2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Historically, the --- at -- has been offering undergraduate programs in architecture, architectural design studies and architectural engineering. Due to an increased interest on the subject of energy efficient buildings, in 2019, the second author of this article along with other faculty members at the ---decided to develop a Graduate Certificate (GC) program for integrative design of the building envelope. In particular, the second author’s expertise in energy, daylighting and high-performance building enclosures, was instrumental towards developing the GC program. This unique program is open to undergraduate students from any discipline at ---, including those pursuing a degree in architecture or architectural engineering at the ---. Students wishing to pursue a GC are required to complete 12 credit hours, which includes at least three courses and a thesis. The students can choose the three courses from a wide range of available courses in architecture, architectural engineering, civil, mechanical and fire engineering. A specific topic of research that culminates into a thesis is typically undertaken under the supervision of at least two advisors representing two areas of expertise at the ---. The eclectic thesis topics range from energy efficiency to structural design of building components. Since the students complete the GC program while pursuing an undergraduate degree, it provides them additional knowledge which they can apply in practice or while pursuing a graduate degree. To date, the --- has produced nineteen graduates who successfully completed the GC program, and there are three additional students on the verge of completing the GC program this year. Out of the nineteen students, most of them are currently pursuing a career in the industry with one of them recently completing a graduate degree elsewhere. Some of the students also presented their work at various conferences, based on the research conducted during the GC program. This article presents a detailed overview of the development of the GC program, besides providing information on the duration of study, coursework and thesis requirements. The paper also highlights how the GC program can contribute towards producing accomplished architects and engineers from the----, despite being different from traditional graduate degrees (master’s and PhD) in architecture offered at most US universities.