Careers in the Design Professions

The program prepares preprofessional undergraduate students for professional graduate study in the design professions. As with other four-year preprofessional degrees, such as the bachelor of science or bachelor of arts in architecture, the BEnvd prepares students for study in a master of architecture (MArch), master of landscape architecture (MLA), master of urban design (MUD), or master of urban and regional planning (MURP) degree program.

It is common for bachelor's in environmental design graduates to receive advanced standing for the work they have done in our program, which allows them to complete a graduate degree at other design schools in a shorter time.

Architecture

The four-year BEnvd degree is not accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) as a professional degree. NAAB does not accredit BA Arch, BS Arch, or BEnvd degrees; the NAAB only accredits master of architecture (MArch) and five-year bachelor of architecture (BArch) programs. The BEnvd degree prepares students for a NAAB-accredited masters program. In this sequential program of study, students completing the BEnvD  will normally be asked to complete a minimum of four semesters of additional course work (60 hours of credit) after admission into one of 95 NAAB-accredited graduate programs nationally. 

In addition to the MArch, prospective architects must complete three years of internship and must pass a state professional licensing exam. This process is overseen by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), some of which may be completed concurrently with studies.

Planning

The practice of planning is currently not licensed in most states. Professional membership and certification is overseen by the American Planning Association (APA) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Degrees in the field are accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

Although students interested in entry-level positions in planning may find the BEnvd degree adequate, an advanced degree (MURP, PhD, or other graduate planning focus) is highly desirable. Students primarily interested in professional practice should obtain a graduate degree in urban planning, in urban and regional planning, in urban planning and community development, or in urban design. Students interested in teaching or research in planning should complete a PhD.

Landscape Architecture

To obtain a license, landscape architects should have an advanced education and work experience, as well as pass the national examination. In the United States, licensing is overseen both at the state level and nationally by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). Accreditation of educational programs is voluntary. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accreditation process evaluates each program and provides an assessment. Advanced standing for graduate study is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to the standards of each graduate program, determined in accordance with a student's prior academic accomplishments as demonstrated in the application portfolio and transcript.

Design Studies

There is an increasing demand in the design, construction, and development industries for people who combine an understanding of design with a specialized understanding of related fields like computing, management, finance, or marketing. Some students may use the design studies major as general preparation for graduate study in any number of academic fields that are also concerned with the design and planning of the built environment, including anthropology, geography, sociology, psychology, historic preservation, and architectural, urban, and environmental history. Other students may use this emphasis to prepare for further graduate study in a professional field related to architecture, landscape architecture and planning, including business, law, journalism, public administration, product design, and digital design. Design thinking is increasingly recognized in the business world as a valuable expertise in the analysis of the design of corporate structures and business plans, industrial processes, manufacturing, marketing, and other related pursuits. Excellent design constitutes a fundamental aspect of sustainability in any field.

As the design studies curriculum is tailored to each student, students in this emphasis must outline and receive approval of their individual course plan by a faculty sponsor and the director before undertaking design studies. Participants in this emphasis are expected to attain a competent level of understanding and skill in architecture, landscape design, or planning. They are expected to demonstrate proficiency in design thinking and design practice as these relate to architecture, landscape design, planning, or urban design. They must complete the requirements of the five-semester, 75-credit core. Once admitted to the design studies emphasis, students are expected to develop and demonstrate a high level of understanding and proficiency in one specialized aspect of these fields, or in one of the cognate fields. A minimum of 30 hours of course work must be approved and completed within design studies.