College of Design

Urban & Environmental Design - Graduate

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Jeffrey Johnson

Director of Graduate Studies

Director of the School of Architecture

College of Design

College of Design

112 Pence Hall

Lexington KY 40506

Program website

(859) 257-7617

  • MS

The Master of Science in Urban and Environmental Design (MUED) is a one-year program that examines fundamental principles of policy, planning, and design in urban, rural, and small-town contexts with a focus on emerging urban and environmental problems. Students explore the history and theory of urban and environmental design, develop visualization and graphic representation skills, and examine strategies for creating sustainable communities. A studio-based curriculum highlights the importance of collaboration with diverse stakeholders and relationships between theory and practice. Elective courses examine community planning, research methods, and policy-based solutions. A required thesis provides the opportunity to investigate a significant design problem in depth. MUED recipients who obtain four years of experience in professional planning will be eligible to sit for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam. Those who obtain AICP certification and four additional years of planning experience will be eligible to sit for the AICP Certified Urban Designer (AICPCUD) exam.

Master's Program Description

The Master of Science in Urban and Environmental Design accepts applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. Students who hold an undergraduate degree in a design discipline are required to complete 30 credit hours (2 semesters and 1 summer). Those without design backgrounds take an introductory course and a studio primer (eight credit hours total) during the summer preceding the start of the regular curriculum. This results in a 38-credit-hour program that can be completed in 2 semesters and 2 consecutive summers.

Master's Application Requirements

  1. CV
    • A current resume is required.
  2. Personal Statement
    • Please describe the reasons for your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in urban and environmental design and the aspects of the field that interest you most. Statements should be 2,500 words or less.
  3. Writing Sample
    • ​Samples of professional writing or academic papers are preferred. 
  4. Applicants who have a portfolio of visual materials to submit are encouraged to do so.
  5. GRE
  6. Three letters of recommendation

Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.

Application Deadlines

​Summer: March 1

Fall: March 1


Contact

Jeffrey Johnson

Director of Graduate Studies

Director of the School of Architecture

College of Design

College of Design

112 Pence Hall

Lexington KY 40506

(859) 257-7617