DEPARTMENT OF

Design and Environmental Analysis

 
 

Outstanding Cornell University students who complete their four-year undergraduate degree in DEA are eligible to complete a Master of Arts/M.A (Design) or a Master of Science/M.S. (Human Environment Relations) degree in one additional year of graduate study.

Through careful planning, many of the courses required in the M.A. or M.S. programs can be taken during the undergraduate years, creating an opportunity to focus the fifth year of study on completing course and thesis requirements. As early as the sophomore year, students can plan their curriculum toward completing a fifth-year Masters. Typically, this means students will take 4-5 courses in their Fall term as a graduate student, and 2-3 courses plus their thesis research in the Spring term. Students should expect to complete their thesis by the end of the summer term of their fifth year.

Admission to the 4+1 Masters program is not automatic. Meet with the professor whose research focus you intend to pursue. Do this early in your undergraduate program to begin planning. By the end of the junior year, you should ask your professor to commit to become your thesis chair if you are admitted.  Although admission is not guaranteed, if you have a strong record as an undergraduate student in the Department, you are likely to be a strong candidate for admission to the graduate program in Design and Environmental Analysis.  Students interested in this program should meet with their DEA advisor as early as possible to discuss and plan for application to this program no later than the beginning of their senior year.

M.A. Degree in Design - students must commit to a faculty research focus:

  • Design History, Theory and Criticism
  • Special Populations
  • Sustainable and Regenerative Design
  • Design Leadership

M.S. Degree in Human Environment Relations - students must commit to a concentration:

  • Applied Research in Human Environment Relations
  • Facility Planning and Management
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

Application to the 4+1 Masters Program.  In the Fall of your senior year, submit your application to the Graduate School following the online application guidelines and submission deadlines.  GRE, TOEFL, and ID portfolios are not required but you will need to submit:

  • Application Form (submitted online)
  • A Statement of Purpose essay of 2-3 pages.  This must include the details of both your thesis topic and plan of study (submitted online)
  • Three letters of recommendation with forms (paper or online).  Letters arriving without forms will not be evaluated.  Letters may be submitted online or directly to the DEA Graduate Field Assistant.
  • Cornell Transcript (submitted directly to the DEA Graduate Field Assistant)

In addition to the Graduate school applicaton requirements, 4+1 applicants are expected to submit the following 4+1 Study Proposal which must be signed by your proposed Thesis Chair.

Required  4+1 Study Proposal for DEA
The 4+1 Study Proposal is required to complete your application for admission and should be signed by your Thesis Chair and submitted directly to the Graduate Field Assistant in the DEA Administrative Office in E104 MVR. To be considered for financial aid, including Teaching Assistantships, you must submit your completed application for admission by January 15.

This is an MS Word document that you may download, add your information and submit in this format.

 

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Name:

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DEA Concentration and GPA:
Example: Interior Design, 3.9 GPA

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Thesis Topic:
Instruction: The thesis topic will be approved in advance by the major professor with whom you intend to work. The topic should be specific, that is, more than a field name, such as interior design.
Example: typological contemporary restaurant design practices

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Statement of Purpose:
Instruction: You may use the Statement of Purpose which is part of the Graduate School online application but it must include the details of both your topic and specific plan of study.
Example: “The methodological and theoretical approaches developed for the Interior Archetypes Research and Teaching Project will lead to the creation of a series of typological contemporary restaurant design practices that are derived from reiterative historical designs. The Archetypes I research and develop will represent historically and culturally determined practices of design."

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Committee—Major Professor and Thesis Chair:
Instruction: The Major Professor and Thesis Chair is often the same person. You will have established a relationship with this professor for the past year or two. Before you apply for the 4+1 program, you should have a commitment from this person that s/he will work with you if you are admitted. S/he is required to sign this application.

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Committee—Minor Field and Minor Committee Member:
Instruction: Name the academic area of the minor field of study. The specific name of a minor member can be speculative. It is inappropriate at this time for you to ask a professor to serve as a minor member until you are 1) accepted into the master’s program, and 2) discussed the naming of a minor member with your major professor and thesis chair. Example of Minor Field: School of Hotel Administration—Hospitality Facilities and Operations

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Teaching Assistantship Interest:
Instruction: If you are interested in a Teaching Assistantship, include a sentence or two about your interest and skills.

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Sequence of Proposed Courses:
Instruction: Give a chronological listing, semester by semester, of your curriculum. Include course descriptions and instructors’ names if available. This can be on a separate piece of paper.

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Signature of Major Professor and Date

 
Frequently Asked Questions
  • How do I begin the process of application?

  1. You need to first speak with your undergraduate advisor to talk about your promise for graduate studies
  2. You then need to speak with the professor with whom you see yourself studying and talk about your interests. You will not be considered for admission unless you have a commitment from a professor in DEA who is willing to work with you as your thesis chair.
  3. Your tentative thesis chair will require you to take a number of courses during undergraduate studies to prepare for your thesis work.
  4. Lastly, speak with the Director of Graduate Studies for any unanswered questions you might have about graduate studies.

  • If the professor voices interest in working with me, am I automatically accepted?

No. A commitment from a professor to work with you is by no means a guarantee of acceptance. The entire DEA Graduate Faculty will review your application and decide if you are a good fit for the 4+1 program. 

  • Can I take time off to go work and then apply to the 4+1 program?

You may defer your application to the program for one year with approval of your tentative thesis chair, but it is expected that you will be working in the field or in some professional capacity that directly informs your future thesis work. 

  • How do I know what courses to take prior to being accepted?

You should review the M.A. and M.S. requirements for graduation to see what courses you must complete. Then, speak with your potential thesis chair who will advise you on which ones you should elect during your junior and senior years. 

  • How do I know what courses to take after being accepted?

You should review the M.A. and M.S. requirements for graduation to see what courses you must complete. Then, speak with your thesis chair, who will help you plan your course of study and research focus. 

  • If I am accepted, am I considered a first-year graduate student?

No. All 4+1s are considered second-year students because of their advance preparation and coursework. You will be expected to work at an accelerated pace in order to complete your degree by August of the following year.

  • How do I request a Teaching Assistantship?

Teaching Assistantships are not guaranteed.  They are made for one semester at a time and are not based on student financial need.  Awards are based on the best match between the needs of the Department and faculty with the skills of the student.  If you have applied by the February 1 deadline for financial aid, have been accepted to the program, and have accepted the offer of admission online, you will automatically receive information about the TA request process.  When you receive this information, you should plan to meet with faculty to discuss their needs and your skills.  Faculty and students will both have an opportunity in late March/early April to submit their preferences for Fall TAships.  Notification of Fall TAships will be made around mid-April.  NOTE:  International students must be cleared by the International Teaching Assistant Development Program (ITADP) prior to assuming any duties that require interaction with students.  This is achieved either by participating in the summer ITADP training or by passing an ITADP Language Assessment (ILA).

  • How long is the 4+1 program?

Two semesters plus one summer. You should be prepared to stay the following summer to complete your thesis writing and defense. It is unusual that 4+1 students complete their thesis work by May graduation.