Sustainability and Development Southern Methodist University

Overview

The Sustainability and Development programme at Southern Methodist University provides students with the advanced technical and analytical skills required to address complex environmental and social challenges. This Master of Arts degree prepares graduates to lead initiatives that balance economic growth with ecological preservation on both local and international scales.

Students benefit from a curriculum that bridges the gap between engineering principles and humanitarian needs. The programme is closely integrated with the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, ensuring that learners have access to high-level academic resources while developing practical solutions for modern infrastructure and urban design.

Why Sustainability and Development at Southern Methodist University?

This programme is uniquely positioned as a key contributor to the Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity. This partnership allows students to engage with multidisciplinary research that focuses on improving the quality of life in developing communities through sustainable innovation.

The curriculum is specifically structured to accommodate the schedules of active professionals by offering all graduate courses through distance learning or evening sessions. This flexibility ensures that students can apply their learning directly to their current professional roles while pursuing their degree at a premier research institution.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 1350 per credit
• National fee: USD 1350 per credit
• Local fee: USD 1350 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires the completion of core requirements, a specialised concentration, and a capstone experience. Modules may include:

Core Courses

• Sustainable Urban Development and Design
• Design for Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure
• Infrastructure Design for the Developing World
• Global Resource Assessment and Management

Sustainable Global Development and Design Concentration

• Policy Impacts on Sustainability
• Geographical Information Systems and Mapping
• Methods and Technology for Sustainability
• Sustainable Urban Plan
• Defining the Future of Global Sustainability
• Human-Centered Design

Sustainable Management Concentration

• Leadership in Development Sector
• Citizen Engineering with Community-Based Design Research
• Risk Assessment and Health Effects
• Optimization and Reliability for Infrastructure and Environmental Systems
• Engineering Economics and Decision Analysis

Elective Options

• Environmental Chemistry
• Disaster Management
• Sustainable Transportation
• Field and Laboratory Methods
• Environmental Epidemiology
• Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering
• Management of Industrial and Mission-Critical Facilities
• Context and Impact of Design

Capstone Experience

• MASD Capstone 1A
• MASD Capstone 1B

Careers with Sustainability and Development

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles within the development sector, focusing on sustainable urban planning and infrastructure management. The programme produces professionals capable of dealing with resource challenges within governmental organisations, non-profits, and private engineering firms.

The focus on human-centered design and policy impacts ensures that alumni are well-equipped for careers in global sustainability consultancy and environmental risk assessment. By connecting with the local community and international partners, graduates often move into roles that influence global resource management and sustainable policy-making.