<p>I'm going to Cal Poly SLO for Architecture. I've loved architecture since I can remember, but also enjoy the engineering side. Cal Poly has a great reputation and was ranked #1 in undergrad architecture this year, so I'm hoping I can succeed as an architect - but if not, can I somehow get a degree in a closely related engineering field afterwards?</p>
<p>For example
Bachelor's of Architecture -> M.S. in Architectural Engineering or Structural Engineering</p>
<p>Would it help to minor in Architectural Engineering?</p>
<p>You need to get a lot of Math and engineering done to be able to go from Architecture to Engineering. A minor is required since you will otherwise have to start over with basic courses. That being said, it is very hard to add engineering to an architecture degree. This is a professional degree which requires a LOT of time in studio. All the students at my university, Illinois Tech, who come in thinking that this is what they want to do never make it past the first semester and drop the engineering and math.</p>
<p>A degree in Architectural Engineering plus a Masters of Architecture might be a better route for this kind of dual training. It will still take 6-7 years total.</p>
<p>It is possible to get into an engineering masters program without an engineering UG.</p>
<p>However, that being said, while you are an undergraduate, you had better have enough math experience.
I recommend multi-variable calculus, probability, differential equations and linear algebra. </p>
<p>You may also need some engineering exposure, depending on the engineering field. </p>
<p>For example, for aerospace or mechanical engineering, might also need to have exposure to fluid dynamics. </p>
<p>For chemical engineering, exposure to organic and inorganic chemistry, polymers, etc. </p>
<p>For computer science, you should ave an introductory programming course, data structures, algorithms, and computer architecture.</p>
<p>If you can get an engineering minor, you may be able to get enough background to be able to get into an engineering grad school in the same field.</p>
<p>Just as an example, my university’s engineering majors require this for math (at least in Architectural Engineering):
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Calculus IV
Linear Analysis
Statistics
Physics I
Physics II
Physics III
Thermodynamics</p>
<p>Where in Architecture, all I’m taking is:
Calculus I
Calculus II
Physics I
Physics II</p>
<p>In Architecture, I’m not given a single free elective to take any extra math. If I was to somehow pull it off, it would be taking summer courses - which I already plan to use in an attempt to graduate on time.</p>
<p>My university allows a 4+1 B.S. in Architectural Engineering + M.S. in Architecture, but I doubt it’s possible to transfer into an engineering major from Architecture.</p>
<p>I could pull off the minor, but I don’t think the math is possible in my major. </p>
<p>I want to be an architect more than an engineer, I’m just worried about not succeeding as an architect and not really being able to do anything else. Does having an MBA open up the opportunity to work in business? My university offers an MBA specialized in Architectural Management for BArch students (you can start taking the classes during your 5th year). I will try to get this MBA if possible for the prospects it may open in architecture, but if it really broadens where I can work/what I can do, that would be amazing.</p>
<p>edit: or maybe I could minor in Construction Management and be able to work as a construction manager if architecture falls through (as it likely will and hopefully won’t).</p>
<p>anyways, thank you @xraymancs and @nakoruru for the help!</p>
<p>Possible to get an engineering MS after non-engineering UG? It’s certainly possible. Relatively uncommon, but extremely possible. I think it’s also a very case-dependent thing. I am currently in a very well-ranked mechanical engineering graduate program; I studied molecular biology for my bachelor’s. The only relevant coursework I had was calculus-based physics, general chem, calculus I and II, and statistics I and II. After graduating, I worked for a while, realized I wanted to go to school for mechanical engineering, took multivariable calc and differential equations, and applied to a number of Master’s programs in ME. I scored well on my GRE and had a solid record, but otherwise no additional (formal) math or exposure to engineering. I did study linear algebra, thermodynamics, statics/dynamics, fluids, etc. informally on my own before applying, but that was irrelevant as far as my applications went.</p>
<p>Having a non-engineering background will lock you out of a number of schools, but many graduate engineering programs, including top-ranked programs, do consider applications from non-engineers. Either way, it would certainly help for you to take as much relevant coursework as possible. Majoring in a related field–like architecure–for areas like mechanical, or structural, or architectural engineering, etc. will certainly do more favors for you than my bio major did.</p>