Master of Science in Sustainable Design and Technology
About This Program
The Master of Science in Sustainable Design and Technology is a non-professional, design-research-focused program for practitioners and researchers in diverse fields, specializing in a comprehensive understanding of sustainable design and technology and its theoretical background. The program provides a curriculum for the strategic intersection of sustainable design and performance-driven technologies. Students in this program will gain expertise in three primary areas:
- Advanced design theory and research
- Advanced ecological and urban design
- Advanced performance-based design
Additional courses are available to support areas of advanced study and research.
The program is intended for graduates of BS degrees with a focus on built environments and practicing professionals in the following fields:
- Architecture
- Landscape architecture
- Interior Design
- Historic preservation
- Urban design
- Environmental planning
- Industrial design
- Civil engineering
- Architectural engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Construction management
The MS in Sustainable Design and Technology does not lead to architecture licensure. Students seeking professional licensure should pursue the School of Architecture’s accredited Master of Architecture degree. A dual degree path is offered.
Competencies
- Upon completion, students will be capable of advanced design and research of building systems integration to the urban ecology.
- Upon completion, students will be capable of advanced environmental and urban design research.
- Upon completion, students will be capable of advanced performance-driven design and research.
- Upon completion, students will be capable of collaborating across disciplines to develop integrative solutions for a sustainable and resilient built environment.
- Upon completion, students will be capable of producing scholarly and creative work that communicates sustainability concepts through writing, visualization, and presentation.
Admissions Criteria
- Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate School and the College of Architecture Planning and Public Affairs.
- Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution in one of the professions or fields of study listed below:
- A five-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BArch)*
- A five- or six-year National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited professional degree in architecture (BArch or MArch)
- A four- or five-year Council for Interior Design Accrediting Board (CIDA)-accredited professional degree in interior Design
- A four- or five-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture or Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture degree; or a master's degree in Landscape Architecture. All degrees must be from programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board.
- A Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design
- A Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
- A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- A Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering
- A Bachelor of Science Construction Management
- A personal interview with the Director, Graduate Advisor or members of the architecture faculty is strongly recommended.
- Three letters of recommendation are required, and it is suggested that at least two of the letters come from former educators or academic contact. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly via email to cappa.advising@uta.edu or by postal service, to: CAPPA Program – Master of Sustainable Design and Technology (MSDT), Box 19108, Arlington TX 76019.
- Also required is a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 as calculated by graduate admissions.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
- Applicants holding first professional degrees in landscape architecture, or in some cases, degrees related to landscape architecture (such as architecture, engineering, environmental design, horticulture, interior design, planning, and the like) are required to submit portfolios reflecting the applicants' professional and/or academic experiences and interests. Portfolios are assessed according to proficiency in design, presentation and layout, technical skills, and content, similar to criteria used in design studios.
- Applicants who have a weakness in one of the criteria for admission can enhance their credentials with strengths in the remaining criteria.
Applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with the minimum standards outlined in the Graduate Admission section of the University Catalog: https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/admissions/graduate/
Unconditional Admission
Applicants meeting all the above-mentioned criteria are eligible for unconditional admission.
Provisional Admission
An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the submission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission. All missing documentation must be received before the end of the first semester of study.
Probationary Admission
Those who have weaknesses with respect to letters of recommendation and GPA can be admitted on probation, with the condition that they make no less than a B in the first 12 hours of coursework in architecture. Such students must complete no fewer than 9 credits during the semester in which they are on probation.
Deferred Admission
Those who have weaknesses with respect to letters of recommendation and GPA and/or who have not submitted all of the materials required for unconditional admission, may have their applications deferred for one semester, until outstanding requirements and criteria are met. A deferred admission may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denied decision is not appropriate.
Denial of Admission
Candidates who do not satisfy the requirements for probationary admission will not be admitted.
International Student Admission
Applicants whose native language is not English must have a demonstrated speaking ability in English. Applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with the minimum standards outlined in the Graduate Admission section of the University Catalog: https://catalog.uta.edu/academicregulations/admissions/graduate/
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistantships
To be considered for a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship, the candidate must be admitted unconditionally. In order to be eligible for teaching assistantships, students whose native language is not English, must complete extramural training in English as approved by the Program and the Office of Graduate Studies, score of 23 on the TOEFL-iBT Speaking subtest or score a 7.0 on the Speaking portion of the IELTS.
Fellowships and Scholarships
To be considered for fellowships or scholarship the candidate must admitted without provisional conditions and have a favorable review in most of the evaluation criteria. Fellowships and scholarships in architecture are limited and very competitive. Generally, candidates must be new students coming to UT Arlington, must have a GPA of 3.0 in their last 60 undergraduate credit hours and any graduate hours, and must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 hours in both long semesters to retain their fellowships or scholarships.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| ARCH 5101 | COLLOQUIUM I: RESEARCH INTRODUCTION | 1 |
| ARCH 5102 | COLLOQUIUM II: RESEARCH PROPOSAL | 1 |
| ARCH 5103 | COLLOQUIUM III: RESEARCH DEFENSE | 1 |
| ARCH 5378 | AI LITERACY & MACHINE LEARNING IN ARCHITECTURE | 3 |
| ARCH 5368 | GREEN DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION | 3 |
| ARCH 5376 | ARCHITECTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT II | 3 |
| ARCH 5698 | THESIS | 6 |
| ARCH 5696 | DESIGN STUDIO VI: RESEARCH | 6 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 2 from the following: | 6 | |
| Architecture Options | ||
| BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING & VISUALIZATION | ||
| DIGITAL TECTONICS & PROTOTYPING | ||
| HIGH PERFORMANCE FACADE SYSTEMS | ||
| FUTURE CITIES | ||
| ADAPTIVE TYPOLOGIES | ||
| SPATIAL [IN] JUSTICE | ||
| TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE | ||
| Engineering Options | ||
| MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SYSTEMS | ||
| CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMICS | ||
| CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS | ||
| CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, SPECIFICATIONS, & ADMINISTRATION | ||
| CONSTRUCTION SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ARCH 5101 | 1 | ARCH 5102 | 1 |
| ARCH 5696 | 6 | ARCH 5378 | 3 |
| ARCH 5376 | 3 | ARCH 5368 (Green Design + Construction) | 3 |
| ARCH 53xx ( Elective) | 3 | ||
| 10 | 10 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | ||
| ARCH 5103 | 1 | ||
| ARCH 53xx ( Elective) | 3 | ||
| ARCH 5698 | 6 | ||
| 10 | |||
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
Program Completion
A student may be subject to dismissal from the program if they accumulate 4 deficiency points during their program of graduate study. Students who complete a Master’s degree at CAPPA will not carry deficiency points into their PhD work. Deficiency points may not be removed from a student’s record by repeating a course or additional coursework.
D = 2 deficiency points
F = 3 deficiency points
I = 1 deficiency point
W = 0.5 deficiency point
A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 in courses taken while enrolled as a UT Arlington graduate student may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Advising Resources
The College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at UT Arlington equips students with skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges in design, public policy, and research. Our Advising Office supports academic and career success. Explore our Future Students page to connect with an Academic Advisor and shape your future.
Location:
203 CAPPA Building
Email:
cappa.advising@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-2801