Ferris State > College Associate Degree Architectural Technology
The two-year Architecture Degree Program features an Architectural Technology curriculum
providing a comprehensive foundation of technical abilities, understanding or awareness
involving all aspects of the architectural profession. Specifically the architecture
degree curriculum is designed with an emphasis on visual communication, building materials,
building systems and the development of architectural graphic techniques involved
in the production of architectural working drawings.
Under the guidance of the faculty or professional, licensed architects, the mission
of the college architecture degree program mission is to prepare Architectural Technology
students to:
TThe ongoing expansion and specialization in architectural technological applications
of building systems and environmental issues, as well as the growth in architectural
services, has greatly increased the need for skilled architectural technicians and
cad designers to function in a support role with architects and other autocad software
professionals and related architectural graphics professionals. The Ferris State college
architecture degree courses can include a foundation in the graphic presentation of
buildings based on architectural applications of the following methods: orthographic
presentation, sketching, paraline drawings and perspective. Emphasis is placed upon
development of linework, composition, lettering, and orthographic and perspective
presentation with architectural drawing enhancements including the use of ink and
color, shade and shadow, and poche techniques.
A beginning architectural technician works closely with a team to produce cad design
development drawings, construction documents and specifications. With experience,
the architectural technician becomes involved in other phases of architectural work
such as project field observation, preparation of written specifications, building
code analysis, CAD three-dimensional modeling and rendering, and presentation of autocad
and cad designs.
There is no geographic limitation on employment opportunities with an architecture
degree, and advancement in the architecture profession depends on the development
of technical expertise.
Entry-level salaries for architectural degree graduates typically range from $25,000-$35,000. Average
salaries for architecture degree graduates with 10 years of experience in the range
from $38,000-$50,000. (Source: US Department of Labor, 2000)
Admission to the College of Technology is open to high school graduates who demonstrate academic preparedness, maturity
and seriousness of purpose with backgrounds appropriate to their chosen program of
studies. Among first-time students in our technical programs, the average high school
GPA is 2.8, and the average ACT composite score is 20.
Architecture degree students entering the college Architectural Technology program
must have a high school diploma with a minimum 2.0 GPA or equivalent, a minimum ACT
math subscore of 19 and MATH 116 placement, and an ACT reading subscore of 17.
The Architectural Technology degree program at Ferris State leads to an associate's degree in applied science. Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA in core classes, in the major and overall. Students must complete all general education requirements as outlined on the General Education website.
Architectural Technology
Facilities Management Department
Ferris State University
915 Campus Drive/SWN 312
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone 231-591-3100
Email: nagelkid@ferris.edu
