Master of Design in Sustainable Environments in Ames United States | Iowa State University

The Master of Design in Sustainable Environments (M.Des.S.E.) is an innovative cross-disciplinary program dedicated to comprehensive design approaches for creating eco-conscious, adaptable spaces and objects. MDesSE participants form a dynamic, collaborative network of diverse professionals committed to exploring, advancing, and implementing sustainable solutions across design disciplines, urban planning, and creative fields. Learners collaborate on faculty-guided research initiatives while crafting personalized sustainability approaches to pressing contemporary challenges—conserving natural assets, mitigating environmental issues, and fostering equitable social, political, and economic systems. The curriculum emphasizes mastering visualization techniques, communication methods, cutting-edge theoretical frameworks, investigative approaches, and practical design applications. The program culminates with a comprehensive final project where students explore global themes like (1) combating climate change effects on societies and structures, (2) blending informal economic systems with modern urban development, (3) revitalizing aquatic ecosystems and improving water standards, (4) transforming waste into valuable infrastructure components, and (5) redesigning disaster response systems to strengthen community resilience, fairness, and recovery efficiency. This 35-credit program typically spans three terms (autumn, spring, and summer), with flexible four or five-term options. Ideal candidates hold professional qualifications in arts (BFA, MFA), architectural studies (BArch, MArch), visual communication (BFA, MFA), spatial design (BFA, MFA), product development (BID, MID), environmental design (BLA, MLA), urban strategy (BSCRP, MCRP, MUP), or engineering. The College of Design offers combined degree pathways including M Arch/MDesSE, MCRP/MDesSE, MFA in IVA/MDesSE, and MLA/MDesSE.