Overview of Environmental Design
Environmental Design is a broad discipline that encompasses multiple professions including landscape architecture, architecture, planning, and urban design. It combines knowledge from various related fields to benefit the environment and community. This involves considering environmental policy, environmental ethics, aesthetics, landscape design, urban design, and natural science.
Career Opportunities in Environmental Design
Environmental Design can be applied to private, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. Professionals in this field may work as landscape architects, architects, urban designers, city planners, and conservationists. Environmental Design professionals may also work in research institutions, consulting services, and government agencies.
Internship and Co-op Opportunities
Many universities provide students with internship and co-op opportunities in Environmental Design. Students can gain hands-on experience as well as develop their skills by getting a first-hand understanding of the profession in the field.
Specialized Tracks & Concentrations
Many schools offer specialized tracks and concentrations within Environmental Design. These could include landscape design, city planning, urban design, energy and environmental policy, sustainable design, landscape architecture, ecological planning, and green building. Each concentration offers students an opportunity to specialize within their chosen career.
Preparing for Graduate School or Further Education
Environmental Design provides students with the knowledge and skills that can be applied to a graduate school or further education. It teaches students to think critically and objectively while also providing them with an understanding of natural systems, environment and human behavior. This knowledge can be applied to any field within the environmental sciences.
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Environmental Design
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied to Environmental Design in order to create predictive models that can provide informed decisions. By utilizing AI, design professionals are able to accurately assess the environmental impact of a project, identify potential problems and develop solutions that are both cost-effective and sustainable.
Career Outlook for Environmental Design
The career outlook for Environmental Design is positive. There is an increased demand for green buildings and sustainable design, creating numerous job opportunities for professionals in this field. With the emergence of AI, the field of Environmental Design is set to continue to evolve and develop, in line with the changing needs of society.
Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Environmental Design:
- Cornell University, Salary: $58,069
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Salary: $42,517
- Florida Atlantic University, Salary: $42,280
- Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, Salary: $40,015
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Salary: $35,881
- University of California-Davis, Salary: $34,527
- University of Colorado Boulder, Salary: $34,307
- Utah State University, Salary: $32,039
- Montana State University, Salary: $20,010
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Salary: $15,370
For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design.

