BS Design and Environmental Analysis

Students gain hands‑on design skills through real-world and studio projects using campus labs, design software, and stakeholder collaboration:

• You’ll work in the Ecological Literacy & Design course, partnering with the National Park Service on LEED certification for a building in the Grand Canyon—practical experience that counts toward professional accreditation.

• Senior-year interior design seniors collaborated with architects to reimagine Cornell's Human Ecology Commons—your work could influence actual campus spaces.

Transitioning from immersive projects to what you'll actively use, you’ll regularly access:

• Design + Environmental Analysis studios equipped with CAD tools, physical and digital prototyping resources, and rehearsal spaces.

• Field-based projects analyzing ergonomics, environmental psychology, and sustainable design in real settings.

• Software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp, plus research tools in environmental psychology and workplace strategy.

• Collaborative, multidisciplinary group projects that solve environmental and design challenges.

• Internships with industry and government partners (e.g. architecture firms, public agencies).

• Access to Cornell’s conservation and sustainability-related research labs, along with its vast libraries and archives.

• A supportive network of faculty-led research groups and labs in the College of Human Ecology focused on sustainability and design.

Graduates of the Design and Environmental Analysis (DEA) program at Cornell go on to shape healthier, more sustainable built environments. You’ll find alumni in roles like user experience designer, workplace strategist, healthcare environment consultant, and sustainability analyst.
Here’s how Cornell prepares you for the future:

• Career Development Toolkit: Cornell’s College of Human Ecology offers dedicated career advisors, résumé-building tools, and job shadowing programs tailored to design and environmental students.

• Strong job placement: Within 6 months, 93% of DEA grads are employed or in graduate school, with average starting salaries ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 depending on specialization.

• Top-tier partnerships: Students collaborate with real clients through industry studios, including organizations like Gensler, Herman Miller, and the Mayo Clinic.

• Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), giving your degree long-term professional weight.

• Impressive outcomes: DEA alumni hold positions at Google, Nike, HOK, and healthcare systems designing patient-centered environments.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates are well-prepared for advanced degrees such as an M.Arch (Master of Architecture), Master of Urban Planning, or Human-Centered Design programs at top-tier institutions, including Cornell’s own graduate schools.