Program Overview

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Introduction to the Harvard Graduate School of Design

The Harvard Graduate School of Design is a premier institution for design, research, and scholarship, aiming to create a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The school offers a wide range of programs in design, including architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and more.

Academics

The Harvard Graduate School of Design offers 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 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

Financial Aid Deadlines

The financial aid deadlines are:

• October: FAFSA opens to applicants
• Mid-March: GSD financial aid application opens
• Mid-April: Financial aid application deadline
• Late May/Early June: Notification of financial aid awards

Research

The Harvard Graduate School of Design has various research centers and initiatives, including:

• Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities
• Joint Center for Housing Studies
• Aga Khan Program
• Harvard Mellon Urban Initiative
• Laboratory for Design Technologies
• Critical Landscapes Design Lab
• Geometry Lab
• Grinham Research Group
• Healthy Places Lab
• Just City Lab
• Material Processes and Systems Group
• Office for Urbanization
• Responsive Environments & Artifacts Lab
• Laboratory for Values in the Built Environment

People

The Harvard Graduate School of Design has a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff. The school has various directories, including:

• Faculty Directory
• Student Directory
• Staff Directory
• Alumni Directory
• Affiliates Directory

Offices & Facilities

The Harvard Graduate School of Design has various offices and facilities, including:

• Academic Affairs
• Academic Administration
• Academic Planning and Innovation
• Academic Administration Business Office
• Advanced Studies Programs
• Department of Architecture
• Department of Landscape Architecture
• Department of Urban Planning and Design
• Faculty Affairs
• Student Affairs
• Admissions
• Career Services
• Financial Aid
• Registrar
• Student Life
• Administrative Offices
• Communications
• Dean’s Office
• Development & Alumni Relations
• Community, Impact and Opportunity
• Facilities and Campus Operations
• Finance & Research Administration
• Human Resources
• Research and Production
• Frances Loeb Library
• Fabrication Lab
• Information Technologies

Public Discourse

The Harvard Graduate School of Design engages in public discourse through various publications, exhibitions, and public programs, including:

• Harvard Design Magazine
• Publications
• Exhibitions
• Public Programs
• Podcasts

Calendar

The Harvard Graduate School of Design has a calendar of upcoming events and exhibitions, including:

• Academic Calendars & Schedules
• Application Deadlines
• GSD Now

Alumni & Support

The Harvard Graduate School of Design has a strong alumni community and offers various ways to support the school, including:

• Alumni & Friends
• Events
• Alumni Updates
• Alumni Council
• Dean’s Council
• Alumni Resources
• FAQ
• Support the GSD
• Annual Giving
• Gift Planning
• Impact
• Ways to Give
• Fellowships & Financial Aid Funds
• Development & Alumni Relations Office

About

The Harvard Graduate School of Design is committed to creating a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The school has a strong mission and values, including:

• Commitment to Community
• Community Values, Rights, and Responsibilities
• Academic Integrity
• Respectful Engagement
• Equitable Accountability
• Leadership & Administration
• Message from the Dean
• Administrative Leadership Council
• Executive Committee
• News
• History of Gund Hall

MAUD/MLAUD Degree Requirements

A candidate will be recommended for the Master of Architecture in Urban Design or Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design upon satisfactory completion of the following course of study.

First Term

• 0 units | STU 1221 Preterm Workshop (August)
• 8 units | STU 1221 Elements of Urban Design Core Studio
• 4 units | HIS 4496 Urban Design Contexts and Operations
• 4 units | SES 5210 Cities by Design
• 4 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**

Second Term

• 8 units | Urban Planning and Design Option Studio**
• 12 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**

Third Term

Second Year Declaration Pathways:

Pathway 1:

• 8 units | Option Studio
• 12 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**

Pathway 2:

• 8 units | Option Studio
• 4 units | ADV 9204 Preparation for Independent Thesis Proposal for UPD
• 8 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**

Pathway 3:

• 12 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**
• 8 units | Option Studio (substitute with electives if taking in the spring term)**

Fourth Term

Second Year Declaration Pathways:

Pathway 1:

• 8 units | Option Studio
• 12 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**

Pathway 2:

• 8 units | ADV 9302 Independent Thesis
• 12 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**

Pathway 3:

• 12 units | Distributional electives* and/or general electives**
• 8 units | Option Studio (substitute with electives if taken in the fall term)**

Footnotes

• Distributional Elective Requirements: Students must take a total of twelve units in two subject areas: Models of Development and Urban Systems and Forms. At least four units must be taken in each category. If a course appears on both lists, it can only be counted once. ** No more than fifty percent of units may be taken outside the GSD in a given term. ** Students in their second term must complete an option studio offered by the UPD Department. Jointly offered options studios may not be eligible. ** Students in their second year may meet their degree requirements by declaring one of three pathways. A student must complete at least one option studio in their second year. Candidates pursuing thesis in the spring must take an option studio and ADV 9204 Preparation of Independent Thesis Proposal for UPD in the fall term. Students who receive a minimum final grade of “Pass” in both Elements and UPD Option Studio and, at minimum, a “High Pass” in one of the two OR a minimum final grade of “Pass” in all first-year courses and, at a minimum, a “High Pass” in at least three 4-unit degree requirements or distributional electives are eligible to meet their degree requirements by declaring thesis or taking twenty units of courses in either the fall or spring in their final year.