Master of Arts in Sustainable Design | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Master of Arts in Sustainable Design

Change Your
Perspective.
Change Our World.

Design for sustainability is a powerful methodology used to spur innovation for a better future. Developed for working creative professionals who are passionate about the intersection of design and sustainability, this groundbreaking masters program will help you lead creativity-driven projects and develop sustainable strategies and solutions across various disciplines and industries. It’s fully online and flexible–asynchronous coursework makes personal time management easier, while occasional synchronous meetings allow for community building with fellow students, faculty, and visiting experts. Small classes offer more focused attention from experienced faculty and collaboration within your cohort. Course activities may include lectures, readings, discussions, research, design projects, exercises, and critiques.

Aerial image of MCAD's rooftop bog

Hear about the student experience

As a master's student in Sustainable Design, you will:

  • Explore current sustainability and design-for-sustainability theories, concepts, and frameworks.
  • Apply innovative design-for-sustainability strategies, tools, and techniques through project-based assignments.
  • Experience both individual and collaborative design projects.
  • Develop skills in systems thinking, critical thinking, research, writing, problem solving, and visual communication.
  • Gain useful knowledge that keeps you and your organization at the forefront of this important field.
  • Complete a thesis project and presentation.
  • Build a web-based portfolio of your coursework.
  • Engage with an international network of sustainability professionals and supportive MCAD alumni.
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Class Highlights

This 30-credit Masters of Arts program emphasizes project work, engaged discussions, and collaboration with fellow students.

Required classes include:

  • Fundamentals of Sustainable Design
  • Systems Thinking
  • Graduate Sustainability Thesis Project
Degree Information

After MCAD

There are many paths to explore with a Master's in Sustainable Design. Current areas of interest include:

  • Product Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Fashion Design
  • Packaging Design
  • Marketer
  • Built-environment Professionals
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Supply Chain Strategies
  • Systems Design
  • Circular Economy
  • Biomimicry
  • Community Planning
Potential Careers

Posts

Kristen
Lessons from Leaders - Kristen Nottingham
Published on
June 18, 2025
Ingrid - speaker series
Lessons from Leaders - Ingrid Calvo Ivanovic
Published on
May 29, 2025
Graduation 2025
Congrats Spring 2025 Graduates!
Published on
May 16, 2025

See what sustainable design students are making

“I was really passionate about shifting my career, [this program gave me] the credibility needed within the sustainability space.”

Danielle DeKalb ’24 MA, Senior Sustainability Manager at Target

More Alumni

Address

2501 Stevens Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Contact Us

612.874.3700
800.874.MCAD (6223)
Fax: 612.874.3701

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Land Acknowledgement

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) acknowledges it is located on traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. This is the ancestral homeland of the Dakota and Ojibwe people, who were forcibly exiled from the land because of aggressive and persistent settler colonialism. We recognize that this place has a complex and layered history. As a community dedicated to creativity, MCAD is committed to ongoing efforts to support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.


Nondiscrimination Policy

MCAD admits students of any race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, or marital status in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.