| Course Level: | Master's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration: | 2 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | 4 Year Bachelor’s Degree | |
| Course Level: | Master's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration: | 2 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | 4 Year Bachelor’s Degree | |
Full name: The Conway School: Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning + Design
Degree offered: Master of Science in Ecological Design
Program duration: 10 months (intensive, full-time)
Class size: Small cohorts (typically 18–20 students), allowing for personalized attention and strong collaboration
Conway is known for its hands-on, real-world project-based curriculum. Students work on actual community-based projects involving:
Landscape design
Ecological restoration
Urban planning
Sustainable site design
Watershed management
Community resilience
All projects prioritize ecological health, social justice, and sustainable outcomes.
Studio-based learning: Students work in a shared studio, similar to an architecture program.
Emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking: Integrating design, ecology, and social systems.
No grades: Instead, detailed feedback is given. The focus is on learning, not competition.
Real clients: Students work with municipalities, nonprofits, and communities, giving them real-world experience before graduation.
Conway attracts students from diverse backgrounds:
Environmental science
Architecture
Urban planning
Horticulture
Fine arts
Social sciences
It’s ideal for people who want to make a tangible, ecological impact through design.
Conway graduates often go on to work as:
Landscape designers/planners
Ecological consultants
Urban planners
Environmental educators
Policy advocates
They typically work for small design firms, NGOs, government agencies, or start their own practices.
Founded in 1972, Conway was one of the first schools in the U.S. to offer a program centered around ecological design.
Its small size and mission-driven focus set it apart from larger landscape architecture programs.
The school places a strong emphasis on environmental justice, climate resilience, and community engagement.
10 months (September – June)
Full-time, immersive, project-based
The program combines studio-based design work with seminars, workshops, and lectures. The key components include:
At the heart of the program — students work on real planning and design projects for actual clients, such as towns, nonprofits, or community groups. These projects are interdisciplinary and may include:
Land-use planning
Watershed and ecological restoration
Urban green infrastructure
Trail and park design
Climate adaptation and resilience planning
These are covered through seminars, fieldwork, and class discussions:
Ecological Design & Landscape Planning
Site Analysis & Land Use
Environmental Science & Systems Thinking
Mapping & Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Sustainable Infrastructure & Green Technologies
Plant Communities & Landscape Ecology
Design Communication & Graphic Representation
Public Engagement & Facilitation Skills
Professional Practice & Ethics
Hands-on learning in:
AutoCAD / Vectorworks
Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
QGIS / ArcGIS
Hand drawing & rendering
Report writing and visual storytelling
Students regularly present their work to clients and communities. This teaches:
Public speaking
Listening and facilitation
Collaborative decision-making
Cultural competency in design
In the final term, each student completes an individual planning/design project. They work one-on-one with a client and faculty advisor to produce a comprehensive, site-specific design or plan. This final project showcases the student’s full range of skills.
Students frequently visit project sites, ecological restoration areas, and sustainable developments. Learning often happens outdoors and on-site, connecting theory to practice.
Here is the available program in table format:
Program Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Master of Science in Ecological Design |
10 months (1 year) |
$36,400 (for the 2024–2025 academic year) |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Master of Science in Ecological Design |
10 months (1 year) |
$36,400 (2024–2025 academic year) |
Conway is a very small, graduate-only school, with a class size of around 18–20 students per year. This means international students get a personalized, close-knit learning environment. While most students are from the U.S., Conway has welcomed international students in the past and values diverse cultural and ecological perspectives.
Program Offered: Master of Science in Ecological Design (10-month, full-time)
Language: All instruction is in English, so proficiency is required.
Accreditation: The school is accredited and authorized to issue student visas (F-1).
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent (in any field, but related experience in design, planning, ecology, or sustainability is helpful)
English language proficiency: If English is not your native language, you’ll need to provide TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Portfolio: Strongly recommended, especially if you have a background in design, planning, or related work.
Letters of recommendation, resume/CV, and a personal statement
Tuition: ~$36,400 USD for the full 10-month program (2024–2025)
Living costs: Students are responsible for their own housing, meals, and health insurance.
Limited financial aid is available, but Conway does not offer full scholarships for international students.
Conway is authorized to issue the Form I-20, which you’ll need to apply for an F-1 student visa.
Staff work closely with international students to help with visa paperwork and transition support.
Real-world, hands-on projects with community impact
Strong focus on ecological sustainability, climate resilience, and social equity
Small class size = personalized mentoring and tight-knit community
Opportunity to work on real projects across diverse landscapes in the northeastern U.S.
Priority Deadline: Typically in early February
Final Deadline: Around April, but applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the cohort is full (usually by June)
Early applications are encouraged due to limited class size (18–20 students).
Here’s what you’ll need to submit:
Available on Conway’s official website.
Include relevant academic background, work experience, and any design, environmental, or planning-related experience.
