Architectural Engineering
Are you interested in how buildings, bridges and other structures are developed? Are you creative and compelled by how engineering is used to create innovative and inspiring structures that provide function and efficiency?
Detroit Mercy’s 5-year Architectural Engineering program blends these disciplines into one unique and compelling program that allows you to flex your creativity and engineer structures that improve quality of life for everyone.
Whether you’re interested in the structure of a building or the mechanical and electrical systems that bring it to life, Detroit Mercy provides you the education and hands-on opportunities you need to be a successful professional in the world of architectural engineering.
Boundless career possibilities
An Architectural Engineering degree offers you a variety of career opportunities in the fields of architecture, construction/mechanical, plumbing, structural and electrical systems.
Work closely with industry experts
When you study Architectural Engineering at Detroit Mercy, you’ll work closely with full-time faculty with years of industry experience and a commitment to your success. This personalized attention will help you realize your potential and build personal and professional relationships with your mentors. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, this individualized attention ensures your success in and outside the classroom.
Architectural Engineering Degrees
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Undergraduate
4.5-year Bachelor of Architectural Engineering (BAE)
Five-Year Accelerated Programs
Advantages of an accelerated 5-year program:
- Advantages of an accelerated >program
- Some courses during your senior year count towards both undergraduate and graduate requirements
- Ability to take some graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate
- Some of your undergraduate financial aid is extended through your year of graduate study
5.5 Year Bachelor of Architectural Engineering/Master of Civil Engineering (BAE/MCE)
We offer a combined Bachelor of Architectural Engineering and Master of Civil Engineering program for well-prepared high school students entering the University as freshmen. As the program progresses into Masters-level courses, students can focus in one area of Architectural Engineering or take courses among several areas, such as structures, construction, building systems and architecture.
Learn more about the admission and degree requirements for this 5.5-year accelerated program. -
Graduate
After completing your Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program, you'll be prepared for one of our graduate engineering programs based on your focal area. If you are a new Masters student or Detroit Mercy undergraduate student who did not qualify for the accelerated Bachelor/Master program, you may apply for graduate school either online or by completing a written application.
Master of Civil Engineering (MCE)
The Master of Civil Engineering program specializes in structural, geotechnical and environmental engineering. Structural engineering emphasizes finite element methods, computer-aided structural analysis and design, pre-stressed concrete and plastic analysis. Geotechnical engineering focuses on advanced concepts in soil mechanics, soil dynamics, tunneling, earth dams and pavement design. Environmental engineering deals with water and wastewater treatment, chemical and biological unit operations, hazardous waste treatment and pollution prevention.
Learn more about the admission and degree requirements for the Master of Civil Engineering.
Master of Environmental Engineering (MEN)
The Master of Civil Engineering program specializes in structural, geotechnical and environmental engineering. Structural engineering emphasizes finite element methods, computer-aided structural analysis and design, pre-stressed concrete and plastic analysis. Geotechnical engineering focuses on advanced concepts in soil mechanics, soil dynamics, tunneling, earth dams and pavement design. Environmental engineering deals with water and wastewater treatment, chemical and biological unit operations, hazardous waste treatment and pollution prevention.
Learn more about the admission and degree requirements for the Master of Civil Engineering.
Master of Product Development (MSPD)
The Master of Product Development prepares anyone involved in the development of complex engineered products and systems and targets experienced engineers who will lead product development and manufacturing activities into the future. The mission of this graduate program is to develop engineering professionals into future leaders of product development and manufacturing activities through highly integrated sets of learning experiences.
Learn more about the admission and degree requirements for the Master of Product Development.
Master of Mechanical Engineering (MME)
The Master of Mechanical Engineering provides high-quality instruction in both theory and the latest engineering developments. The program consists of several focal areas: entrepreneurship; manufacturing systems; mechatronics systems; thermal/fluid systems and alternative energy conversion; and vehicle systems. Students can explore one focal area or select a variety of courses across multiple focal areas.
Learn more about the admission and degree requirements for the Master of Mechanical Engineering.
Master of Technical Management (MSTM)
A contemporary program designed for practicing engineers, scientists, technical specialists and technical managers, the Master of Technical Management aims to provide students with new technical abilities, business acumen and the leadership skills required of a technical manager. The program features a rich and balanced blend of technical and management courses.
