Summer Programs

Do you want to explore what environmental design means to you? Is your goal to acquire skills and experience in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, environmental planning, urban design and sustainable city planning?

The College of Environmental Design offers three rigorous academic summer programs - open to high school students, college students and college grads of all backgrounds and from all over the world. No previous design experience is necessary for most of our programs. Immerse yourself in one of the following intensive, full-time programs, beginning on July 3, 2023:

Summer [In]stitute in Environmental Design - for post-baccalaureate and exceptional upper-level college students (six weeks)

DISC: Design & Innovation for Sustainable Cities - for current undergraduate college students (five weeks)

embARC Summer Design Academy - for rising high school juniors and seniors (four weeks)

Engage in a transformational learning experience through studio model building, digital representation, discussion groups, lectures and field trips in the San Francisco Bay Area. Explore various aspects of environmental design and learn how to conceptualize and communicate two and three-dimensional design ideas. 

Challenge yourself with real design projects and participate in a process to develop solutions to authentic urban planning questions. Join one of the full-time CED Summer Programs, have fun with like-minded peers, and build a portfolio of design work. You also have the option to gain college-level credit for consideration at your home school.

More than 1800 students have attended the CED Summer Programs since 2013 and many of them have progressed into renowned design and architecture degree programs and have started a fulfilling design career. Almost all of them remember an extraordinary and empowering summer.

To receive a reminder, as well as for program updates and additional information, just add yourself to the mailing list of interest: