Master of Science in Architectural Engineering

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Durham School gives students hands-on exposure to building systems, simulation, visualization, environmental performance, lighting, acoustics, structures, and construction technologies. The program benefits from the Peter Kiewit Institute’s specialized laboratories and collaboration spaces, while UNL’s architectural engineering environment also connects students with industry through projects, site visits, mentoring, and professional firms in Omaha.

Students can develop practical and research skills through these program-specific opportunities:

• BIM and visualization: The Kiewit Modeling, Simulation & Visualization Laboratory provides 15 specialized student workstations and a 15-panel visualization wall for building information modeling, computer modeling, teaching, and research.
• Industry software: The Rasmussen Educational Laboratory provides powerful PCs with dual HD displays and software used for estimating, scheduling, and Building Information Modeling (BIM), alongside large-screen workstations for collaborative work.
• Architectural design software: UNL's Architectural Engineering curriculum specifically uses Autodesk Revit, FormIt, Dynamo, and Trimble SketchUp for virtual modeling, BIM, conceptual design, and iterative technical problem-solving.
• Acoustics research: The Acoustic Sound Booth at the Peter Kiewit Institute is a dedicated research space where students can conduct experiments related to everyday acoustics.
• Environmental systems: The Environmental Testing Chambers allow controlled testing of equipment such as air-conditioning systems under realistic conditions, with temperature control from −20°F to 130°F and relative humidity from 5% to 95%.
• Lighting and electrical systems: The Lighting and Electrical Lab contains more than 300 lighting options and banks of electrical equipment for hands-on exploration of building lighting and electrical systems.
• HVAC: The dedicated HVAC Systems Laboratory provides a specialized environment for learning and experimentation with building mechanical systems.
• Structural and materials testing: Students have access to the Structural Testing Lab, Mechanical Testing Lab, and Portland Cement and Bituminous Material Lab, supporting practical investigation of structural materials and construction performance.
• Collaborative learning: The Durham School Collaboration Space/Technology Lab provides high-speed computers, a rendering machine, whiteboards, and study space, while the MAE Collaboration Space provides high-performance computers, rendering resources, and collaborative work areas.
• Industry exposure: Students can gain real-world experience through construction site visits, hands-on projects, industry mentors, internships, and professional networking with architectural engineering and construction firms in Omaha, including HDR, DLR Group, Leo A Daly, and Kiewit.
• Global/site learning: The program highlights global site visits, faculty-led travel, and industry-sponsored learning, allowing students to examine building systems and professional projects in real-world settings.
• Research opportunities: UNL also houses research groups relevant to architectural engineering, including the Human-Centered Integrated Building Operations Lab, which investigates smart buildings, occupant comfort, building envelopes, energy analysis and simulation, sensing, and controls.
• Living-learning environment: The Peter Kiewit Institute functions as a living-learning laboratory, with specialized facilities covering lighting, heating and cooling, computer-aided manufacturing, imaging and animation, robotics, and construction. 

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering (M.S.A.E.) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a research-oriented degree designed to prepare graduates for professional positions in building design and manufacturing firms where advanced research skills are valuable, as well as for doctoral study. Students can specialize in building acoustical, electrical, lighting, mechanical, structural systems, systems integration, or smart buildings, creating strong pathways into specialized architectural-engineering careers.

Typical career roles include: Architectural Engineer, Building Systems Engineer, Building Performance Engineer, Research Engineer.

Career development and progression opportunities:

• Career services: Nebraska Engineering provides employer engagement through Industry in Residence, where employers meet Architectural Engineering students on the Scott Campus to discuss their organizations, open positions, internships and career opportunities. The Durham School also hosts a Career Fair connecting students with employers from Nebraska and nationally.
• Industry mentorship: The Durham School has an Architectural Engineering Industry Advisory Committee (AEIAC) that maintains a continuing connection between the academic community and the practicing profession. Its industry fellows include professionals from HDR, Kiewit, BVH Architecture, JE Dunn, Farris Engineering and Clark & Enersen, providing direct links to the architectural-engineering and construction sector.
• Employment exposure: Omaha provides access to major AEC firms including HDR, DLR Group, Leo A Daly and Kiewit, giving students opportunities for professional networking, internships and employment in a major architectural-engineering and construction hub.
• Employment statistics: The Durham School's published historical placement data for its Master of Architectural Engineering (M.A.E.) recorded 100% employment in the AE industry in each of the 2014–15 through 2017–18 cohorts, with average starting salaries ranging from $56,734 to $59,970 during those years. These figures relate specifically to the professional M.A.E., not the research-oriented M.S.A.E., so they should not be presented as current M.S.A.E. salary outcomes.
• Industry partnerships: The Durham School works closely with industry through its advisory structures and research collaborations; its broader AEC network includes firms such as HDR, Kiewit, DLR Group, BVH Architecture, JE Dunn and Farris Engineering. The school also emphasizes mutually beneficial industry collaboration focused on performance, sustainability, occupant comfort, well-being and safety in the built environment.
• Long-term accreditation value: The M.S.A.E. itself is a research-oriented graduate degree, while UNL's professional Master of Architectural Engineering (M.A.E.) is the ABET-accredited architectural-engineering degree. UNL's official accreditation listing shows the M.A.E. accredited by ABET from 2024–2030, so the M.S.A.E. should not be marketed as an ABET-accredited professional degree.
• Graduation outcomes: The university specifically identifies the M.S.A.E. as a pathway into professional building-design and manufacturing positions requiring research expertise or into doctoral-level specialized architectural-engineering study.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S.A.E., students interested in advanced research can progress to UNL's Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering, where they develop specialized research expertise in building acoustical, electrical, lighting, mechanical, structural systems, systems integration or smart buildings. The Ph.D. provides an individualized research pathway under faculty supervision and can support long-term careers in advanced research, academia and specialized building-systems development.