Sample Curricula

The B.S. in Sustainable Community Development is awarded to students who complete the following requirements:

• Major requirements (46 – 53 credits), including eight (8) core courses and six (6) courses in the student’s area of concentration. The core courses include the IE and JYW Gen Eds.
• Gen Ed requirements (typically 29 credits outside the major), including courses in writing, math, analytical reasoning, biological and physical sciences, and the social world.
• A total of 120 credits. The credits outside of the major and Gen Ed requirements may be satisfied by courses taken for a second major, a minor, or electives of the student’s choosing. Of the 120 total undergraduate credits, a minimum of 45 credits must be taken in residence at UMass Amherst.

The official requirements for a University of Massachusetts degree are governed by the University Registrar. For more information, consult the current Academic Regulations at umass.edu/registrar/sites/default/files/academicregs.pdf.

The standard completion time for an undergraduate degree is four years. The SCD major requirements typically take three years to complete, but can be done in less time if the student’s schedule allows. Transfer students beginning in their junior year and SCD students entering from the AS in Landscape Contracting can plan to complete major requirements in two years.

Online Winter and Summer Classes

University Without Walls (UWW, also called University+) offers online classes during winter and summer sessions. The Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning department occasionally offers UWW classes that can satisfy major requirements. However, offerings are not guaranteed, and students should plan to complete classes for the major during fall and spring semesters. UWW classes incur additional fees. For more information, visit umass.edu/uww.

On the following pages are examples of what the 3-year and 4-year curriculum might look like.

Sample Three-Year Path

This course plan shows how major requirements can be distributed over three years. It assumes the student will earn an additional 30 credits of Gen Eds and electives beyond those listed below through a combination of transfer credits, test credits (e.g,, Advanced Placement), summer/winter session classes, or additional courses taken in fall or winter semesters.

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year