Program Overview

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Introduction to Harvard Graduate School of Design

The Harvard Graduate School of Design offers a wide range of programs for students interested in design, research, and scholarship. The school aims to educate leaders who can make a resilient, just, and beautiful world.

Academics

The school 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 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

Admissions

The admissions process includes:

• How to Apply
• Application Requirements
• International Applicants
• Navigating the Application (FAQ)
• Connect with Admissions
• Virtual Sessions
• Virtual Fall Open Houses
• Admissions Tours
• Funding Opportunities
• Scholarships and Grants
• Outside Scholarships
• Student Loans
• Financial Aid FAQ
• Financial Aid

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 school 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 school has a faculty directory, student directory, staff directory, alumni directory, and affiliates directory.

Offices & Facilities

The school 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 school has various public discourse initiatives, including:

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

Calendar

The school has an academic calendar, application deadlines, and a calendar of events and exhibitions.

Alumni & Support

The school has an alumni council, alumni resources, and opportunities for support, including:

• Annual Giving
• Gift Planning
• Impact
• Ways to Give
• Fellowships & Financial Aid Funds
• Development & Alumni Relations Office

About

The school has a mission and values statement, a commitment to community, and a leadership and administration team. The school is located in Gund Hall, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02318.

Master in Real Estate Practicum Prep

The Master in Real Estate Practicum is a three-part academic experience that enables students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their time in-residence at Harvard to a practice-based institutional environment. The Practicum begins with a 0-unit Prep Seminar in the Fall and Spring terms, where students are introduced to participating organizations, explore emerging trends in professional practice, and prepare for a productive summer placement. During the Summer term, students complete a two-month, full-time Practicum with a private, public, or non-profit real estate organization, participating in ongoing real estate projects or initiatives that advance cutting-edge practices, including those promoting social and environmental best practices. The experience concludes with a final paper and participation in two days of presentations and discussion at the GSD during Orientation Week. Participation is limited to students in the Master in Real Estate program at the GSD.