Getting Started

College: SBS

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Although the following General Education courses are not required, they are recommended for the major. Freshmen may consider taking:

ENGLWRIT 112 (CW);
MATH 104 (R1);
ARCH 211 (HS-DG);
ART 104 (AT);
ART 105 (AT);
ART-HIST 115 (AT-DG);
ART-HIST 118 (AT-DG);
BCT 150 (I);
ENVIRSCI 101 (BS);
GEOGRAPH 100 (PS);
GEOGRAPH 102 (SB-DG);
GEO-SCI 285 (PS);
NRC 100 (SI);
NRC 185 (SI);
RES-ECON 102 (SB);
STOCKSCH 100 (BS);
STOCKSCH 105 (BS);
SUSTCOMM 110 (SB-DU);
SUSTCOMM 125 (SB-DG);
SUSTCOMM 140 (AT);
SUSTCOMM 205 (I-DU);
SUSTCOMM 232 (HS-DG);
SUSTCOMM 333 (SB-DU).

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite courses

Recommended for getting to know the major (not required for majors; open to non-majors)

LANDARCH 197D - Introduction to Environmental Design (Spring)
SUSTCOMM 110 – Transforming Your World: Intro to Community Engagement (Fall)
SUSTCOMM 125 – Global Cities and Global Issues (Spring)
SUSTCOMM 140 – Awareness of the Visual Environment (Fall)
SUSTCOMM 205 – Dynamics of Human Habitation (Fall or Online Summer)
SUSTCOMM 232 – Sustainable Cities (Spring)
SUSTCOMM 297L - Visual Communication: Design Principles & Digital Skills (Fall)

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

No formal application is required. Students should meet with the Program Director to declare the major, preferably prior to fall semester of the sophomore year.

Transfer Students

In order to complete the required design studio sequence, all transfers must complete six consecutive semesters in the program beginning with the fall semester. The major requires a three-year sequence of courses that begin in the fall.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 73

Six consecutive semesters of Design Studios. The studio sequence begins in the fall semester of a student’s sophomore year and must be taken in sequential order with each studio building upon the previous one. Studio classes range from small scale residential design to public park design to urban waterfront redevelopment to regional land use planning (36 credits).
Three Natural & Cultural Factors Courses (11 credits)
Six Professional Skills Courses (19 credits)
Two Landscape History courses (7 credits)

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Is there a minor?
No! A minor is not available. The Department does offer a related minor in Sustainable Community Development.

For further information, contact:
Professor Patricia McGirr
226 Design Building
413-545-6621
mcgirr@larp.umass.edu