Graduate Certificate in Design of Living Buildings

The Living Building Challenge is a green building certification program and sustainable design framework that visualizes the ideal for the built environment. This graduate certificate focuses on the design and certification of living buildings with a focus on the regenerative design of spaces and places that feature a strong connection to “light, air, food, nature, and community.”. As a student in this program, you will begin with an overall understanding of the sustainable design movement while also studying the “basics” of the Living Building Challenge. You will move on to study the various technical aspects of meeting the Challenge, with an emphasis on simulation, calculation, and validation. This Graduate Certificate is capped by a Living Building Design Studio that features interaction with professionals with direct experience in designing and certifying Living Building Challenge projects and ends with the design of a living building.

Degree Prerequisite: Applicants are required to hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent upon evaluation of international transcripts prior to the start of the program.

GPA Requirement: A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required.

TOEFL IBT & IBT Home Edition: 80 (no sub-score below 20)

TOEFL Essentials: 8.5 (no sub-score below 8)

IELTS: 6.5 (no sub-score below 6)

Duolingo Exam: 115

Pearson PTE Academic Exam: 53