Shape a More Sustainable Future
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign equips you to design solutions for a changing world. From green infrastructure to circular economies, you’ll learn how design connects with science, technology, and policy. This interdisciplinary program develops creative thinkers ready to plan, prototype, and build resilient systems.
Students install solar panels during a study abroad trip in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.
Skills for Real Impact
Our program brings together new and existing courses to create an interdisciplinary, hands-on education in sustainable design. You’ll gain the skills to shape greener communities, influence organizations, and prepare for careers in both the public and private sectors—or to continue your journey in graduate studies.
Focus Areas:
- Sustainability & Stewardship – Explore renewable energy, resource efficiency, and ecological resilience.
- Design & Innovation – Work across architecture, urban planning, and landscape design with visualization tools like CAD.
- Systems Thinking – Understand how policy, technology, and community engagement drive environmental solutions.
Students install solar panels during a study abroad trip in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.
Why Illinois?
Why Choose Illinois?
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you’ll study sustainable design in a setting where big ideas meet real-world impact. You’ll learn in one of the nation’s leading research universities, alongside experts in design, engineering, policy, and environmental science. Our campus is a living lab for sustainability—with green infrastructure projects, advanced studios, and opportunities to test your ideas in action.
- Interdisciplinary Edge – Collaborate across architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, product and communication design, and environmental science.
- Hands-On Learning – Work on projects that connect design with communities, technology, and policy.
- Top-Tier Reputation – A world-class university known for innovation, research, and creativity.
- Personalized Program, Big University Impact – Small-program attention with access to Illinois’ unmatched resources.
- Launch Your Future – Gain the skills to enter fields from green building to policy analysis—or pursue graduate studies in design and sustainability.
Where This Degree Can Take You
Sustainable Design graduates are prepared for careers and advanced study in fields such as:
- Green building & architecture
- Urban and regional planning
- Environmental policy and program management
- Renewable energy and clean technology
- Landscape restoration and conservation
- Graduate programs in design and sustainability fields
Earn a Graduate Degree in Record Time
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design degree have the opportunity to apply for and complete one of three accelerated graduate programs within the College of Fine & Applied Arts, giving them a major boost on their resume without sacrificing too much time or money. This means, they will only need an additional 1-2 years after their initial 4 years to complete a graduate program in one of the following areas:
- Master in Urban Planning
- Master of Fine Arts in Design for Responsible Innovation
- Master in Landscape Architecture
Hear more from our students!
