Advanced Urban Design (MS)

College of Architecture, Art and Planning

Program Website

Program Description

The New York City-based Master of Science, Advanced Urban Design program (M.S. AUD) prepares graduates to engage pressing urban, environmental and social issues with the tools of design. The program offers a specialized course of study at the intersection of urban systems, ecologies, technologies, and data in order to ask big questions, to address contemporary wicked problems, and to invigorate public realms. 

Participants in the program deepen their understanding of a range of conceptual topics while developing abilities to uncover, visualize, and translate data into designs of material, spatial, and experiential consequence. The program supports citizen-urbanists interested in making a difference through design in pursuit of new forms of engaged spatial practice. Graduates of the program will be agents of urban change, equipped with advanced skills and with expanded knowledge to apply those skills in meaningful ways.

The M.S. AUD is designated as a STEM program in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (CIP code 04.0902) making international graduates eligible to extend their F-1 visas for up to three years to work in the United States.

M.S. AUD Policies

Students are expected to follow all university, college, and program policies. Failure to comply with any policy or petition decision may result in review by the program committee.

Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing, a student must:

  • Successfully complete a minimum of 12 academic credits each semester; and
  • Earn a minimum semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.300; and
  • Follow the prescribed program curriculum and comply with all university, college, and program policies; and
  • Earn no letter grade lower than C in a design studio class.

Grades

All required courses must be taken for a letter grade. Electives can be taken under the letter or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading basis. 

Specifically:

  • A letter grade of C or higher is required for a design studio class (ARCH 7131ARCH 7132, and ARCH 7133) to be applied toward the design studio requirement.
  • A letter grade of D- or higher is required to apply tools and methods (ARCH 6131ARCH 6132, and ARCH 6133) and theory / analysis courses (ARCH 6331ARCH 6332, and ARCH 6333) toward those degree requirement areas.
  • A letter grade of D- or higher or a grade of S or SX is required for an elective class to be applied toward the elective requirement.

Studio Culture

The department’s Studio Culture Policy is available on the architecture department website.

Advanced Standing / Transfer Credit

There is no advanced standing or transfer credit in the M.S. AUD program. All students must complete all curricular requirements at Cornell’s Gensler Family AAP NYC Center during the semesters specified.