The document provides information to students considering engineering or architecture programs in the United States. It outlines the 5 steps to study in the US, benefits of these fields, factors to consider in choosing a program such as accreditation, degree levels and options, the application process, and resources for researching schools. Key aspects include emphasizing the importance of accreditation for professional licensure, varying admissions requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs, and financing options such as scholarships, fellowships and assistantships.

2. EducationUSA can help you every step along the way.
5 Steps to U.S. Study
1.Research Your Options
2.Finance Your Studies
3.Complete Your Application
4.Apply for Your Student Visa
5.Prepare for Your Departure

3. This is the first question to ask yourself.
Why do I want to study in the U.S.?

4. Why Study in the U.S. of all places?
Flexibility
Critical-thinking
State-of-the-art
Facilities
International
Experience and
Networking
4,900+ Choices
Quality
English language
practice
Value
Student-centered
approach
Working closely with
professors
Diversity

5. Benefits of a Life in Engineering or
Architecture
 Job satisfaction
 Variety of career opportunities
 Challenging work
 Intellectual development
 Potential to benefit society
 Financial security
 Technological & scientific discovery
 Creative thinking
 And much more…..

6. Starting your Search
• 1000+ engineering
programs
• 400+ architecture
programs
• Best universities overall
may not be best for your
field
• Accreditation, not rankings!
– ABET: engineering
accreditation, globally
recognized
– NAAB: architecture
accreditation, required for
professional registration
• Admission rates?

7. A word about ACCREDITATION
1) University Accreditation – www.chea.org
2) Professional Accreditation
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) – www.naab.org
Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) – www.abet.org
Since most state registration boards in the United States require any
applicant for licensure to have graduated from a NAAB or ABET
accredited program, obtaining such a degree is an essential aspect of
preparing for the professional practice of engineering and architecture.

8. Studying Engineering
in the U.S.

9. Is Engineering Right for You?
Do you possess:
• Strong analytical aptitude/logical thinking?
• Attention to detail?
• Creativity?
• Interest in staying up-to-date on newest developments?
• Good mathematical/problem solving skills?
• Ability to work as part of a team?
• Excellent technical knowledge?

10. Engineering Fields in the U.S.
• Aerospace/Aeronautical: Want to make things fly?
• Agricultural: Want to protect the environment?
• Biomedical: Interested in medicine, but don’t want to go to
medical school?
• Chemical: Curious about chemical reactions?
• Civil Engineering: Want to build the next major dam or
bridge?
• Computer: Know your way around a motherboard?

11. Engineering Fields in the U.S.
Electrical: Would you like to power the world?
Environmental: Is recycling important to you? Concern for
the environment is top priority for environmental engineers
Industrial: Do you often think ‘I could do that better or faster?
Materials Science: How are the tires on a race car
different from the ones on your family’s car?
Mechanical: Like to take things apart?
Nuclear: Could fusion be a solution for safe, affordable
energy??

12. Choosing an Engineering Program
• Know professional organizations for your
field; do they have a guide to best schools?
• Faculty
• Well-regarded in field?
• Read publications or know their work
• Accreditation
• Academic unit size
• Facilities/ support
• Career programs
• Postgraduate plans

13. Degree Options Available
Bachelor’s Degree:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) (4 years)
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) (4 years)
Associate Degrees:
Associate of Science (Transferable)
Associate of Applied Science
Other options:
3-2 Engineering Degrees
5-year cooperative education programs

14. Undergraduate
Admissions
• SAT/ACT scores
– Optional, recommended,
or required?
• English proficiency
– Is there conditional
admission?
– Know minimum scores
required
• Grades: 2.75-3.0
– Average minimums for
admission to major
• Architecture
– 4-year bachelor’s
degrees
– 5-year master’s degrees
• Math preparation for
engineering
– Calculus I recommended
– SAT/ACT scores can
help

15. Undergraduate Scholarships
• Two kinds
– Need-based
– Merit-based
• Need-based
– Awarded for financial need
• Merit-based
– Awarded for grades,
scores, quality of work
– University-wide or through
departments
• Can get more than 1
• Who’s eligible?
– Requirements differ
– New freshmen?
– Or just enrolled
students?
• Deadlines
– November 1st or
February 1st are
common
– Departments may have
different deadlines
• Look outside the university!

