Masters in Architectural Engineering

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Colorado Boulder

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering (Professional MS) at the University of Colorado Boulder is a career-focused program for engineers and related professionals who want advanced expertise in the design, operation, sustainability, data, and performance of buildings. Students complete 30 credit hours through a selected subplan, combining core study with electives across areas such as building energy, building decarbonization, lighting and daylighting, indoor environmental quality, structural engineering, data science, and construction engineering and management.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their technical foundation through core courses such as AREN 5001 Building Science and Engineering I and AREN 5002 Building Science and Engineering II, then develop specialized expertise through courses such as AREN 5030 Data Science for Energy and Buildings, AREN 5890 Sustainable Building Design, or AREN 5010 Energy System Modeling and Control, depending on their chosen subplan. The curriculum combines required study with graduate-level electives, allowing students to tailor their learning toward professional goals in areas such as energy, smart buildings, sustainability, lighting, structural systems, or construction management.

Extended completion: Although the program can be completed in approximately 12–18 months according to the current catalog, CU Boulder notes that students may take longer depending on course planning and their selected pathway. Students who want research-based study may transfer from the Professional Master's Program to the traditional MS in Architectural Engineering during their first semester with faculty-advisor approval.

Focus areas: Building Energy; Data Science for Buildings; Building Decarbonization; Lighting and Daylighting; Indoor Environmental Quality for Buildings; Structural Engineering; Construction Engineering and Management.

Learning outcomes: Master architectural engineering fundamentals; analyze and develop advanced solutions that improve building performance and construction; communicate technical knowledge through effective presentations and writing.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Architectural Engineering BS at CU Boulder is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the Architectural Engineering Program Criteria; the university does not state that the Professional MS itself is separately ABET-accredited.

Reputation (employability rankings): Top 10 public graduate engineering program — CU Boulder’s Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering is ranked among the top 10 public graduate engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report; the university also reports a $87,689 median salary for its architectural engineering graduates 6–10 years after graduation, although this salary figure is presented for the architectural engineering program overall rather than specifically for the Professional MS.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder gives students practical exposure to the design, operation and optimization of building systems, with opportunities to work across building energy, lighting, indoor environmental quality, structural engineering, construction management and related areas. Graduate students can apply classroom concepts through hands-on projects, laboratory research and industry-connected work, supported by specialized architectural engineering facilities and advanced computing resources.

Practical projects: Students gain applied experience through hands-on projects, laboratory work and research addressing real-world building and infrastructure challenges.
Larson Building Systems Laboratory: Students can work with a full-scale commercial HVAC system, representative commercial building zones, controllable HVAC loads, and sophisticated data-acquisition and control systems to investigate HVAC controls, thermal response, ventilation and indoor-air-quality systems.
Lighting Laboratory: The facility supports architectural lighting, daylighting and lighting-control research using a dynamic ceiling, goniophotometer, illumination and luminance meters, chromaticity meters, lighting mock-ups and controllable luminaires.
Lighting software: The Lighting Laboratory uses Lutron Quantum Software to control lighting groups and daylight-shading configurations for academic and research activities.
Computing facilities: CEAE provides state-of-the-art software and computing centers, including the Bechtel Laboratory, Computer-Aided Design Laboratory and M.Y. Leung Computational Laboratory, supporting engineering analysis and computational work.
Structural research: Students pursuing the structural engineering focus can access the Center for Infrastructure, Energy and Space Testing (CIEST), which supports large- and small-scale structural testing, shake-table experiments, material testing and real-time hybrid simulations.
Materials testing: The Structural and Materials Laboratory includes MTS universal testing machines for tension and compression testing of structural and geological materials, together with equipment for concrete and steel testing.
Industry experience: Qualified graduate students can pursue cooperative employment during the academic year or summer with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, major mechanical/electrical and design-build engineering firms, and local energy-analysis companies.
Research opportunities: Graduate students can participate in research within building energy, lighting, building systems and other architectural engineering areas using CU Boulder’s specialized laboratories and research facilities.
Industry-connected learning: The program reports connections with employers including AE Designs, ARCO, Cushing Terrell, HLB, Kiewit, ME Engineers, Mortenson, PAE Consulting Engineers, Walter P. Moore and The Weitz Company, giving students exposure to professional architectural engineering and construction environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder prepares graduates for specialized careers in building performance, sustainable design, construction, energy systems and advanced building technologies. With seven professional specializations and strong connections to architectural, engineering, construction and government employers, the program is designed to move students directly into high-value roles in the built environment.

Typical job roles: Architectural Engineer, Building Energy Engineer, Building Performance Engineer, Construction Engineering Manager: Graduates can work across engineering and architecture firms, construction companies, national laboratories and technology companies, depending on their chosen specialization.

Career services: Students benefit from CEAE career fairs, graduate advising and employer connections, while the program specifically reports a record of placing graduates with leading architectural and construction firms and government agencies.
Employment statistics: 90% of students obtain employment within six months of graduation, according to CU Boulder’s official Architectural Engineering master's program page.
Salary information: CU Boulder states that completing a master's degree can lead to higher salaries and career advancement, and cites a State of Colorado Return on Investment Report indicating engineers with a master's degree earn 20% more at any stage of their career than those with only an undergraduate degree. A specific Architectural Engineering graduate salary is not stated on the official program page.
Industry partnerships: Students can access cooperative employment opportunities with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), major mechanical, electrical and design-build engineering firms, and local energy-analysis companies. CU Boulder also identifies employers of graduates including Kiewit, Mortenson, PAE Consulting Engineers, Walter P. Moore, ME Engineers, ARCO and The Weitz Company.
Professional specializations: Students can build a targeted career profile through Building Energy, Data Science for Buildings, Building Decarbonization, Lighting and Daylighting, Indoor Environmental Quality for Buildings, Structural Engineering, or Construction Engineering and Management.
Accreditation value: CU Boulder confirms that its Architectural Engineering bachelor's degree is ABET-accredited, but its master's programs do not currently seek ABET accreditation. Therefore, the master's provides advanced specialization without claiming a separate ABET accreditation for the degree itself.
Graduation outcomes: More than 80% of CU Boulder civil and architectural graduate alumni in a recent survey reported receiving job offers or continuing their education within six months of graduation, while the dedicated Architectural Engineering master's page reports 90% employment within six months.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Professional Master’s, students interested in research can transfer to CU Boulder’s traditional research-based Master of Science in Architectural Engineering during their first semester, subject to faculty-advisor approval. The MS can be completed through a thesis or project-based route, while students seeking advanced research or academic careers can progress to the PhD in Architectural Engineering, with research opportunities in areas such as building energy, data science for buildings, building decarbonization, lighting and daylighting, indoor environmental quality, structural engineering and construction engineering and management.