Sustainable Design

Sustainable Design Hero
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
HOW TO APPLY

The Graduate Program in Sustainable Design is an interdisciplinary and research-based degree path. Here, scholars are both part of a specialized, close-knit cohort of MSSD students as well as members of the larger Architecture program and UT Austin campus community. Students are encouraged to draw from the sizeable and wide-ranging knowledge of faculty within the school and across the university. The Master of Science in Sustanable Design degree's STEM designation from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board also opens up new research and funding resources, and enables additional professional opportunities for international students.

The School of Architecture has several facilities and laboratories to allow for sustainable design research at various scales and scopes to complement students’ academic experiences. The Sustainable Design Program distinguishes itself from other programs in the school as its low faculty-student ratio allows for one-to-one interaction in addition to potential opportunities for Graduate Research Assistant work to support faculty research in conjunction with the Center for Sustainable Development.

Moreover, students are able to experience and contribute to the development of one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation—Austin, Texas. Together with faculty and professionals in practice students contribute to resolving Austin’s current density, equity, and environmental issues in the living laboratory of a dynamic and ever-changing city.

sustainable design 

DEGREES + PROGRAMS

The Sustainable Design Program at the University of Texas as Austin offers two graduate-level degree programs and a Ph.D. in Architecture with a concentration in sustainability. 

GRADUATE DOCTORAL

Master of Science in Sustainable Design [MSSD]

MSSD + Master of Science in Community & Regional Planning [MSCRP]

Ph.D in Architecture, Sustainability
  • Instagram Post
    Mebane Lounge by Jeanette Chen @harpnut, Jen McClelland @jenjenmcclelland, Erin Murphy @erkamu, and Stephanie Belov for Igor Siddiqui’s @isssstudio Interior Design Core I // 2023-2024 Design Excellence Award Winner<br>
    @utsoa

    Mebane Lounge by Jeanette Chen @harpnut, Jen McClelland @jenjenmcclelland, Erin Murphy @erkamu, and Stephanie Belov for Igor Siddiqui’s @isssstudio Interior Design Core I // 2023-2024 Design Excellence Award Winner

  • Instagram Post
    Calling all alumni: We want to hear from you!<br> <br>As alumni, supporters, and friends, your perspective is invaluable to us. Consider letting us know how you feel about the school and how we can better engage with members of our extended community at the link in our bio.<br>
    @utsoa

    Calling all alumni: We want to hear from you!

    As alumni, supporters, and friends, your perspective is invaluable to us. Consider letting us know how you feel about the school and how we can better engage with members of our extended community at the link in our bio.

  • Instagram Post
    “Fashion Flagships” by George Lipe @_georgelipe_ for Patrick Danahy’s @pdanahy Design V Studio // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner<br>
    @utsoa

    “Fashion Flagships” by George Lipe @_georgelipe_ for Patrick Danahy’s @pdanahy Design V Studio // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner

  • Instagram Post
    This summer, insect habitats designed by first-year interior design students will be on display @brooklynbotanic in New York City.<br>
    @utsoa

    This summer, insect habitats designed by first-year interior design students will be on display @brooklynbotanic in New York City.

  • Instagram Post
    Summer looks good on you ☀️
    @utsoa

    Summer looks good on you ☀️

  • Instagram Post
    This summer, two Community &amp; Regional Planning students @vickierbelcher and @arfar.razi (second from left and right) competed in the final round of the Nature-based Future Challenge competition.<br>
    @utsoa

    This summer, two Community & Regional Planning students @vickierbelcher and @arfar.razi (second from left and right) competed in the final round of the Nature-based Future Challenge competition.

  • Instagram Post
    In the most recent issue of @txarchitects Magazine, SOA alumnus and contributing writer Cole Von Feldt @cole_v profiled several of SOA’s design-build studios which “serve as a bridge between academia and practice, better preparing students for architecture beyond the academic setting.”<br>
    @utsoa

    In the most recent issue of @txarchitects Magazine, SOA alumnus and contributing writer Cole Von Feldt @cole_v profiled several of SOA’s design-build studios which “serve as a bridge between academia and practice, better preparing students for architecture beyond the academic setting.”

  • Instagram Post
    Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Practice @juanasalcedoo, who received a 2024 @grahamfoundation grant to fund her exhibition “Jaguar Lens.” <br>
    @utsoa

    Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Practice @juanasalcedoo, who received a 2024 @grahamfoundation grant to fund her exhibition “Jaguar Lens.”

  • Instagram Post
    Congratulations to Master of Interior Design student Winnie Lin @winnlin (MID ’25) who was recognized by @asid_hq as one of only three 2024 Student Portfolio Competition award winners selected from submissions across the US and Canada!<br>
    @utsoa

    Congratulations to Master of Interior Design student Winnie Lin @winnlin (MID ’25) who was recognized by @asid_hq as one of only three 2024 Student Portfolio Competition award winners selected from submissions across the US and Canada!