Master of Science:

The UNL Master of Science in Architectural Engineering degree was created to meet the diverse needs of the building industry. The engineering of buildings is a large field, with many positions available in each of the specialties offered by the university.

There are approximately 10,000 firms in the United States engaged in the engineering design of buildings. Nebraska has more than its share of these architectural/engineering firms, including several of the largest in the country. The demand for qualified engineers is largely unsatisfied, both in Nebraska and elsewhere, because of the small number of architectural engineering programs in the country. In fact, approximately 16 accredited architectural engineering programs are currently in operation in the U.S., including the program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering is housed at the College of Engineering's Omaha campus (PKI). The degree program is a research-oriented program preparing graduates for:

• Professional positions in building design and manufacturing firms where research skills are beneficial
• Graduate study in a specialized field of architectural engineering at the doctoral level (see the College of Engineering unified PH.D. degree - Architectural Engineering specialization)

The M.S. will provide research experience and depth of knowledge in one of the specialized areas of architectural engineers:

• Building HVAC systems
• Building structural systems
• Building lighting systems
• Building electrical systems
• Building acoustical systems
• Or an integration of these systems

Degree Requirements

• Minimum of 30 graduate semester hours of academic work
  • At least eight credit hours must be completed in addition to the thesis in selected courses available exclusively to graduate students (900 level or 800 level, without any 400 level or lower counterparts).
  • Sample Courses
• Research-based master's thesis -- six semester hours
  • The thesis will reveal a capacity to conduct an independent study or research project and will demonstrate the candidate's ability to use the research techniques appropriate to the field of investigation.
  • Requires approximately one year of research work

Academic specialties will be selected from the following areas of building science:

• Acoustics
• Electrical Systems
• Lighting Systems
• Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Systems
• Structural Systems

Admission Requirements

The M.S. degree program is designed for those who have a B.S. in a field of engineering. Individuals with rigorous, closely related, science-intensive undergraduate degrees are also eligible for this graduate degree program of study.

The grade point average (GPA) criterion for admission to the Master of Science program with full standing requires a baccalaureate degree in engineering with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale. Students who have a GPA close to the required value and who are judged to have the capability of successfully completing the program may be provisionally admitted.

• Application Deadlines: 2/15 - fall; 9/15 - spring
• Entrance Exam: GRE preferred but not required
• TOEFL Score: 550 Paper Based Test, 213 Computer Based Test and 80 Internet Based Test