Master of Science in Architecture–Engineering–Construction Management
MSAECM
The Master of Science in Architecture–Engineering–Construction Management (MSAECM) program is jointly offered by the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. The MSAECM program prepares building industry professionals for careers dealing with the entire life cycle of projects, including pre-design, design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and demolition/deconstruction stages. Graduates of our program are effective decision makers who can positively impact economic, environmental, and social aspects of the built environment through advanced management strategies and technologies.
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Associate Teaching Professor & AECM Track Chair
Program Overview
The MSAECM degree program is intended for practitioners, researchers, and educators in architecture, engineering, construction management, and other professionals in the building industry who wish to be leaders in advanced management technologies and their application to the built environment. Recent graduates of the program are project engineers, project managers, construction managers, facility managers, owner's representatives, real estate developers, neighborhood development professionals, and sustainability consultants.
The program offers two options — the standard 16-month MSAECM program and the 9-month MSAECM Fast Track program — to accommodate flexibility in the admission and graduation needs of candidates through program length and prerequisite courses that build up toward more advanced courses. Both versions begin in the fall semester.
The standard 16-month MSAECM program is designed for applicants that have recently graduated with a degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, and/or other related degrees. Students admitted to the standard MSAECM program must complete a minimum residency of three academic semesters at full-time status (minimum of 36 units per semester).
The 9-month MSAECM Fast Track program is custom-designed for mid-career applicants with extensive professional training and experience in AECM fields. Admission to the Fast Track program is contingent upon a resume review documenting a minimum of eight years of leadership experience in architecture, engineering, and/or construction management. Students admitted to the MSAECM Fast Track program must complete a minimum residency of two academic semesters at full-time status (minimum of 36 units per semester).
Please feel free to contact Track Chair Joshua Lee with questions about the MSAECM program.
Program Curriculum
Students of both options of the MSAECM program work with the track chair to create a program of study that reflects each student's background and career goals by taking a mixture of appropriate core courses; "selectives" in sustainability assessment, management, computational skills, and quantitative modeling; and approved electives. Students in the 16-month program are also required to complete a summer internship course during the summer semester, as well as a synthesis course that allows them to apply the theory covered in core courses to a local research project.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements for the 16-month MSAECM Program:
In addition to the standard requirements for all graduate students in the School of Architecture, students in the MSAECM program must satisfy the following:
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units as outlined on the curriculum chart below.
Core Courses (75 units): 12-411: Project Management for Construction; 48-620*: Graduate Seminar: Situating Research (3 units); 48-725*: Real Estate Design & Development (12 units); 48-763*: Sustainable Design & Management for Uncertain Futures (12 units); 12-794: Graduate Seminar (0 units); 48-759*: Value Based Design (6 units); 48-711*: Paradigms of Research in Architecture (6 units); 48-767*: Transdisciplinary Thinking; 48-765*: AECM Synthesis Project.
- Two semesters of 12-794 Graduate Seminar, 48-725 Real Estate Design & Development, 48-759 Value Based Design, 48-767 Transdisciplinary Thinking, and 48-765 AECM Synthesis Project.
Required Internship: See "SoA Standards, Policies, & Practices for Graduate Programs, Outside Work and Internships" in the handbook below for additional requirements.
Selectives: 12 units each in the "or/and" categories of Sustainability Assessment, Quantitative Modeling, Management, and Computational Skills. Students are encouraged to take the other selective courses as electives.
Approved Electives: A minimum of 36 units as noted on the chart or by petition. Prerequisites count towards this total.
A maximum of 54 units per semester.
Grade of B or better in architecture courses marked with an asterisk (*) on the curriculum chart.
Advanced standing is available to qualified CMU students within the B.A. in Architecture or B.Arch or other master's programs through the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP).
Graduation Requirements for the MSAECM Fast Track Program:
Students must complete a minimum of 96 units as outlined on the curriculum chart below.
Core Courses: Two semesters of 12-794 Graduate Seminar, 48-725 Real Estate Design & Development, and 48-759 Value Based Design. 48-767 Transdisciplinary Thinking and 48-765 AECM Synthesis Project are not required but are encouraged as electives.
Internship: Not required.
Selectives: 12 units each in the "or/and" categories of Sustainability Assessment, Quantitative Modeling, Management, and Computational Skills. Students are encouraged to take the other selective courses as electives.
Approved Electives: A minimum of 36 units as noted on the chart or by petition. Prerequisites count towards this total.
A maximum of 54 units per semester.
Grade of B or better in courses marked with an asterisk (*) on the curriculum chart.
Advanced standing is available to qualified CMU students within the B.A. in Architecture or B.Arch or other master's programs through the Graduate Accelerated Master's Program (GAMP).
Graduates of both versions of the MSAECM program will work with the track chair to create a program of study that reflects each student's background and career goals by taking a mixture of appropriate prerequisites; core courses; "selectives" in Sustainability Assessment, Management, Computational Skills, and Quantitative Modeling; and approved electives.
In addition, 16-month students are required to complete a summer internship course during the summer semester, and a synthesis course to apply theory they have covered in core courses to a local research project.
View the AECM Synthesis Reports:
- AECM Synthesis 2024 Report: AI for Public Interest Design
- AECM Synthesis 2023 Report: Adaptive Reuse in Pittsburgh
- AECM Synthesis Report 2022: Exploring Circular Economy Potential in Pittsburgh's Construction Industry
- AECM Synthesis Report 2021: Pre/Re/De-construction: Investigating the Eco-socio-technical Impacts of Construction Waste in Pittsburgh
Residency Requirement
Students admitted to the standard MSAECM program must complete a minimum residency of three academic semesters at full-time status (minimum of 36 units per semester).
Students admitted to the standard MSAECM FAST TRACK program must complete a minimum residency of two academic semesters at full-time status (minimum of 36 units per semester).
Program Faculty
The MSAECM faculty is comprised of experienced educators from the School of Architecture, the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and the Heinz College of Public Policy & Management. This interdisciplinary faculty provides a strong foundation for gaining both breadth and depth of knowledge in this multifaceted program.
For more information about CMU's MSAECM program, please contact Track Chair Joshua Lee.
Affiliated Faculty, Professor & Dean of the College of Engineering
Adjunct Faculty
Associate Professor, CBPD Co-Director, DDes Track Chair & Director for Student Affairs
Affiliated Faculty, AVP Facilities Management & CEE Adjunct Professor
Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct Faculty
University Professor
Associate Teaching Professor & AECM Track Chair
Affiliated Faculty & CEE Assistant Professor
Adjunct Faculty
Assistant Professor in Building Technology, BPD Track Chair & CBPD Co-Director
Special Faculty & Facilities Director
Affiliated Faculty & CEE Associate Professor
Admissions Resources
Are you a current student looking for resources? Handbooks, procedures and other information can be found on the Student Resources page.