Our six-week summer programs give participants the opportunity to test their enthusiasm for the material and culture of environmental design.

The Summer Institute, offered by the College of Environmental Design (CED) at UC Berkeley, consists of four cohorts:

[IN]ARCH

an introductory program in architecture for post-baccalaureate students with no previous experience in environmental design.

[IN]ARCH ADV

an advanced program in architecture for students who are in their final year of an undergraduate architecture program, or have already earned an undergraduate degree in architecture.

[IN]CITY

an introductory program in sustainable city planning for post-baccalaureate students with no previous experience in environmental design.

[IN]LAND

an introductory program in landscape architecture for post-baccalaureate students with no previous experience in environmental design.

Learn more about:  COST  |  DEADLINES  |  HOW TO APPLY  |  INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS  |  FAQs

 

Summer Institute students explore the methods and theories of the fields, experience the culture of design and planning studios, connect to faculty and practitioners, and build a portfolio for graduate school application.

Each program includes a lecture series, a design or planning studio, a seminar or media course, and site visits. After fulfilling the program requirements, participants receive a certificate of completion and an official UC Berkeley transcript. All classes are held in Wurster Hall, CED's home on the UC Berkeley campus.

Recent Summer [IN]STITUTE alumni have been accepted to graduate programs at Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Rice, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, UCLA, MIT, University of Washington, University of Illinois, Princeton, Cornell, and Yale, among others.

The Summer Institute was a life-changing experience. I would have never learned as much as I did without this course, met the people I met, and overall feel as inspired as I do. Not only do I have so many amazing things to add to my portfolio and my resume, but I've made friends and a great network.

"This program helped to reassure me that I can take my passion for social and environmental issues and have a successful and satisfying career in planning. It also gave me the confidence and experience needed to apply and get accepted into grad school."