MSc in Human Environment Relations in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Master of Science in Human Environment Relations at Cornell University is a two-year graduate program rooted in social science research traditions, with a focus on environmental psychology and human factors/ergonomics. The program emphasizes evidence-based design principles, where HCD research informs practical design solutions. Its core philosophy holds that rigorous social science research, coupled with creativity, can improve environmental planning and design to boost both individual and organizational performance. This interdisciplinary program unites faculty and students from diverse backgrounds including various design disciplines, architecture, psychology, engineering, and facility management to address interior environment challenges. Field research plays a significant role, supported by specialized facilities like CAD labs, ergonomics research spaces, design galleries, and wood workshops.

The program's foundation rests on several key principles: Effective environmental planning demands methodical, research-based approaches. Environmental design significantly influences human behavior and organizational outcomes. User diversity necessitates tailored solutions, accounting for personal factors like gender, life stage, and family situation, as well as organizational aspects including culture and structure. Successful environmental design must consider all stakeholders, from leadership to end-users. The program maintains that understanding human and organizational requirements is equally vital as addressing financial, technical, and aesthetic considerations in environmental design. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the processes behind environmental planning and management carry equal weight to the physical designs themselves.