Bachelor’s in Environmental Design

Environmental design connects people with our built and natural worlds. Our students gain an interdisciplinary, hands-on education they apply directly in their careers.

The undergraduate degree in environmental design teaches students how to connect people, nature and our built world. Students explore how to create healthy and sustainable communities with attention to social justice and economic vitality. The interdisciplinary program explores numerous design theories and practices, teaching students to integrate scholarship, evidence-based practice and experiential learning into their practice of shaping our environment. 

  • Shape the way we live, work and play
  • Improve the way we design buildings and create environments 
  • Specialize in architecture, environmental product design, landscape architecture or sustainable planning & urban design 

Explore a hands-on education within our 15,000 square feet of creative maker space

The most popular environmental design school in the U.S.

(collegefactual.com, 2020)

Gain expert insight from our 10 licensed design professionals on staff

Be successful.

Be prepared to meet the needs of society by applying your specialized knowledge and skill in environmental design to a variety of career opportunities.

 
$74,300

Median annual salary for urban and regional planners; $69,300 median annual salary for landscape architects

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019)

 

Work as an environmental designer, architect, urban designer, environmental planner, city planner, landscape architect or product designer

 

Work for local, state and federal resource agencies; or in natural resource management and conservation, business, or the nonprofit sector

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn the undergraduate degree in environmental design, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours.

The curriculum is divided into two parts:

  1. Core studies: The first part consists of a core lasting one-and-a-half years, providing a balanced introduction to each of the majors offered. By the end of the core studies, students select and confirm their intended major.
  2. Major of focus: Students begin studies within their specific major of focus, with each specialization having specific requirements for completing the major. Majors include:
    1. Architecture: Architecture focuses on the design and development of the built environment. Students explore broad topics of sites, programs, materiality, structural systems, modern technologies, human interconnectedness and social interaction.
    2. Environmental product design: Environmental product design takes cues and information from the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and product design to develop projects that foster a better, sustainable environment for all. 
    3. Landscape architecture: With this major, students learn to design environments in urban, rural and agricultural contexts at all scales. Students explore strategies to repair and strengthen ecological systems, create and restore habitats, manage stormwater, express cultural values, and support human health and well-being. 
    4. Sustainable planning and urban design: This major examines issues of sustainability and social justice in communities, cities and regions around the world. Heavily centered around community engagement, this major allows students to focus on a variety of topics, such as housing, environmental planning, transportation planning and urban design.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.