Learn more about the admission and degree requirements for the Master of Technical Management.
"My experience at Detroit Mercy has been one filled with work opportunities, connections and classes that helped streamline my career. The flowcharts for degrees are flexible, and allow for some personalization and minors that would be more difficult or impossible at other schools."
— Algird Szumlas '19
Future networking
Our faculty maintain memberships with professional organizations, including the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), National Society of Professional Engineers or the Engineering Society of Detroit, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to network with professionals.
You have time to decide your major
First-year Architecture and Architectural Engineering students take the same courses, which allows you to see which undergraduate program you would prefer pursuing.
Hands-on, real-world problem solving with clients and classmates
As part of Detroit Mercy’s Jesuit and Mercy mission, you will work on community-based projects right away as part of freshman design course. And You’ll solve real engineering problems for a community partner with your senior capstone project. Click here to learn how one project assisted a local church with water treatment options.
Through our mandatory co-op program, you’ll obtain paid work experiences and gain professional experience that will help you compete in today’s competitive job market.
“The program prepared me as an engineer to enter the professional world.”
— Renee Zaccagni ’13
Outside of the classroom, you can become a student member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, School of Architecture's Dichotomy and participate in the annual concrete canoe competition.
Not sure which program is for you?
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Compare Architectural with Civil and Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering students study how to design pollution control systems and determine how to clean up environmental problems. Civil Engineering is very diverse; graduates can design water treatment facilities, dams, roads, transit systems, bridges and buildings. Architectural Engineering focus on different aspects of designing structures, from style and comfort to the mechanical and electrical systems that bring it to life.
Civil Engineering
Architectural and Civil Engineers both work on the design of buildings. You can work in building design and construction with any of these degrees: Architecture, Architectural Engineering or Civil Engineering. All focus on different aspects of building design. Architects focus on comfort and aesthetics. Engineers focus on how to construct the structures. Both focus on economics and usefulness, but in different ways. Architectural Engineers do both.
But there are several other areas of Civil Engineering. If you liked your math and science courses in high school more than other courses, then you may enjoy Engineering more than Architectural Engineering. You can focus within any of those areas of Civil Engineering or take a general set of courses. (Learn more: Civil Engineering)
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineers can sometimes become very specialized. This provides you more possibilities for career placement after graduation compared to other environmental engineering programs. If an environmental student wants to deeply specialize, then they can take graduate level courses in specific areas such as water or ground/land pollution. (Learn more: Environmental Engineering)
Architectural Engineering
Architectural Engineering is for students who enjoyed math and science in high school but also want to express their creative side. Detroit Mercy’s program is unique because first year Architectural and Architectural Engineering students take the same courses, which helps in deciding between the two disciplines.
Architectural Engineering consists of three main areas: structural, construction and mechanical and electrical. If you like working outside, construction might be for you. Like performing calculations but also envision what buildings look like? Consider the structural focus. If you want to create energy efficient designs, think about the mechanical and electrical area. You can focus on one of these areas or take a general set of courses.
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Compare Architectural Engineering with Architecture
Architectural Engineering and Architectural. Both programs are similar yet have distinct differences. Architects focus on comfort and aesthetics. Architectural Engineers focus on those elements, as well as how to construct the structures, economics and usefulness.
Detroit Mercy’s program is unique because first year Architectural and Architectural Engineering students take the same courses, which helps in deciding between the two disciplines.
Architecture
Architecture can be more than buildings. It can involve the design and renovation of spaces within buildings or work with community groups to create neighbor revitalization plans. If you least enjoyed math and science in high school, but thrived in art and the other courses, then you may enjoy architecture the most. (Learn more: Architecture.
Architectural Engineering
Architectural Engineering is for students who enjoyed math and science in high school but also want to express their creative side. The program consists of three main areas: structural, construction and mechanical and electrical. If you like working outside, construction might be for you. Like performing calculations but also envision what buildings look like? Consider the structural focus. If you want to create energy efficient designs, think about the mechanical and electrical area. You can focus on one of these areas or take a general set of courses.
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Accreditation
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.