Explain:
Why you’re interested in ecological design
Why you want to study at Conway
Your goals and background
What you hope to bring to the program
Usually 2–3 letters from academic or professional references
Show examples of design work, creative projects, mapping, writing, or relevant professional work
Can include academic or professional projects, drawings, photography, or planning documents
From all post-secondary institutions attended
International students may need certified English translations
TOEFL or IELTS required if English is not your first language
Selected applicants will be invited for a video interview (via Zoom or similar)
It’s a chance for both the applicant and the school to see if it’s a good fit
Decisions are usually made within a few weeks of the interview
Admitted students will receive details about enrollment, housing resources, and visa support (for international students)
Conway offers limited financial aid and scholarships based on need and merit
U.S. students can apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA)
International students can apply for Conway’s internal scholarships, but funds are limited
Intake Frequency: Once per year
Start Date: September
Application Opens: Fall (usually November or December)
Priority Deadline: Early February
Final Deadline: April or until seats are filled
Since Conway only admits around 18–20 students per year, early application is strongly encouraged.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (in any discipline)
Fields like environmental studies, architecture, urban planning, art, engineering, biology, or social sciences are common—but all backgrounds are welcome
If English is not your native language, you must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores
TOEFL: Minimum 90 (iBT)
IELTS: Minimum 6.5 overall
Not mandatory, but highly recommended, especially for applicants with design, planning, or artistic experience
While not required, relevant experience in design, ecology, sustainability, planning, or community work can strengthen your application
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Award Amount |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Conway Institutional Scholarships |
All applicants (domestic & international) |
(need- & merit-based) |
Awarded based on financial need, academic background, and mission fit |
|
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Scholarship |
Students from underrepresented backgrounds |
N/A |
Supports students committed to environmental justice and equity issues |
|
Alumni-Sponsored Scholarships |
All admitted students |
N/A |
Funded by Conway alumni contributions |
|
Work-Study Opportunities |
U.S. students with financial need |
(part-time earnings) |
Limited positions; helps offset living expenses |
Facility |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Campus Location |
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA (modern facility surrounded by nature) |
|
Campus Type |
Single-building campus with design studio, classrooms, library, and meeting spaces |
|
On-Campus Housing |
Not available – Conway does not provide on-campus accommodation |
|
Off-Campus Housing |
Students arrange their own housing in/around Northampton |
|
Estimated Rent (Shared) |
$600–$900 per month (shared apartments or rooms) |
|
Estimated Rent (Private) |
$1,000–$1,500+ per month (studio or one-bedroom apartment) |
|
Utilities & Internet |
~$100–$200/month (depending on usage and housing type) |
|
Support Provided |
Conway provides a housing guide, local contacts, and roommate matching support |
Most students live in shared houses or apartments within biking/driving distance of the campus.
Northampton is a small, progressive town with good amenities and access to nature.
Students are responsible for signing their own leases and paying monthly rent and utilities.
At Conway, student life revolves around the design studio — a shared, open workspace where all students collaborate, brainstorm, and create together. Since the cohort is small (18–20 students), you get to know your peers and instructors very well. This builds a strong sense of community, support, and shared purpose.
Conway’s program is intensive and full-time, so students spend much of their week working on real-world ecological design and planning projects. You’ll be collaborating with actual clients — towns, non-profits, or community organizations — which makes the work meaningful and urgent. These projects often take you out into the field for site visits, data collection, and community engagement.
Students typically live off-campus in the beautiful and progressive town of Northampton, Massachusetts. It’s known for its arts scene, good food, hiking trails, and bike-friendly layout. Living here is ideal for students interested in sustainability and outdoor living, and Conway supports incoming students in finding housing and roommates.
The school attracts students who are passionate about:
Environmental justice
Climate change adaptation
Sustainable land use
Community empowerment
This creates a culture where people are purpose-driven, open-minded, and eager to collaborate and learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds.
Because of its size, students have direct access to faculty and staff, and they receive regular one-on-one feedback. There are also visiting professionals, guest lectures, and alumni connections to broaden your exposure to the field.
While the program is rigorous, students still find time to:
Organize potlucks, hikes, and social events
Explore the outdoors (the region is full of forests, rivers, and trails)
Connect with local communities
Share meals, music, and ideas
Student life at Conway is all about purposeful work, close community, and connection to the land. It’s intense, inspiring, and deeply rewarding — best suited for students who want to make a real impact through design and ecology.
Ecological design
Sustainable planning
Landscape architecture
Environmental consulting
Urban and regional planning
Community resilience and conservation work
Many Conway graduates go on to work in:
Design and planning firms
Municipal planning departments
Nonprofits and NGOs focused on conservation or sustainability
Watershed and ecological restoration organizations
Freelance or independent consulting
Some also launch their own design practices or firms
While there is no formal “placement cell,” Conway offers robust career support:
One-on-one mentorship from faculty and professionals
Portfolio development support throughout the program
Workshops on networking, contracts, and launching your own practice
Access to a strong and active alumni network
Referrals and connections to job opportunities in the ecological design world
Conway reports that a high percentage of graduates (over 90%) find relevant employment or start their own practice within 6–12 months of graduating.
Many alumni also stay engaged with the school, mentoring current students or offering internships and job opportunities.
Here are some examples of roles and organizations where Conway alumni have worked:
Ecological design firms (local and national)
Environmental nonprofits (e.g., The Nature Conservancy, local land trusts)
City and regional planning departments
Resilience and climate adaptation planning projects
Landscape design/build companies
Independent consulting or entrepreneurship
The Conway School of Landscape Design does not publicly publish an exact acceptance rate, but based on its small cohort size and personalized admissions process, it is considered to be selective yet accessible to motivated applicants.
Cohort Size: ~18–20 students per year
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 40%–60% (unofficial, based on available data and past admissions trends)
Conway looks beyond grades and test scores. Instead, they value:
Passion for ecological and sustainable design
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Background or interest in fields like planning, design, ecology, or community work
Alignment with Conway’s mission of using design for environmental and social change
A portfolio is recommended (though not required), and a compelling personal statement and relevant experience can make a big difference.
The Conway School of Landscape Design is located in:
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
City: Northampton
State: Massachusetts
Region: Western Massachusetts, in the Connecticut River Valley
Environment: A small, vibrant city surrounded by forests, rivers, farmland, and mountains — ideal for ecological design and fieldwork
Campus Setting: The school is housed in a renovated industrial building with modern studio space and direct access to nature
Approximately 2 hours west of Boston
Around 3 hours from New York City
Easily reachable by Amtrak, bus, or car
Nearby cities: Amherst, Springfield, and Greenfield
