Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program
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Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program

Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program

The Graduate School of Design educates leaders in design, research, and scholarship to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world.

48 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

About Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program

The Design Discovery Program, also referred to as the Career Discovery Program, is a summer program offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD). It is designed for individuals seeking to explore design ideas, tools, and techniques, whether to prepare for a degree program in a design field, for a career transition, or for professional development. The program typically runs for three to six weeks and offers an immersive experience across disciplines such as architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning and design. Participants engage in intensive studio work, lectures, and workshops, focusing on hands-on projects and discussions. This program aims to foster creative exploration and provide a deeper understanding of design's impact on the built environment, highlighting how design contributes to a more resilient, just, and beautiful world.
Program NameDetails
Master of Architecture (MArch I)
Master

This accredited professional degree program is designed for individuals holding a bachelor's degree in a field other than design, or a pre-professional undergraduate major in design. The curriculum integrates technical and humanistic methods of inquiry with written and visual modes of representation.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master of Architecture (MArch II)
Master (Post-Professional)

This post-professional degree is for individuals who have completed a five-year undergraduate professional program in architecture or its equivalent. It is intended for students with a strong interest in engaging the practice and theory of contemporary urbanism.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA I)
Master

This accredited professional degree is for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree with a major other than one of the design professions. The curriculum emphasizes design techniques and processes required to design a landscape.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA I AP)
Master

Details for this program were not found in the provided context.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA II)
Master (Post-Professional)

Details for this program were not found in the provided context.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design (MLAUD)
Master (Post-Professional)

This program is for individuals who have completed a professional program in Landscape Architecture and who have a strong interest in engaging the practice and theory of contemporary urbanism. It challenges students to rethink design within the climate of economic speculation, political negotiation and democratic struggle that often characterizes urban development today.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master of Architecture in Urban Design (MAUD)
Master (Post-Professional)

This program is intended for individuals who have completed a professional program in Architecture and who have a strong interest in engaging the practice and theory of contemporary urbanism. It integrates technical and humanistic methods of inquiry with written and visual modes of representation.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master in Urban Planning (MUP)
Master

This program engages with critical issues facing cities and regions and focuses on the built environment. It also leads to professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.

2 years
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Doctor of Design (DDes)
Doctoral

This program is geared towards applied research that advances design-related knowledge in a broad range of scales from product design to regional planning. It is designed for highly creative and motivated professionals who wish to conduct rigorous, intensive design research.

3 years
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctoral

This program is intended for individuals who wish to enter teaching and advanced research careers. Students may study for a PhD degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning.

5+ years
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master in Real Estate (MRE)
Master

Details for this program were not found in the provided context.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master in Design Engineering (MDE)
Master

This program prepares the next generation of leaders to create transformative solutions that positively improve society. The integrated fields of design and engineering are uniquely positioned to address the world's toughest challenges.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.
Master in Design Studies (MDes)
Master (Post-Professional)

This post-professional program empowers students to address the most urgent and complex conditions of our time. It is aimed at those who want to pair their design knowledge with tools to enable careers in public service, academia, NGOs and innovative ventures.

Varies based on prior education
English
Not specified in the provided context.
Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are closed.

Performance & Metrics

Institutional Stats
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Students
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Faculty
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Alumni
13
Programs
Accreditations & Affiliations
The Master of Architecture (MArch) is an accredited professional degree. The Harvard Graduate School of Design's architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
Admissions
Specific acceptance rate for the Career Discovery Program is not publicly disclosed; it hosts an average of 225-300 participants per year.
Acceptance Rate
career_discovery_program: Specific acceptance rate for the Career Discovery Program is not publicly disclosed; it hosts an average of 225-300 participants per year.
gsd_graduate_programs_overall: Historically between 15% and 22% (Academic Years 2017-2022).
Deadlines
gsd_graduate_programs_general
January 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET (for the following academic year).
career_discovery_program_application_fee
A non-refundable $85 application fee is due upon submission.
Requirements
gsd_graduate_programs_general: Completed application form, academic transcripts, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, portfolio (for most programs), and test scores (GRE, TOEFL/IELTS) if applicable. For M.Arch I, any undergraduate degree is acceptable. For M.Arch II, a five-year undergraduate professional degree in architecture or its equivalent.
career_discovery_program_specific: Must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. Requires a high level of academic skill. For in-person international students, a valid U.S. study visa is required (Harvard will not sponsor new visas for this program). Application materials include a Statement of Intent (250 words or less), Resume or CV, and Academic History/University Transcripts.
Recent Rankings
Harvard's architecture program secured the top spot in the 2022 Best Architecture Master's (BAM) ranking.
As of 2016, the program's ten-year average ranking placed it first, overall, on DesignIntelligence's ranking of programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program Academic FAQ

Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program is The Graduate School of Design educates leaders in design, research, and scholarship to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world.

The acceptance rate for Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program is [object Object], reflecting the selectivity of its academic programs.

Applicants are typically required to submit: [object Object].

Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program provides a comprehensive curriculum including: Master of Architecture (MArch I), Master of Architecture (MArch II), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA I), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA I AP), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA II).

The institution maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of [object Object], ensuring personalized mentorship and studio culture.

Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program is situated in Cambridge, United States, offering a vibrant context for architectural study.

Yes, Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program holds accreditations from: The Master of Architecture (MArch) is an accredited professional degree. The Harvard Graduate School of Design's architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)..