Integrated Bachelor's/Master's Program???

jay001 · 10-30-2009, 01:43 PM

posted this in the Arch forum but no one answered, maybe this is best suited in here

Integrated Bachelor's/Master's Program???
Let me first start by stating my situation;

I'm an Architectural Engineering Major in a Community College, in my third semester right now.

Arch.Eng. is one of those programs that are only offer by a handful of institution of which only a few are actually accredited (About 16 if I'm not mistaken)

where I'm at right now, It's currently not offer in any institution, so going OUT-OF-STATE is inevitably imminent.

So I'm also really interested in Architecture, though not as much as in Engineering ("and please please please !!! don't come here trying to explain to me that Architecture and Architectural Engineering are 2 complete different thing because I already know that, I just happen to like both, ok") so I found some pretty good Integrated Bachelor's and Master's programs where you get a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and a M.S. in Architecture, which is great 'cause that basically means that I'll be able to get both licenses. So, I've decided that that's the way I want to go.

Only Problem Though is that I have only found 3 of those programs so far, one at UT of Austin, another at Cal Poly SLO and the other at Penn State if I'm not mistaken. and I honestly know that I won't get accepted in any of those places to begin with.

So do you guys know of any University/College that offers that kind of program where I could get a B.S in Arch.Eng and a M.Arch? Time is not really an Issue for me, I don't mind if the Program last 6 years or so

What University with this specific Program would you recommend me ??

P.S. my biggest fear right now is that after finishing my A.A. I don't get accepted into any program whatsoever(because most of the colleges that do offer Architectural Engineering are pretty selective with really low acceptance rate, and taking into account that First, I'd be an out of state, second: my gpa is pretty low "3.0 to be exact", and third, I'm an international Student, and after seen the thread about "transferring to a good College from a CC" it kind of brought me down. I can't imagine myself finishing my Associate of Arts degree yet not being able to continue my education, it juts scares me to death ('cause we all know that nowadays an A.A alone, it's worth nothing )
jay001 is online now

Techy233 · 10-30-2009, 01:47 PM

People often forget that general admissions into Penn State is very, very easy if you just apply on time. Quite a few Penn State campuses have acceptance rates in the 90s with SAT scores in the high 300s-400s. Yes, you read that correctly. You may not get into University Park, but you can start at a branch campus {like Berks, Schuylkill Haven, Tech, etc}, manage a 2.5 and then have an almost guaranteed transfer into U.Park. Rolling admissions, so apply a.s.a.p.

jay001 · 10-30-2009, 02:06 PM

90 % are you kidding me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the thing is though, what if they don't offer that specific progr4am in those campuses

now back to my bombshell; 90 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Techy233 · 10-30-2009, 09:44 PM

They will always offer the pre-reqs. Many people take 5-6 to finish Arch programs. Once you get to U.Park, you finish up. It is almost a guaranteed transfer. Most are in the 80s, but it is a self-selecting group of people.

Do you have an OK SAT score? Do your research! There's more out there than you've just assumed.

ken285 · 10-30-2009, 09:52 PM

I thought Penn State's program was a bachelor's and a masters, both in architectural engineering (not architecture). Is this something different?

jay001 · 10-31-2009, 01:05 AM

ken285, I'm talking about s.t. different.

Penn State has both programs though, but the one I'm interested in is the one in which you receive a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and a Master in Architecture so I can get both Licenses.

I just found out University of Miami also offers it.

this is the description of their program in their website:
"B.S.A.E./M.Arch.
The six-year B.S.A.E/M.Arch. program leads to the B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering and the professional Master of Architecture. The program is open to exceptional students who follow a specific curriculum and are admitted to the graduate program at the end of their junior year. Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible for professional registration as both an engineer and an architect."
Miami Architecture | B.S.A.E./M.Arch.

ken285 · 10-31-2009, 07:39 AM

If you really want both an architectural engineering degree and an architecture degree, have you considered getting the both separately? Get the ArchE degree first and then apply for a MArch at the end of undergrad? That would expand the number of schools you can look into.

MaineLonghorn · 10-31-2009, 09:55 AM

Texas does have the dual Arch E / Architecture degree. The entire time I was at Texas (6 years, for BS and MS), I knew of only one person who went that route. It was VERY demanding. You're right, it's very hard to get into ANY engineering department at Texas, and Arch E and Biomed are the two most selective. I like ken285's idea better.

ken285 · 10-31-2009, 10:08 AM

Another thing to consider is how you would get the professional experience to qualify for both the engineering and architecture licensing exams. If you do engineering for undergrad and get your MArch right afterwards, chances are you'll get hired for an architecture position. Then you'd have to go through your IDP before sitting for the exam. Once you're a registered architect, how would you convince a firm to give you a position as an engineer after being involved in architecture for the past 6 years?

My suggestion would be:
- Get the architectural engineering degree
- Work as an engineer
- Pass the P.E. exam
- Go back to school for an MArch
- Work as an architect intern
- Pass the required ARE's

The pitfall with my suggestion is that you'd have to manage your finances very well.

jay001 · 10-31-2009, 03:29 PM

ken, the problem is that as much as I like School, I don't wanna be there forever,if you know what i mean.

6 six years is just fine, but getting both degrees separately will be an ordeal. I mean, just imagine, must likely I'm going to be working full-time once I graduate an get my B.S. in Arch.Eng. and ON TOP OF THAT still will be in school as well, studying Architecture, and for how many years?

That's crazy man!...

so, I'll just stick with the Integrated/Accelerated program.

rick12 · 11-03-2009, 08:01 AM

Jay, I will answer your PM here. I think people have given you solid advice, but you do not seem interested in taking it. You are in a community college with a 3.0 average, but you feel you need to be in a joint arch eng/arch program even though;

a) It makes very little professional sense.
b) It is incredibly demanding academically.
c) It will be very difficult to gain admission.

I would not want to keep anyone from pursuing their dream, so go ahead and send in your application to Penn State and Texas for the programs you want. My only suggestion would be to have a backup plan. Send some applications to just engineering or architecture programs where you will have a reasonable chance for admission and let the chips fall where they may.

rick

jay001 · 11-03-2009, 01:55 PM

thankx rick

I think I'll use ken's plan would be my backup plan, though I won't go for it if I get into an integrated program.

something interested you said was that I could "Send some applications to just architecture programs where you will have a reasonable chance for admission.

so does that means that I can actually apply for an architecture programs with an Associated degree in Architectural Engineering ??

rick12 · 11-03-2009, 08:29 PM

Jay, there may well be programs that allow you an associates degree in engineering, you just need to enquire at the individual schools.

rick

G.P.Burdell · 11-03-2009, 09:16 PM

Maybe a dumb question, but after reading more about architectural engineering - what is the difference between that and structural engineering?

Structural may not be ideal, but if the main issue is a lack of Arch. Eng. programs and the potential to not get into any of them, why not look at some of the hundreds of structural programs out there?

ken285 · 11-03-2009, 09:22 PM

Architectural engineering incorporates all fields that relate to the construction of buildings. For example, Penn State's program has construction management, structural engineering, mechanical, lighting, electrical, architecture and acoustics. Structural engineering is only one aspect.