As a small academic community, the Conway School of Landscape Design values openness, accountability, and direct communication. The information on this page is provided to assist prospective students, current students, employees, and the public in making informed decisions about the school and its programs.
In accordance with the Higher Education Act and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as well as standards of the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Conway makes the following consumer information publicly available.
Because of the school’s size, responsibility for these topics is shared among several administrators. Each linked page identifies the appropriate contact person for questions or requests for additional information. School administrators are generally available during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with some exceptions).
Academic Program and Student Attainment
Academic Program
As a small, graduate-only institution, the Conway School offers a single graduate program designed for intensive study and close faculty mentorship.
Program Length & Degree Requirements
The program is completed in ten months of full-time study, beginning in early fall and concluding in late spring. Designed as an intensive, cohort-based experience, the curriculum requires full participation and does not offer a part-time option.
Students earn the Master of Science in Ecological Design by successfully completing the school’s integrated curriculum. The program combines studio-based design projects, seminars, fieldwork, and collaborative client work. Rather than traditional standalone courses, students engage in hands-on, real-world projects that build professional skills and a comprehensive design portfolio. The degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of all academic and applied design requirements within the full academic year.
Detailed information on curriculum, required credits, and time to completion is available here.
Graduation and Retention Rates
Conway School does not report a traditional year-to-year retention rate because its master’s program is structured as a single, intensive ten-month cohort experience. Instead, the school focuses on program completion from entry in September to graduation in June. Over the past ten years, Conway has enrolled 158 students, with 155 graduating with a master’s degree, resulting in a 98% program completion rate. Only three students did not complete the program during this period, and one of those completed the full ten months but opted for a non-degree certificate.
Student Outcomes
Job and Placement Rates for Conway Graduates
Conway graduates demonstrate strong employment outcomes. According to the most recent alumni survey (Fall 2024), 83% of respondents are employed full time, and the vast majority work in fields related to ecological design, planning, landscape architecture, conservation, or environmental consulting. Alumni also report high levels of job satisfaction and professional advancement.
Student Activities
The school does not sponsor formal student organizations or clubs. From time to time, students may have opportunities to participate in educational workshops, guest presentations, or other activities that support their professional development.
Transfer Credits
Conway’s program is highly integrated and intensive, and the school does not accept academic credits for previous education and training.
Textbook Information
No textbooks are required for the program offered by the school.
Accessibility and Accommodations
The Conway School is committed to providing equal access to qualified students with disabilities. Students seeking reasonable accommodations should contact the Academic Director by phone at (413) 369-4044 or by email at accessibility@csld.edu to begin the interactive accommodation process.
Student Body Diversity
Admissions & Financial Aid
For questions about admissions or financial aid, contact the Admissions Manager & Financial Aid Administrator at admissions@csld.edu or 413-203-6627, M-F 9am-5pm (with some exceptions).
Admissions
Cost of Attendance
Estimated annual costs—including tuition, required fees, books and supplies, and living expenses—are available here: [Link to Cost of Attendance]
Student financial assistance and eligibility
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Conway Student Handbook, Credits, Requirements, & Academic Policies
Federal Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling
Tuition refund policy
Conway Student Handbook, Tuition Obligations and Refunds
Veterans
As pursuant with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, a covered individual will be permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance. A covered individual is defined as any individual who is entitled to education assistance under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch.31), or Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) benefit. (GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.)
The Conway School’s billing adheres to the requirements of and complies with S2248 PL 115-407 Section 103. The Conway School will allow GI Bill and VR&E beneficiaries (Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 beneficiaries) to attend a course of education for up to 90 days from the date the beneficiary provides a certificate of eligibility, or valid VAF 28-1905. This allows a student to attend the course until VA provides payment to the institution. During this time period, the Conway School will not impose a penalty or late fee, deny access to facilities, or require the beneficiary to borrow additional funds to cover tuition and fees due to late payments from VA. Section 103 requires a State Approving Agency (SAA), or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when acting in the role of the SAA, to disapprove certain courses of education. VA can grant a waiver to these requirements. The VA must make payments to schools no later than 60 days after receiving the tuition and fee certification from the school, and they would have to report semiannually to Congress any cases in which VA fails to make such payments within 60 days of certification.