16. Degree Options Available
Graduate Degree:
Master’s in Engineering (1 year)
- Professional, no thesis requirement
Master’s of Science (2 years)
- Thesis and non-thesis option
Ph.D. program (5-7 years)
- Highest degree, course work followed by original
research dissertation

17. Graduate Admissions
• Done through
department
• Most programs take
students only for fall
• Deadlines are early!
– 1st week of January or
earlier
• GRE: general test
– Some require it,
others don’t
– May be no minimums
• English proficiency
– TOEFL or IELTS
• Minimum scores can
be different for each
department
– Conditional admission?
• Transcripts
– 3.0 minimum GPA
– Especially in your major

18. • Architecture
– Portfolio: examples of
academic or
professional work
• Prerequisite courses or
degrees?
• Reference letters
– 3, from professors or
supervisors
• Personal statement
– What do you want to
study?
– Why do you want to study
it?
– Why is ____ University
the best place for you?
• Resume/CV
Graduate Admissions

19. Should I do a master’s or
Ph.D.?
• Master’s not required for most
Ph.D. programs
• Takes longer to do both
separately
• Some departments don’t take
master’s-only students
• More financial aid for Ph.D.
students

20. Graduate Funding
• Teaching
assistantships
– Funded by
departments
– Teach or assist
professor in course
• Research
assistantships
– Usually funded by
research grants
• Fellowships
– Support in return for
teaching or research
duties
– Very competitive
• Scholarships
– Usually for excellent
academic work
– Some for Ph.D.
students only
• Travel grants
– For conferences

21. Online Resources for Engineering
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
(ABET) www.abet.org
American Society for Engineering Education www.asee.org
Society of Women Engineers www.swe.org
The National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveying
(NCEES) www.ncees.org
National Society of Professional Engineers Education
www.nspe.org/students/home.asp

22. Studying Architecture
in the USA

23. Common Specializations
• Architectural Engineering
• Architectural History
• Historic Preservation/Conservation
• Interior Architecture
• Industrial Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Urban Design
EducationUSA.state.gov

24. Undergraduate Degrees
• Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
– 5 years
– Accredited
– Design Studio
– Internships/practical training
• Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BS Arch)
• Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BA Arch)
– 4 years
– Generally NOT accredited
– In order to lead to licensure, students need MArch degree

25. Applying for Undergrad programs
• Strong Grade Point Average (GPA) with
trigonometry, calculus and physics
• Competitive SAT and TOEFL scores
• Appropriate prerequisite coursework
• Portfolio of creative work works

26. Master Degrees
• Master of Architecture (MArch I, II, or III)
– Terminal, professional degree
– Requires a studio component
– 2 year or 3 year program depending on undergrad
• Master of Science in Architecture (MS Arch)
– Particular fields of study
– Less than 2 years
– Continuing on to PhD

27. Doctorate Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
– Teaching or Research
• Doctorate in Architecture (DArch)
– Advanced study in particular area & Studio component
• Doctorate in Design (DDes)
– More practical and applied
approach to architecture

28. Applying to Grad Programs
• Graduated from undergraduate degree program in
Architecture or related field
• Strong portfolio
– Includes complete projects related to proposed study or
specialization
• Good GRE score
• TOEFL or IELTS

29. Highlighted Specializations
• Sustainable Design
– understanding the political and cultural contexts
• Computing
– 3-D modeling, robotics, and digital design

30. The University of Hawaii at Manoa
offers the only NAAB accredited
Doctorate of Architecture (DArch)
program in the United States.

31. It is recommended that architecture
students submit a hard bound
portfolio with dimensions of 8 x 11
inches when applying to a university.

32. Studio Component
• Most degree programs require some form of
studio work
• Certain institutions offer studio work in
international locations

33. Online Architecture Resources
• National Association of Architecture Accrediting Board:
www.naab.org
• American Institute of Architecture: www.aia.org
• American Institute of Architecture Students: www.aias.org
• Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov/oco
• AMIDEAST amideast.org/usstudy/fields-study

34. How to Choose a School
• Are you seeking a professional degree
• Level of confidence
• Art vs science
• Academic structure
• Reputation/tradition
• Academic unit size
• Faculty
• Career programs
• Postgraduate plans

35. Hawaii to New Hampshire

36. Big Cities and Small Towns

37. Every little piece counts. And every university is different.
The “Application Package” for the U.S.
• Application Fee and Form – Your answers to questions and lists.
• Statement of Purpose and other Essays
• 2-3 Recommendation Letters
• Official Academic Transcripts incl. any pre-requisite courses
• Exams (SAT/ACT, GRE, GMAT) Scores sent from testing agency.
• TOEFL iBT (or IELTS) Results sent from testing agency.
• Writing Samples, Research Papers, Portfolio, Other
• Work Experience: Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Financial Aid Form and Documents as Proof
• Interview

38. Our Facebook Community
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39. www.youtube.com/EducationUSA
Thank you and Good Luck!
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40. Q&A
Ask your questions about
Study in the USA.