About the course

The M.S. in Human Environment Relations at Cornell University is a two-year graduate program. The research tradition within the Human Environment Relations major is based in the social sciences, and particularly on environmental psychology and human factors/ergonomics. Evidence-based design is fundamental to the major. The research conducted in HCD contributes to the knowledge base that guides design solutions. The underlying premise is that systematic, empirical research based in the social sciences--when combined with imagination--can contribute to the planning, design, and management of environments that enhance the individual and organizational effectiveness. The M.S. program brings together faculty and students with expertise in the fields of interior design, industrial design, graphic design, architecture, art, building technology, environmental psychology, human factors/ergonomics, engineering, geography, and facility planning and management to work on problems related to the interior environment. Much of the research occurs in the field. The department also has a computer-aided design and facility management lab, human factors and ergonomics research labs, an art and environmental design gallery, and a wood workshop.

　　The M.S. in Human Environment Relations rests on the following basic premises: Development of the knowledge base guiding the planning, design, and management of physical settings requires systematic, empirical research. Individual and organizational behaviors are affected by the form of the environment. The users of environments are diverse and have different needs. Individual characteristics such as gender, stage in life cycle, family structure, role or task affect our environmental needs. In addition, organizational characteristics such as organizational culture, goals, and structure help to shape building form and use. The planning, design, and management of good environments require consideration of all users, from owners, managers and administrators, to clerks, tenants, patients, and students. Understanding organizational and human needs is no less critical than understanding financial, technological and aesthetic factors influencing the planning, design, and management of our physical surroundings. The processes through which environments are planned, designed, and managed are as important as the physical designs themselves. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 4 Semester(s)Fees: US$41,600

Intake	Location
Fall (August), 2024	Ithaca
Fall (August), 2025	Ithaca

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Cornell University

The M.S. program is intended for students with a wide variety of undergraduate degrees who want to study the relationship between people and their physical surroundings, some aspect of facility planning and management, human factors, or housing and design.

　　Statement of Purpose (we recommend ~2 pages)

　　Three letters of recommendation

　　Official transcripts

　　GRE general test (The desired combined score should be greater than or equal to 310—for the new scoring system effective November 2011—or, a combined score of 1200 for the old scoring system.)

　　TOEFL - test for International students (DEA overall minimum: 105, plus Graduate School minimums must be met for each section: writing: 20, listening: 15, reading: 20, speaking: 22)

　　OR IELTS - The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS

　　

English language requirements

　　7.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 105.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Cornell University. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　20th / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

What our students think

We’ve haven’t received any reviews for this institution yet.