Compliant with Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (“Choice Act”), Conway School does not charge qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms. All students are charged the same tuition rate.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill: The Conway School welcomes applications from military veterans and military-connected students. We are committed to making our program accessible for veterans and their dependents. Conway works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide one-on-one assistance to student veterans concerning GI Bill benefits, as well as other financial aid benefits and needs. Please email Admissions for more information. We look forward to helping you understand and maximize your veterans benefits.
Yellow Ribbon Program: Beginning on August 1, 2019, the Conway School will additionally participate in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Bill Education Enhancement Program, also known as the Yellow Ribbon Program. This participation permits the school and the VA to provide matching funds to cover all or a portion of the outstanding amount of established charges not covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Conway School will provide a contribution of $1,000 to each Yellow Ribbon participant during each academic year. The Conway School’s billing will adhere to the requirements of and comply with S2248 PL 115-407 Section 103 no later than August 1, 2019.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship for students training in high demand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. The Rogers STEM Scholarship application is now available here. A list of STEM-designated programs can be found here.
Withdrawal and return of Title IV funds (R2T4)
Conway Student Handbook, Tuition Obligations and Refunds
Student Rights & Policies
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
Conway Student Handbook, Disclosure of Personal Information
Non-Discrimination & Title IX
The Conway School is committed to providing an educational environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The School does not discriminate on the basis of sex or any other protected characteristic in its educational programs or activities, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Questions regarding Title IX, reports of sex discrimination or sexual harassment, and requests for supportive measures may be directed to the School’s Title IX Coordinator:
Title IX Coordinator
Name: Kate Cholakis
Email: titleixcoordinator@csld.edu
Phone: 413-203-6774
Learn more about Title IX Resources
Student Complaints
Students are encouraged to address concerns promptly through the school’s internal complaint process. The school has established procedures for resolving student complaints in a fair and timely manner.
If a complaint cannot be resolved through the school’s procedures, students may also have the right to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Education, accrediting agency, or the U.S. Department of Education, as applicable.
Learn more in the Student Handbook, Grievance Procedure
Copyright and Acceptable Use Policy
The school complies with federal copyright laws and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). Students are prohibited from using school technology resources to reproduce, distribute, download, or share copyrighted materials without authorization.
The school maintains a policy addressing copyright infringement, illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, student responsibilities, potential disciplinary action, and applicable civil and criminal penalties.
Conway Student Handbook, Copyright and Acceptable Use Policy
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Programs
Campus Security
Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures
Vaccination Information
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health requires that students enrolled at an institution of higher education obtain particular immunizations. (Please see Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements 2026-2027 for the Mass DPH information Here: 2026-2027 Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements.)
If you have not completed or are not able to complete all of the required shots before school begins, you must schedule the remaining shots with your physician and inform the school of the schedule.
Covid is not currently listed as a required immunization by the state; however, the Conway School strongly recommends that students receive the vaccine and all boosters. The school no longer requires employees or students to wear a mask when in the Coach House or traveling in the school van, but you should wear one if that is your preference. The school does continue to strongly encourage students and full-time employees to conduct rapid self-tests (provided at no cost by the school) when they suspect they may have contracted Covid-19.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day is September 17. Conway School observes this day by providing information about the Constitution, and Constitution Day, to all students.
Institutional Information
Institutional Accreditation
The Conway School of Landscape Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution. Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals also may contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 425 7785
E-Mail: info@neche.org
State Authorization
The Conway School of Landscape Design, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, is an approved independent institution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with authority granted by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) to offer the following degree: Master of Science in Ecological Design.
Faculty
Financial Statements
The Conway School publishes annual financial statements and financial statement summaries to provide transparency regarding the school’s financial condition and stewardship of its resources.
- Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2025 (PDF)
- Conway School of Landscape Design June 2025 Financials (PDF)
- Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2024 (PDF)
- Conway School of Landscape Design June 2024 Financials (PDF)
- Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2023 (PDF)
- Conway School of Landscape Design June 2023 Financials (PDF)
- Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2022 (PDF)
- Conway School of Landscape Design June 2022 Financials (PDF)
- Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2021 (PDF)
- Conway School of Landscape Design June 2021 Financials (PDF)
Printed copies of financial reports may be obtained by sending your request to:
The Conway School
attn: Finance Director
88 Village Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Telephone: 413-369-4044
Email: finance@csld.edu