Texas A&M University and Tarrant County College have launched the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Tarrant County College and will enroll the first cohort of students in fall 2022. The program will accept applications for the fall through July 31.
The innovative co-enrollment partnership was developed to address the state’s growing need for engineers. Qualified students will be admitted to the Texas A&M College of Engineering, complete the first two years of coursework at Tarrant County College and finish their engineering degrees in College Station, Texas.
“We are pleased to offer students in Fort Worth a unique pathway toward a first-rate degree from an engineering college ranked among the top 10 in the world,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “Our goal is to attract the very best students to Texas A&M Engineering, even if circumstances require them to stay close to home for the first part of their college career.”
The Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Tarrant County College allows students to pursue one of 22 majors within the College of Engineering at Texas A&M.
“The Engineering Academy program is the first engineering transition program of its kind in the country,” said Dr. John E. Hurtado, interim vice chancellor and dean of engineering at Texas A&M. “Students benefit by saving money while still receiving a world-class education that prepares them for a high-demand career. We welcome these students as proud Aggies from day one.”
By offering opportunities like the engineering academies, Texas A&M is able to better serve Texans. Students will save an estimated $4,200 in tuition and fees each semester they are enrolled in an Engineering Academy before transitioning to the Texas A&M campus.
“This partnership is an innovative solution to addressing the need for more high-quality engineers in Texas,” said Tarrant County College Acting Chancellor Elva LeBlanc. “Under this partnership, students in Tarrant County will have an affordable pathway to a four-year engineering degree at Texas A&M University. Tarrant County College is committed to providing pathways for students that help them to achieve their educational goals.”
In Texas, the projected need for engineers in the workforce is 51,000 by 2028. To meet this need, universities and two-year colleges must work together to bridge the gap and attract and retain students who are interested in STEM fields. Students in the Engineering Academy enroll in math, science and core curriculum courses through Tarrant County College and have the unique opportunity to enroll in engineering courses taught by Texas A&M faculty on the Tarrant County College campus.
This newest Engineering Academy in Tarrant County is part of a broader vision of the Texas A&M System’s Board of Regents and Chancellor John Sharp. System leaders have been working with North Texas elected officials to create “Aggieland North,” which will help strengthen the area’s employment base and bring a top-tier research university to the area.
The members of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents are expected next week to take a major step in the creation of “Aggieland North.” At the upcoming board meeting, they will consider adding two facilities – the Texas A&M System Research and Innovation Center and Education Alliance Building – to the System’s Capital Plan.
Visit engineering.tamu.edu/academies for more information about how to apply and other details about the Engineering Academy.