Degrees in sustainable design--also called green design or environmental design--are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are only a few programs available at the undergraduate level. Most students tend to earn a degree in a related field, such as biology or environmental science, then pursue a Masters or PhD in sustainable design. Students at all levels can expect to spend much of their time researching green solutions, then developing real-world applications for the results of their research.
Environmental engineering is a specialization offered within many engineering programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Coursework typically includes training in biology, chemistry, environmental science and computer science. Students may focus on designing sustainable city infrastructures, such as recycling plants and wastewater treatment centers. Others may plan to act as consultants to construction and architectural firms and advise them on greener building materials and structural designs.
This degree combines environmental science and urban planning to train students to create and foster green development on a large scale. Students may study sustainable city growth, the environmental and economic impact of growth and the costs of development. Students may create real-world models of sustainability, such as studying ways to make communities more walking-friendly, or determining methods to increase the use and efficiency of public transportation.
A small number of schools offer graduate degrees in various areas of green design through two cooperating departments. These programs are rare and require intensive work as students pursue two Masters degrees concurrently. Yale University and Catholic University of America both feature these programs. Students in Yale's program earn a Master of Architecture and a Master of Environmental Management. At Catholic University, students earn a Master of Architecture and a Master of Sustainable Design. Both universities synthesize their regular programs of study so the joint degrees require only three years to complete instead of the four years required to complete them independently.