MS in Architectural Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Miami

Program Overview

The University of Miami’s M.S. in Architectural Engineering develops advanced technical expertise in architectural engineering and prepares students to apply engineering knowledge to complex professional problems, with thesis and non-thesis options available. Students can specialize in areas such as Integrated Building Systems and MEP Systems, while studying advanced subjects across civil and architectural engineering, construction management, and related disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: Students begin advanced graduate study through 700-level and 600-level CAE coursework, building deeper expertise in areas such as CAE 711 – Theory of Elasticity, CAE 712 – Structural Reliability, and CAE 714 – Structural Dynamics. In the non-thesis pathway, students also undertake CAE 605 – Master’s Project, while the thesis pathway develops independent research through CAE 810 – Master’s Thesis.

Year Two: The second year, where applicable in the thesis-based plan, allows students to complete additional advanced electives while progressing toward the required 30 graduate-level credits and completing the CAE 810 – Master’s Thesis. Elective study can extend into areas such as CAE 716 – Fracture Mechanics, CAE 720 – Concrete Materials Science, and approved graduate courses in construction management or other University of Miami departments.

Focus areas: Integrated Building Systems, MEP Systems, structural engineering, structural materials, construction management, building engineering, advanced civil and architectural engineering.

Learning outcomes: Advanced knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering within a chosen architectural engineering specialty; advanced ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems; ability to generate technical contributions and communicate effectively with the scientific community.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Miami states that its undergraduate Architectural Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; the M.S. in Architectural Engineering is a graduate degree and is not separately identified as ABET-accredited on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings): A current program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking is not stated on the official University of Miami M.S. Architectural Engineering page, so no third-party ranking is substituted. The university does state that the department maintains close working relationships with government agencies, industry, and health sciences, supporting students' technical, professional, problem-solving and leadership development.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the M.S. in Architectural Engineering at the University of Miami develop practical expertise in integrated building systems, MEP systems, energy-efficient design, building energy modeling, and computer-aided architectural engineering design. The program combines advanced technical coursework with opportunities for independent study, master's special projects, thesis research, and access to the University’s engineering laboratories and architecture facilities.

The program’s practical and research-oriented learning is supported by:

Computer-Aided Design: CAE 661 – Computer Aided Architecture Engineering Design develops advanced digital design capabilities relevant to architectural engineering practice.
Building Energy Modeling: CAE 682 – Building Energy Modeling and Simulation provides specialized experience in analyzing and simulating building energy performance.
Energy-Efficient Design: CAE 681 – Energy-Efficient Building Design gives students hands-on analytical experience related to sustainable and energy-conscious building design.
Building Systems: Students can develop expertise in integrated building systems and MEP systems, the program’s stated architectural-engineering specialty areas.
Research Laboratories: The College of Engineering maintains well-equipped laboratories that support graduate instruction and sponsored research, providing an environment for advanced engineering investigation.
Independent Research: Students may undertake CAE Independent Study (Special Problems), a Master's Thesis, or Master's Special Projects, allowing them to apply advanced architectural-engineering knowledge to focused research or design problems.
Construction Experience: Students can choose CAE 769 – Construction Management Capstone Internship, providing an opportunity for practical experience within construction management.
Architecture Facilities: The School of Architecture provides access to the Thomas B. Murphy Design Studio, B.E. & W.R. Miller Build Lab, Fabrication Lab, LU_Lab, RAD Lab, Computer Lab, Model Shop, Photo Lab, and Paul Buisson Library.
Engineering Environment: The McArthur Engineering Building houses state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities supporting engineering education and research on the Coral Gables campus.
Facilities & Tools: The program's wider engineering curriculum includes AutoCAD, Revit Structure and MEP, BIM, GIS, MATLAB and computer-aided drafting, demonstrating the University’s broader digital-engineering environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Architectural Engineering at the University of Miami prepares graduates for advanced technical careers in building systems, engineering design, and the planning, construction, and operation of commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. Students develop advanced expertise in areas such as Integrated Building Systems and MEP Systems, while the program’s thesis and non-thesis pathways support both professional practice and research-oriented progression.

Typical job roles: Architectural Engineer, Building Systems Engineer, MEP Engineer, Building Design/Engineering Consultant: University of Miami identifies consulting firms, construction companies, facility-management companies, HVAC equipment manufacturers, architectural firms, government agencies, and universities as employment settings for architectural engineers.

Career services: The Toppel Career Center supports graduate students and alumni through career advising, networking events, career fairs, employer presentations, on-campus recruiting, practice interviews, workshops, and Handshake access to thousands of job and internship opportunities.
Employment statistics: University of Miami provides real-time job-market data through its engineering career resources, including employment trends, occupations, employers, technical skills, and career information; a program-specific employment rate for the M.S. in Architectural Engineering is not stated on the official sources reviewed.
Salary figures: The University provides access to salary and earnings data through its career-market tools, but a specific M.S. Architectural Engineering graduate salary or median is not stated on the official program pages reviewed.
Industry partnerships: The CAE department reports long-standing working relationships with government agencies, industry, and health sciences, giving students exposure to professional environments and strengthening technical, problem-solving, and leadership capabilities.
Professional value: The program is designed to prepare graduates for professional careers in industry and government, with advanced technical knowledge and the ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates are prepared for professional careers involving the planning, design, construction, and operation of engineered building systems, including structural, electrical, lighting, HVAC, fire-protection, plumbing, acoustic, communications, and control systems.
Research pathway: The thesis option includes CAE 810 – Master's Thesis, allowing students to undertake advanced research and make technical contributions to the engineering community.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S. in Architectural Engineering, students can progress to the University of Miami’s Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with an Architectural Engineering emphasis, providing a route into advanced research and academic careers. Students may also pursue related graduate study within the university, including the M.S. in Civil Engineering, while University of Miami also offers architectural pathways such as the Master of Architecture and related dual-degree options.