Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design
A degree that combines creativity, systems thinking, and sustainability to solve real-world challenges.
→ Follow a Unique, Interdisciplinary Path
→ Gain Skills for Real Impact
→ Shape a More Sustainable Future
What is the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design?
The Sustainable Design Program incorporates design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning to address the places, things, systems, and policies needed to help solve problems in a sustainable society. Students follow an innovative, interdisciplinary, and unique course of study that prepares them for jobs in the public or private sector, or to continue their education in a variety of graduate programs.
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Say hello to… the peer critique team!!
We’re so excited to welcome our newest SAC members and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish in their new positions!
Let`s meet the team-->
What does the peer critique team do?
This team hosts portfolio events to help BSSD students document their interdisciplinary work in a comprehensive design portfolio!
Psst! 1st and 2nd year students!
The peer critics have expert advice on how to thrive in your discipline specific design courses and document your best work!
Kiara Shannon:
Hello everyone! I am Kiara, studying Sustainable Design, with an architecture minor. I have a passion for design, architecture, interior spaces, and sustainable built environments. Through my academic and design experiences, I’ve been able to explore adaptive reuse, sustainable materials, and human-focused design. I am also a member of the Design Team on Illinois Solar Decathlon, an organization here at the university. I look forward to meeting prospective and current students, hearing their perspectives and experiences, and helping create an environment where every student feels heard, supported, and that they belong within the Sustainable Design program.
Jenesse Lo:
Jenesse is a dual major in Sustainable
Design + Cognitive Psychology. This is her second year serving on the BSSD SAC! She is excited to continue working to help shape the Sustainable Design program and support other students experiences in the major.
Olivia Amaya:
Hello! My name is Olivia Amaya and I am a Senior in the BSSD program with a minor and concentration in architecture. I am a transfer student from the University of Rhode Island and found the space I thrive within the college of FAA. I am a regular member of SECS, the Students for Environmental Concerns, and an active member of Alpha Rho Chi, a professional fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. My passions include, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, passive solar practices amongst a plethora of sustainable design principles.
Thinking about taking the next step in your education? Interested in grad school but not sure where to begin? Check out these helpful tips to help you navigate the grad school application process and get started on the right foot!
How to find grad programs:
Petersons.com-- general database
Accreditation Agency Databases
School Websites
Talk to faculty, current students, alumni, supervisors
Speak to Admission Reps
Attend Graduate and Professional School Fair
Talk to real people about the program
Connect with people on LinkedIn
(Talking to people currently in the program you are interested in can provide first hand insight that you won’t get from a website)
Typical application process:
Personal Statement
Letters of Rec - 3
Admissions Exam – often optional
Portfolio-- likely needed for a design related program
Submit Official Transcripts – know how long it takes to get transcripts sent
Prepare for Interviews – know if the program will require an interview
BE AWARE OF DEADLINES
Personal statement strategies:
Opportunity to write about your own personal story, experiences, and academic journey
Why do you want to get this degree & How have you prepared?
Address any gaps in your academic career
Highlight specific faculty/advisors, research or opportunities that draw you to this particular program
Have your statement reviewed – career center and writer’s workshop
Letters of recommendation:
Who should you ask?
A professor who knows you well
Someone who knows your work experience (lab, internship)
Ask early
it is courteous to ask a month in advance, especially if you need multiple letters
provide resume / CV, program description, and a draft of a personal statement if possible
Keep your references informed and updated!
This process will provide great letters of rec that are focused on your program
Required exams:
Does your Program require the GRE?
Is there another exam you need to take?
When is the exam offered?
Become a Sustainable Designer
Join the program through intercollegiate transfer!
Requirements:
Brief application with personal statement.
Demonstrated progress toward campus General Education requirements.
No portfolio requirement.
Sophomore-level transfer:
2.0 GPA minimum (Illinois and cumulative)
Strong applicants will have completed at least one of the following: ARCH 171, FAA 230, LA 101, UP 136, ARTH 211, a drawing course.
