M. S. Program in Sustainable Environmental Systems at Pratt Institute

The School of Architecture at Pratt Institute in New York City, New York, offers a Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Systems that focuses on "participatory planning and sustainable development." Interdisciplinary in nature, the program helps students acquire a holistic understanding of the complex interactions that contribute to environmental problems and gain the ability to work within multiple disciplines to develop and implement sustainable best practices.

Students graduate from the program with the theoretical and technical expertise as well as the collaboration and critical thinking skills needed to obtain positions as policy analysts, program developers, consultants, project managers, advocates, and entrepreneurs. They also leave the program fully capable of facilitating economic, environmental, and social justice in urban areas.

Pratt Institute

Established in 1887, Pratt Institute is located in New York City, New York in the northeastern region of the United States. This independent college of art, design, and architecture offers 4,500 students 24 undergraduate programs and 26 master's degree programs. Its School of Architecture has been ranked among the nation's best by "Design Intelligence" Magazine.

Curriculum Basics

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Sustainable Environmental Systems is a 40-credit program that can be completed in 2 years. To accommodate working professionals, classes are offered in the evenings.

Diverse in nature, the curriculum allows students to create individualized programs that reflect their academic interests and career goals.

Students take both core and elective courses that cover topics such as environmental impact assessment, sustainable communities, green buildings rating systems, environmental economics, and environmental management.

Independent Seminars

The independent seminar provides a formal setting for students to discuss environmental and sustainability issues. The seminar enables students from different backgrounds and academic interests to exchange ideas. In addition, faculty and specialists in the field give lectures about professional practice.

Capstone Requirement

Students are required to complete a capstone project that shows that they have developed the analytical ability and creative skills expected of professionals in the field of environmental systems management. To meet this requirement, students can conduct original research, complete a work-related project, or build upon course-related work.

Diverse Student Body

The graduate program in sustainable environmental systems attracts a population of highly capable students who have a wide-variety of professional experiences, educational backgrounds, and academic interests.

This rich mixture of disciplines, viewpoints, and experience contributes to the interdisciplinary nature of the program and enhances the learning environment.

Experienced Faculty Members

The program's faculty members bring a combination of 'cutting-edge' professional practice and academic expertise to the classroom. They are architects, board members, economic consultants, executives, fund raisers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, urban designers, and writers -- among other professions.

Faculty Members' Professional Endeavors

Eva Hanhardt, is a city and environmental planning consultant who has been teaching at Pratt Institute since 1997 and has worked for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Her practice focuses on community-based and environment planning.

In addition, visiting instructor Carlton Brown is one of the founding partners and chief operating officer of Full Spectrum NY, a company that develops sustainable buildings and "green" affordable housing.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Sustainable Development Master of Science (MS)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 10
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Not reported
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Thesis Required
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied 34
• Accepted 26
• Acceptance Rate 76
• Enrolled 10
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $90
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline January 5th January 5th Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline October 1st October 1st Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's Degreesportfolio or writing sample, letters of recommendation
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 550 paper based, TOEFL iBT

• Tuition & Fees *
• Tuition & FeesNot Reported
• *Average dollar amount (tuition & fees) required to complete the degree
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsFebruary 1
• Types of financial support availableCareer or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Financial Support for Part-time Students, Health Care Benefits, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans, Graduate Assistantships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students28
• Female Percentage86%
• Male Percentage14%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students28
• Part-time Percentage32%
• Full-time Percentage68%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino11%
• Black / African American4%
• White / Caucasian25%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian11%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races-1%
• Unknown or International Student50%

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty
• Full-time PercentageNot Reported
• Part-time PercentageNot Reported
• Female PercentageNot Reported
• Male PercentageNot Reported