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Online Master of Design Studies in Sustainable Design

Online Master of Design Studies in Sustainable Design

Our built environment consumes the majority of the energy and resources we use as a society. The Online Master of Design Studies in Sustainable Design is a 4 semester degree program that teaches students the current practices, processes, and materials with which a sustainable built environment can be realized.

The BAC is a national leader in online sustainable design education and the curriculum is built around whole systems thinking—the philosophy that design of the built environment should be engaged with the larger systems of nature and society.

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The BAC Difference

  • Study with working professionals: Your instructors are leaders in the field and bring current perspectives on design studies into the classroom.
  • In-depth, weeklong residencies in Boston: Each year in August, you’ll come to the BAC’s central urban location to study in residence through in-person instruction, field trips, and hands-on workshops. These innovative intensive weeks give students and faculty the opportunity to build strong relationships and networks, setting up a positive, connected studio culture that enhances the online learning throughout the rest of the semester.
a group of students having discussions

Wide-Ranging Curriculum

  • Covers subjects including sustainable regional and community planning, healthy and green building design, and sustainable policy and advocacy. 
  • Large suite of elective course offerings makes the program highly customizable—choose to specialize in energy and resource use, water and air quality, healthy materials, preservation, high efficiency building design and sustainable development, and more.
  • Develop an independent design or research project related to your specific area of interest and career goals.
Program Details
Della Donahue, MDS-SD'21.
2022 Graduate Exhibit
Della Donahue, MDS-SD'21.
Della Donahue, MDS-SD'21.
2022 Graduate Exhibit
Della Donahue, MDS-SD'21.

Career Options

If you are already part of the building industry and want to sharpen or develop your skills in sustainable design, or if you are interested in joining the effort to create a sustainable built environment, this flexible program can help you reach your goals. 

While in school and after graduation, students pursue careers:

  • As sustainability experts at design, construction, and real estate firms
  • In sustainability roles in governmental, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
  • Sustainable Design consultant
  • In academia 
  • In tech or service oriented sustainability start-up initiatives
  • As part of research or advocacy organizations
I was looking for a sustainability program that could allow me to work in my hometown (Guayaquil, Ecuador) while studying in an international institution. The BAC Design Studies program fit perfectly with my professional schedule. I have traveled to America since I was a child, but thanks to the BAC masters program, I was able to travel and study in Boston during the intensive weeks.

Patricio Cabal, MDS'14

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