PhD Sustainable Building Systems at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The PhD in Sustainable Building Systems is a concentration within Environmental Conservation at UMass Amherst, centred on independent advanced dissertation research. Faculty work in green building, bio-based composite mechanics, timber engineering and design, building energy modelling, sustainable construction management and BIM.

Faculty: Department of Environmental Conservation / Building and Construction Technology | Department: Building and Construction Technology | Duration: Usually 3-5 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

Requirements are set mainly by the advisory committee: at least 10 dissertation credits, two consecutive full-time semesters of residency, a comprehensive exam covering the three core topic areas, a dissertation defence and at least three publishable-quality papers.

Career pathways

Research, development and academic careers in sustainable building and construction.

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: Usually 3-5 years

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