Fairmont State University’s Master of Architecture program has received an eight-year term of continuing accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The accreditation is effective from January 1, 2025, and extends through 2033. This marks the first full-term continuing accreditation for the program, following its initial three-year status awarded in 2022.
The university highlighted that this achievement enables West Virginia’s only professional architecture degree program to continue its development and outreach efforts for nearly a decade before its next review.
Bob Kelly, Director of the Fairmont State Architecture Graduate Program and Professor, said, “This new, longer period of accreditation status will allow West Virginia’s only professional degree program in Architecture the space to envision how it can best grow and prosper to benefit the people and communities of the state.” He added, “Through the outreach of both our graduate and undergraduate Architecture programs, we plan to increase our involvement in community revitalization through engagement with preservation, adaptive reuse, and creative deconstruction.”
Faculty and staff involved in securing accreditation were recognized by Fairmont State University. Philip Freeman led the preparation of the Architecture Program Report (APR), with contributions from Kellie Cole, Stacey Bowers, Kirk Morphew, Bob Kelly, and adjunct faculty.
Professor Freeman stated: “Most of our graduate students work in offices locally, and this accreditation helps us expand regionally so that we can recruit more effectively beyond the borders of the state. Through expansion like this, we are developing relationships between graduates who work beyond West Virginia.”
The NAAB’s eight-year approval signals a consistent quality within Fairmont State’s architecture curriculum. Students enrolled in the program are positioned to pursue professional licensure as architects. Further details about academic offerings can be found on Fairmont State University’s website at https://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/programs/master-architecture/default.aspx.
Associate Professor Kellie Cole commented on faculty involvement: “The architecture faculty provide mentorship beyond their courses. Smaller faculties can be invested in diverse components that round out an architecture student’s experience, including facilities maintenance to enhance the studio, technology integration, and extracurricular activities with the American Institute of Architects West Virginia, the state’s professional organization. Students’ exposure to dedicated faculty inspires them to be leaders in their classroom and communities.” She continued: “Our graduate enrollment continues to grow and is nearly at capacity. As West Virginia and our region hire Master of Architecture graduates from Fairmont State University, the impact of holistically designed spaces will expand with us.”
According to university officials, prospective students across West Virginia—and those from outside—will have access to hands-on training as part of their education at Fairmont State’s accredited architecture program.
