Skip to main content
    Back to Programs
    Carnegie Mellon University

    Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD)

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Pittsburgh, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $86,000.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    159
    Credits
    $75.00
    App fee

    Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University is a 159-credit, 2-year, in-person MS program based in Pittsburgh, US. Tuition is $86,000 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    Post-professional design-research program focusing on sustainable strategies for the built environment across scales, integrating computational design, environmental science, material research, and advanced manufacturing to address climate change and ecological impacts.

    Focus: research

    Your fit

    Match

    Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

    Admissions

    Pro

    Unlock full admissions requirements

    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

    Sign in to view - it's free

    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Jan 10, 2027

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min test-optional for 2025-2026
    TOEFL
    required
    Min 100 (minimum subscore of 22 in each category)
    IELTS
    required
    Min 7.0 (minimum of 6.5 in each category)

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $21,712.00
    Annual living cost

    Application Checklist

    Sign in to track what you need to submit for this program.

    Sign in
    See admits on GradCafe
    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University is $86,000 across 159 required credits.
    Is Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University online or in-person?
    Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University is offered in-person.
    How long does Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University take to complete?
    Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University is structured around 2 years and 159 credits.
    Is Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.
    What work-permit options follow Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University?
    Post-completion work rights for Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) at Carnegie Mellon University: 12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)