Assessment of an Architectural Engineering Technology Program

Abstract Students applying to a four-year ABET accredited B.Sc. Architectural Engineering Technology Program often question how this program differs from a five-year pre-professional NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture program, other than the duration of study. Although Architectural Engineering Technology graduates have traditionally been the support staff to licensed architects, graduates from this program can also become licensed architects in many states. To reach this goal however, it takes Architectural Engineering Technology graduates four years longer post-graduation than their Bachelor of Architecture peers in New York State. This time lag places B. Sc. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates at a disadvantage, and may affect the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for this type of program. Additionally, students from both programs have the opportunity to reduce the time to licensure by one year by completing an NAAB accredited Master of Architecture Program. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the need for architectural technicians in the job market, and to assess and compare a four-year B.Sc. Architectural Engineering Technology Program to an NAAB-accredited five-year Bachelor of Architecture program. The relative benefits of offering students different tracks to provide both options at one institution will also be evaluated. Two main questions are asked: Is it feasible to maintain a B.Sc. Architectural Engineering Technology Program and offer a pre-professional NAAB Bachelor of Architecture Program at the same institution? Alternatively, how would the addition of a NAAB accredited Master of Architecture Program to the ABET Architectural Engineering Technology Program benefit graduates? A qualitative survey of students in an Architectural Engineering Technology Program will also be presented. This assessment was funded by a Title III Students First campus grant for assessment. The relative benefit of performing a periodic program assessment of this type for programs in general will be discussed.