MS Sustainable Building Systems at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The MS in Sustainable Building Systems is a concentration within the Environmental Conservation graduate programme, run with Building and Construction Technology at UMass Amherst. It is offered as a research (thesis) master's and as a professional, coursework-only master's. The programme covers green building, building science, wood engineering and bio-based materials, and construction management and digital design.

Faculty: Department of Environmental Conservation / Building and Construction Technology | Department: Building and Construction Technology | Duration: Research MS: usually 2-3 years (minimum 30 credits); professional (coursework) MS: usually 1-2 years | Intake: Fall (priority Feb 1, latest Mar 1) and Spring (Oct 1) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

The research MS requires at least 30 credits: a sustainable building systems seminar (3 credits), readings in sustainable building systems (3 credits), 21 credits in the major field (ECO and BCT) and a 6-credit thesis, ending in a thesis defence and a publishable-quality paper. Areas of study are wood engineering and bio-based building products, building science and green building, and construction management and digital design.

Career pathways

Management-level positions in green building and sustainability in the built environment, or academic careers.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applications for Fall are due February 1 (priority) and March 1 (latest); Spring applications are due October 1. Applicants apply through the UMass Graduate School. The programme is STEM-classified (CIP 03.0101), which allows international students to extend OPT.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall (priority Feb 1, latest Mar 1) and Spring (Oct 1)

Duration: Research MS: usually 2-3 years (minimum 30 credits); professional (coursework) MS: usually 1-2 years

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