So I was wondering what’s the difference between Civil and Architectural engineering?
Pay difference?
Job summary?
I currently attend a school that offers Civil engineering, but not Architectural engineering, is it worth transferring to one that does?
Also if I wanted to eventually become an Architectural Engineering manager, should I just go ahead and transfer or would Civil engineering be fine?
I’m not familiar with Architectural Engineering. Looked it up, and it seems the list of ABET accredited schools is pretty short. For other types of engineering I do know ABET is important. What schools are you considering?
Architectural engineering is focused on buildings. Civil is more focused on infrastructure–bridges, water treatment plants, etc. Architectural engineering has elements of civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering. Maybe @mainelonghorn can give you more info
@Parentof2014grad is correct. I majored in Architectural Engineering because I wanted to concentrate on designing buildings. I didn’t care about all that other civil stuff.
The ArchE major has actually been around a long time. My dad was an ArchE graduate back in 1960. He went on to become an ArchE professor. He’s been at UT-Austin since 1965 and is retiring next month. Now you’ll probably be able to figure out who I am! 
You can get a job as a structural engineer going either the CE route or ArchE route. My husband was a civil engineering major. We met in grad school. We started our engineering consulting firm in 1999 and work out of our home, just the two of us.
The good thing about Arch E is that you have to take architectural design, and also subjects such as plumbing. You really learn more about BUILDINGS. You can still work on other structures, though - I worked a lot on dams at my first job.
If you have other questions, feel free to ask!
@MaineLonghorn So one can become an Architectural engineer majoring in Civil Engineering? Asking because my son is majoring in civil engineering now but Arch E is offered at the school he will be attending but that program is not ABET accredited.
You don’t normally see ads for “architectural engineers.” “Structural engineer” or “construction manager” will be used, instead. If you want to be a structural engineer, you can major in civil and take as many electives as possible in the area of structures - concrete, wood, steel, structural analysis, etc.
Your son should NOT participate in a program that is not ABET accredited, if he wants to engineer buildings. Construction drawings have to be stamped by a professional engineer, and one of the requirements to become a PE is to get a degree from an ABET accredited school.
If you want to send me a PM and tell me which school your son is attending, I will be happy to look at the programs. I can ask my dad about it, too, since he’s an ArchE professor and very knowledgeable about all the programs around the US.
@MaineLonghorn Hi I have some questions. I’m currently enrolling in Fullerton community college right now. And I’m not sure what are the best schools to transfer. What school did you go to for grad?
@MaineLonghorn Is the pay extremely low out of college?