Program Overview

Urban Design, MUD Program Overview

The Master of Urban Design program at The Design School is a transdisciplinary postprofessional graduate program that provides students with practical knowledge and skills to become leaders in designing healthy and resilient urban environments. Students learn and apply newly emerging design knowledge from architecture, landscape architecture, creative placemaking and place-keeping, urban planning, community development, civil engineering, and real estate development.

Program Description

The MUD program offers a three-semester curriculum built around the analysis and understanding of the dynamic urban systems specific to rapidly urbanizing regions of the world. The program leverages the Phoenix metro area as a learning laboratory to understand a number of challenges --- rapid growth and expansion, water scarcity, extreme heat, and the area's distinct ecological and cultural diversity --- toward the development of responsible and innovative design strategies necessary to build just, sustainable and resilient cities.

At a Glance

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

Degree Requirements

• 36 credit hours including the required applied project course (MUD 593)
• Required Core (10 credit hours)
  • MUD 521 Advanced Urban Design Studio I (5)
  • MUD 522 Advanced Urban Design Studio II (5)
• Electives (9 credit hours)
• Other Requirements (12 credit hours)
  • DSC 598 Topic: Principles of Collaboration in Design (3)
  • LAP 598 Topic: Smart City Sustainability and the Environment (3)
  • MUD 598 Topic: Great Cities (3)
  • MUD 598 Topic: Urban Issues (3)
• Culminating Experience (5 credit hours)
  • MUD 593 Applied Project (5)
• Additional Curriculum Information
  • Students should see the academic unit for an approved design professional elective list.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements:
  • All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicant Eligibility:
  • Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree 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.
• Application Requirements:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Letter of intent
  • Portfolio
  • Contact information for two references
  • Professional resume or CV
  • 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 | Modality | Deadline | Type
    • Session A/C | In Person | 05/01 | Final
    • Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Priority

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to work across a diverse spectrum of positions in the design field within public and private sectors and not-for-profit organizations. Potential areas of work include:

• climate change mitigation and adaptation
• community development
• creative placemaking and placekeeping
• environmental and climate justice
• low-impact development
• public health and cities
• smart cities
• sustainable cities
• transit-oriented design
• urban and community resilience

Program Focus Areas

The program focuses on various aspects of urban design, including:

• Climate
• Community
• Ecological
• Future
• Health
• Justice
• Place
• Resilience
• Technology
• Sustainability

By collaborating with experts and industry leaders, students gain hands-on experience in practical projects, reimagining urban spaces for enhanced livability and resilience. Whether aspiring to design vibrant public spaces or advocate for sustainable policies, this program empowers students to shape the cities of tomorrow.