MSD Design (Space Architecture and Extreme Environments) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of design and engineering to shape the future of human habitation beyond Earth, the Master of Science in Design program with a concentration in space architecture and extreme environments at The Design School is for you. This interdisciplinary program breaks conventional barriers and connects learners to the emerging space sector through innovative partnerships. You investigate how to live on another planet while discovering ways to improve lives on Earth.

What you will study

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) Additional Curriculum Information A wide variety of elective options are offered by The Design School and collaborating units, enabling students to tailor their education to align with their research interests and career objectives.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared to 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

Official programme page

Application information

Entry 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 a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts letter of intent design portfolio contact information for two references professional resume or CV proof of English proficiency Additional Admission Information An applicant whose native language is not English is required to provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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