Marywood University

What you'll study

The programme is a four-year, studio-centred curriculum that blends creative design studio work with courses in environmental science, building systems and professional practice. Core studio sequences develop visual communication, methodical design development and model-making, progressing from small-scale exercises to comprehensive site projects.

• Design Studio: iterative studio projects emphasising form, space, site analysis and human factors
• Environmental Systems & Building Science: fundamentals of energy, daylighting, passive strategies, materials and building performance
• Site Planning & Landscape Principles: grading, stormwater management, planting design and ecological site stewardship
• Digital Tools & Representation: CAD, BIM basics, GIS, rendering and digital fabrication techniques
• History & Theory: architectural and environmental design history, precedents and design theory
• Ecology & Sustainability: principles of sustainable design, conservation, and climate-responsive strategies
• Professional Practice: project management, codes, ethics, portfolio development and preparation for graduate study or licensure trajectories
• General Education: communication, mathematics, natural and social sciences to ensure a broad liberal-arts grounding

Students commonly engage in hands-on labs, community-based projects, site visits and collaborative work with faculty across related programmes. The degree is typically regarded as a pre-professional foundation for graduate programmes in architecture or for entry into allied environmental and planning careers; students should confirm professional accreditation or licensing requirements for their intended career path.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically consider a combination of academic record, portfolio or examples of creative work, and letters of recommendation. Recommended preparatory subjects include mathematics, visual arts or design, and natural sciences; participation in art, drafting or technology classes is advantageous.

Marywood evaluates applications holistically; standardised test submission policies can vary, so candidates should consult the university for current guidance. Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and any design coursework or portfolio items that demonstrate readiness for studio work.

Career prospects

Graduates of an Environmental Design bachelor’s programme go on to a variety of careers across the built and natural environment sectors. Common pathways include:

• Environmental designer or design technician in architectural and landscape practices
• Urban or regional planning assistant and community design specialist
• Sustainable design consultant or building performance analyst
• Landscape designer, site planner or ecological restoration technician
• Positions in government agencies, non-profit conservation organisations and design-build firms
• Further professional study: many students pursue graduate degrees in architecture (professional M.Arch), landscape architecture, environmental planning or related fields

Graduates often pursue professional credentials such as LEED accreditation or additional technical certifications; those aiming for licensed architecture typically continue to a NAAB-accredited professional degree.

Why study at Marywood University

Marywood offers a small, supportive learning environment where students benefit from close faculty mentorship and hands-on studio culture. The campus setting provides convenient access to fieldwork opportunities in varied urban and natural contexts, and faculty often collaborate with regional design and conservation organisations to give students real-world project experience.

The programme’s interdisciplinary approach connects design with environmental science, sustainability and community engagement, preparing graduates to address contemporary ecological and planning challenges. Students also gain practical skills in digital tools and fabrication that are in demand by employers and useful for graduate study.