Junior-level transfer:
2.25 GPA minimum (Illinois and cumulative)
Must have completed ARCH 171
Must have completed a drawing course (ARTD 225, LA 280, or other).
Recommend completion of ARCH 172, LA 101, UP 136, ARTH 211
Students with higher than Junior standing will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Contact the Sustainable Design Advisor to discuss options. sustaindesign@illinois.edu
Apply Now for Spring admission!
Spring term: Applications accepted May 1 to October 15 for Spring 2027.
Admissions decisions provided two weeks after deadline.
Fall term: Applications accepted December 1 to March 15 for the upcoming fall 2027 term.
Join us on our field trip to Trillium Dell Timberworks!
From Forest to Finished Product: Exploring Sustainable Wood Stewardship
Travel Day:
Friday, October 23, 2026
8:00am - 5:30pm
Sign up by:
Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
5:00pm
For more info/Sign up at: https://go.illinois.edu/SDevent
On this field trip, students and faculty will spend a day at Firmitas Timber at the Trillium Dell Facility in Galesburg, Il. We will spend the day tracing the journey of a tree from the forest to a finished wood product. Students will participate in a guided forest tour, learn about sustainable forestry and forest product management, observe harvesting and production processes, tour a woodworking facility, and engage in hands-on activities that connect natural resources to manufacturing and design for Timber Frame and Preservation Woodworking.
Participants should plan to bring their own lunch and any personal needs for the day, including a water bottle and weather appropriate clothing.
We will begin at 8:00am and return to UIUC by 5:30pm.
Sustainable Design Program will provide space on buses for up to 30 participants.
All participants must fill-in the paper or digital copy of the field trip authorization form prior to departure.
Schedule:
08:00 a.m. – Depart UIUC from University of Illinois
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Forest Tour and Discussion
12:45–2:15 p.m. – Shop Tour, Demonstrations, and Hands-On Activities
2:15–3:15 p.m. – Materials Discussion and Wrap-Up
5:30 p.m. – Arrive at University of Illinois
Say hello to... the peer mentors!!
We`re excited to welcome our newest SAC members and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish in their new positions!
Let`s meet the team! -->
What do peer mentors do?
Share their experiences with students about applying for scholarships,
study abroad opportunities, exploring dual majors and more.
Karla Medrano:
Hi! My name is Karla Medrano, I am a Senior majoring in Sustainable Design and minoring in Architecture. I am involved in a RSO called H.O.U.S.E (Hispanic Organization of Urban Studies and the Environment) where I am the Social Media Manager! I am also part of TrEEE(Epsilon Eta Epsilon), a professional co-ed Fraternity for Sustainable and Environmental Students, where I am the Treasurer for. Lastly, I am part of the iSEE iCAP team clerk for the transportation team. A fun fact, I went to Study Abroad last semester in spring break to London! To learn about their sustainability and environment.
Jude Andalora:
Hey I`m Jude, and I`m a Junior in Sustainable Design from Buffalo, NY. This will be my second year on the BSSD Student Advisory Committee, as I helped plan some fun events we had last year as well as provided feedback. I very much look forward to doing more of the same and spending time working with others to ensure students have a voice in shaping our major, improving student experience, and supporting the growth of this exciting program!
Faye Wettstein:
Hi, I`m Faye! I`m a senior double majoring in Sustainable Design and Urban Planning. I`m passionate about reimagining cities to reduce health risks from extreme weather events, while promoting equity and disaster preparedness. On campus I`ve been involved with Illinois Enactus, Habitat for Humanity, the iCAP Zero Waste Team, and the Campus Honors program. I just had the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! I`m currently interning with the Village of Savoy and I`m working as a Housing and Transportation Policy Fellow with the Alliance for Civic Engagement.
Cody Drake:
I am a senior pursuing dual degrees in Advertising and Sustainable Design...
