Online Master of Design Studies in Sustainable Design
Boston, USA
Master degree
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Feb 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,464 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* additional fees may apply
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.
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.
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
- #4 Best Architecture School, GradReports
- #9 Most Hired from Architecture Schools, DesignIntelligence
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.
Earning the degree of your dreams is an important investment for you and for your future. The Boston Architectural College and our experienced Financial Aid staff are here to help you achieve this goal by providing you with plenty of resources and guidance along the way.
Scholarships and Awards
The Boston Architectural College offers our talented and deserving students a number of scholarships, honors, and awards to help make paying for college easier for them and their families. Grants and scholarships are open for all to apply.
The BAC will determine eligibility for each student for scholarships and awards; in many cases, you will be automatically considered and do not need to take further actions. We will reach out to you to let you know if there are next steps you need to take, such as writing an essay or submitting your portfolio.
- The Alumni Scholarship - Segment I Outstanding Student Award
- The Alumni Scholarship - Segment I Portfolio Award
- The Alumni Scholarship - Segment II Outstanding Student Award
- The Alumni Scholarship - Thesis Award
- Dean's Award
- Designers Lighting Forum Scholarship
- The William P. Francisco IV, B.Arch '04 Memorial Scholarship
- The Heenan Scholarship
- Robert Houseman and Richard Kirkham Scholarship
- IPAL Fellowship
- Memorial Scholarship
- The William E. Nast Scholarship
- The Richard Painter Scholarship
- The John Heman Pilling Architecture Design Scholarship
- The Robert Scagliotti, '69, '08 (HON.) Scholarship
- The Steffian Bradley Architects Scholarship
- Student Scholarships Award
- A. Anthony Tappé Fontainebleau Prize
Outside Scholarships
- AIA/ALNNJ
- AIA Rhode Island
- AIA Site Preservation Grant
- The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
- American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Worldstudio Scholarship
- American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation
- Archaeological Institute of America Grants and Awards
- Center for Architecture Foundation Scholarships and Grants
- The Charles E. Peterson Prize
- CINTAS Fellowship in Architecture and Design
- Conservation and Heritage Management Award
- Elizabeth Bartman Museum Internship and Scholarship Conservation and Heritage Management Award
- The Garden Club Federation of Maine
- Gensler
- Graduate Student Paper Award - Archaeological Institute of America
- Graduate Student Travel Award
- The Horticultural Research Institute Endowment Fund
- Houzz Scholarship Programs
- Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship
- The MNLA Foundation for Educational Excellence Scholarship Program
- NEWH Scholarships
- The Plan NH Fellowship Program
- Society for American Archaeology Scholarships and Grants
- The Tradewell Fellowship