Program Overview
Introduction to the Harvard Graduate School of Design
The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) is a premier institution for design, research, and scholarship, aiming to create a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers a wide range of programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and design studies.
Academics
The GSD provides various academic programs, including:
- Master of Architecture I
- Master of Architecture I AP
- Master of Architecture II
- Master in Landscape Architecture I
- Master in Landscape Architecture I AP
- Master in Landscape Architecture II
- Master of Architecture in Urban Design / Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design
- Master in Urban Planning
- Master in Real Estate
- Concurrent and Joint Degrees
- Master in Design Engineering
- Master in Design Studies
- Doctor of Design
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Early Design Education
- Executive Education
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the GSD programs are:
- January 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET for MArch, MLA, MUP, MAUD, MLAUD, MRE, DDes
- January 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET for MDes, MDE
Master in Landscape Architecture I (MLA I) Program
The MLA I program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree without a studio-based major in architecture or landscape architecture. The program requires:
- An undergraduate degree
- Transcripts from prior institutions
- Letters of recommendation
- Essays
- Portfolio
- Resume
- GRE scores (optional)
- Prerequisite courses (environmental science, history of the built environment, and visual arts)
- TOEFL scores (for international applicants)
Prerequisite Courses
The MLA I program requires the completion of several prerequisite courses, including:
- One semester of environmental science
- One semester of history of the built environment
- One semester of visual arts
TOEFL Requirements
International applicants must take the TOEFL test and submit official scores with the following exception:
- Applicants who hold or are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree that includes a minimum of three years of in-person, full-time study where English is the sole medium of instruction in certain countries are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
Research Areas
The GSD has various research areas, including:
- Centers (e.g., Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities, Joint Center for Housing Studies)
- Initiatives (e.g., Aga Khan Program, Harvard Mellon Urban Initiative)
- Projects
- Groups and Labs (e.g., Critical Landscapes Design Lab, Geometry Lab)
Public Discourse
The GSD engages in public discourse through:
- Harvard Design Magazine
- Publications
- Exhibitions
- Public Programs
- Podcasts
People
The GSD has a diverse community of:
- Faculty
- Students
- Staff
- Alumni
- Affiliates
Offices and Facilities
The GSD has various offices and facilities, including:
- Academic Affairs
- Student Affairs
- Administrative Offices
- Research and Production
- Frances Loeb Library
- Fabrication Lab
- Information Technologies
About the GSD
The GSD is committed to creating a resilient, just, and beautiful world through design, research, and scholarship. The school has a strong mission and values, with a focus on community, academic integrity, and respectful engagement. The GSD is led by a dean and has an administrative leadership council and executive committee. The school also has a news section and a history of Gund Hall.