We’re excited to spotlight a new member of the BSSD Faculty Advisory Committee, Andrew Weiss!
Professor Weiss is joining our committee to support, advise, and help guide BSSD students. We’re so excited to have him as part of our team!
Welcome, Professor Weiss!
BSSD: What is your profession?
AW: My formal education is in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, but the majority of my career has been in a Planning role within the Parks and Recreation field.
BSSD: How is sustainable design integrated into your career?
AW: Broadly speaking, the health and wellness that Parks and Recreation delivers to our world is immense! Some aspects of planning and designing outdoor recreational space are intrinsically sustainable, like planting a certain percentage and diversity of tree canopy, for instance. Our parks and green spaces are being asked to do more and more every year; whether it`s stormwater detention or communications infrastructure, integrating those types of additional demands into outdoor public space requires a certain level of resourcefulness and creativity, both individually and collectively. Operating and maintaining well-loved parks so they don`t become a victim of their own success also offers a lot of opportunity for sustainable practices.
BSSD: How did you get to where you are now?
AW: I finished my BArch at the University of Illinois at Chicago and my MLA here at Urbana-Champaign, where I`ve called home now for over twenty years.
BSSD: What courses are you teaching within campus?
AW: This semester I`m involved with:
ARCH 273 Fundamentals of Design I and
LA 280 Design Communications I.
BSSD: What kind of skills do you hope students gain from taking this course?
AW: believe that Fundamentals of Design (Arch 273) is the "what" a designer wants or needs to say.
Design Communication (LA 280) is the "how" a designer effectively conveys those ideas and intuitions to others.
BSSD: What are some interesting and interactive skills within these courses?
AW: The most interesting and interactive skill to be gained and practiced in any undergraduate design course is the ability to deliver one`s internal and at times very personal ideas to a greater...
Find BSSD at the Majors and Minors Fair!!
Visit our table to learn more about the sustainable design program!
When? September 28th, 2026
What time? 1:30-4:00 pm
Where? Illini Union Ballrooms A, B, C and the South & Pine Lounges
Scan the QR code to learn more or visit
https://go.illinois.edu/ApplyICTtoSustainDesign
See you there!
The BSSD program loves celebrating our amazing alumni and all they’ve accomplished since graduation!
This week, we’re shining the spotlight on 2024 alum Jeremiah Pope! Let`s celebrate Jeremiah and his incredible work post-graduation!
BSSD: Tell us about yourself!
JP: “I`m Jeremiah Pope, I am a STEM coordinator with the Chicago Urban League. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2024. I majored in sustainable design and had a minor in media. Throughout my entire life, I always enjoyed giving back to the community and documenting everything that I go through. It gives me purpose and everything to drive for. I love integrating design into subjects that I am passionate about like Black/Brown communities and how to put those ideas into a larger scale.”
BSSD: What is your profession?
JP: “I am a STEM coordinator within the Chicago Urban League. I`m currently developing programs between 3 different schools ranging from 30-70 students a week. Within this position, I come up with how I want students to experience STEM. In order to accomplish that, I do a lot of research on what is trending with the STEM department, as well as trying to see what students are interested in. I incorporate this into the iSTEAM playbook, which is essentially integrating STEM within sports and teaching students different fields that are in the sports sector. I also work as a mentor for students to navigate them through the education process ranging from middle school to high school, high school to college, and from college to the next steps.”
BSSD: How did you get to where you are now?
JP: “After graduating in 2024, I took a gap year opportunity with City Year. During City Year, I was able to work within the schools of my own community. This experience also exposed me to the possibilities in terms of career choices. After City Year, I got a role as an energy efficiency with Peoples Gas in collaboration with After School Matters. Within this role I learned about LEED, which made me realize I can implement what I learned in sustainable design and add it to something new. After that year, I was fortunate enough to land a job as a STEM coordinator..
