Associate degree Architectural and Building Engineering Technology graduates are prepared for a wide range of construction industry-related careers at the technical and design support level. Graduates typically fill responsible positions with architects, engineers, and building contractors and provide all levels of support to the building industry in manufacturing, sale, and governmental administration. Graduates of the program are also prepared to transfer to bachelor degree programs in architecture or engineering, including Vermont Tech's Architectural Engineering Technology program. Graduation from the program at the associate's level (2 or 3 yr.) allows the student the perfect opportunity to make an informed decision relative to his/her career path. Upon earning an associate's degree, students may decide to immediately enter the work force, continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering, or pursue an additional degree in other Vermont Tech engineering programs. This "decision platform" offered to students completing the associate's degree is one of the program's greatest strengths.
Students receive a thorough introduction to the fundamental skills of architectural and engineering drafting, including instruction in CAD systems along with an academic foundation in physics, mathematics, and technical writing. They are also involved with laboratory testing and field observation of construction and design. The very comprehensive two years are rounded out with extensive exposure to architectural design, history, construction materials and methods, structural engineering, surveying, estimating, heating, ventilating, plumbing, and energy-conscious design.
A program highlight is the final senior design course. Working as teams on a hypothetical project in an actual Vermont town, students confer with proposed users of the building and others to determine their real life problems, aspirations, and future goals for the project. Students apply their newly-learned design principles with tasteful respect for the existing structures and test out their own planning skills, all the while conforming to building codes and other real world requirements.
Students may continue on into a Bachelor of Science degree program in Architectural Engineering Technology, Sustainable Design and Technology or Business Technology and Management. Some program graduates transfer to other schools of architecture or engineering to continue working toward a bachelor's degree in these fields.
The program is accredited by the Technology Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC of ABET).
The minimum number of credits required for a degree is 70.
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