Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Science in Design program with a concentration in space architecture and extreme environments at The Design School is for students passionate about pushing the boundaries of design and engineering to shape the future of human habitation beyond Earth. This interdisciplinary degree program breaks conventional barriers and connects learners to the emerging space sector through innovative partnerships.

Program Description

The program prepares students for a rewarding career in designing alternatives for humanity to live, work, and thrive in space. It involves exploring, learning, and adapting to extreme environments to design habitats, structures, and systems for an interplanetary future. Working collaboratively with people across disciplines and delving into ASU's broader space initiatives, students contribute to designing an inclusive and sustainable pathway to space with humans at the center.

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

Degree Requirements

• 36 credit hours and a thesis, or
• 36 credit hours including the required applied project course (DSC 593)
• Required Core (3 credit hours)
  • DSC 501 Qualitative Research in Design (3)
• Concentration (6 credit hours)
  • DSC 550 Prototyping Futures (3)
  • IND 544 Human Factors Systems and Documentation (3)
• Research Methods (3 credit hours)
  • DSC 500 Research Methods (3)
• Electives (15 credit hours)
  • Research (3 credit hours)
    • DSC 592 Research (3)
• Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
  • DSC 593 Applied Project (6)
  • DSC 599 Thesis (6)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements:
  • All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture, engineering, environmental design, interior design, urban planning, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Applicants are required to submit:
  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. letter of intent
  4. design portfolio
  5. contact information for two references
  6. professional resume or CV
  7. proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session A/C: In Person, 05/01, Final
  • Session A/C: In Person, 01/15, Priority

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the space architecture and extreme environments concentration pursue careers as:

• space architects
• space artists
• space eco-tourism consultants
• space industry analysts
• space industry consultants
• space industrial designers
• space interior designers
• space tourism experience designers
• space visual graphic designers Graduates can specialize for roles specific to the aerospace industry such as:
• aerospace entrepreneur
• environmental control and life support systems designer
• environmental impact assessor
• environmental scientist
• extraterrestrial habitat designer
• planetary designer
• science communicator They also have the skills to work outside the space industry as:
• educators
• human factors specialists
• materials scientists
• sustainable design consultants
• urban space planners

Additional Information

The program provides a wide variety of elective options offered by The Design School and collaborating units so students can tailor their education to align with their research interests and career objectives. Students may also explore other elective courses from affiliated schools with approval. In alignment with their academic and professional aspirations, the culminating experience provides students with the flexibility to choose between a traditional thesis or an applied project. The applied project is an opportunity for hands-on experience in solving practical challenges within extreme environments.