The M.A. in Environmental Design is a post-professional degree that provides graduate students with advanced knowledge and understanding. The purpose of this master’s degree is to train prospective or practicing professionals to address the complex interdisciplinary nature of environmental design. The program offers a choice between Plan A thesis or Plan B research project. Students will develop a highly individualized plan of study with a focus in a relevant design area such as Golf Course Architecture, Landscape Reclamation, Visual Quality Modeling, Landscape Restoration, Interiorscapes, Wellness/Therapeutic Garden Design, Landscape Development Systems, Plant Management Systems, Adaptive Reuse Facilities for Tourism and Recreation, Park Safety Design and Development, and Design with Ecological Systems.

The Master of Arts Degree in Environmental Design addresses four areas of professional development. These include:

• Acquisition of in-depth knowledge in the area of environmental design theory;

• Development of problem-solving skills within an interdisciplinary professional context;

• Development of technological expertise and knowledge base in a selected area of environmental design; and

• Advanced ability in graphic, written, and oral communication skills.

This degree is planned to provide an alternative to traditional professional degrees by addressing the needs of students with undergraduate design backgrounds who wish to work in an interdisciplinary setting while pursuing an area of individual interest.
 

How to apply

1. Complete the MSU Online Application for Graduate Study.

   1. Apply for Major Code 5268–Environmental Design
   2. Submit $50 Application Fee online

2. Submit Academic Statement – May be completed online in the application or submitted to SPDC directly with other application documents. See the Online Application for a description of what needs to be addressed in the statement.

3. Submit Personal Statement – May be completed online in the application or submitted to SPDC directly with other application documents. See the Online Application for a description of what needs to be addressed in the statement.

4. Submit Resume or Curricula Vita

5. Submit Portfolio

6. Provide Official Transcripts from any colleges or universities attended. Transcripts MUST be in a sealed envelope from the institution.

7. Provide 3 Recommendations using this form

   1. References may attach a letter to this form if they desire.
   2. Your reference should place the recommendation in a sealed envelope, place their signature across the label and return it to the applicant for mailing with application documents.

8. Have GRE scores reported to MSU by ETS testing service.

   1. For reporting purposes please use School Code – 1465 (MSU) and Major Code 4499 – (Architecture and Environmental Design – Other)
   2. If you have a copy of your GRE scores, you may include a copy with your application documents.

9. International Applicants must report scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

   1. For reporting purposed please use School Code – 1465 for Michigan State University
   2. If you have a copy of your TOEFL scores, you may include a copy with your application documents.

After you have completed your online application, submitted the application fee, and gathered all the application documents required, please mail application documents together in one large envelope. 

Submit ALL Application Documents at the same time to:

Michigan State University
School of Planning, Design and Construction
ATTN: Graduate Secretary
112C Human Ecology Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1030

NOTE: If you have academic questions related to the Environmental Design curriculum, please contact Dr. Jon Burley at burleyj@msu.edu

If you have application questions, please contact the Graduate Secretary at pdcgrad@msu.edu