Master of Landscape Architecture

The Master of Landscape Architecture is an accredited professional degree for students with or without an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture. The MLA degree provides skills for students seeking to enter landscape architecture with the intent of practicing as a licensed professional in the public or the private sectors, as well as the basic knowledge required for professional competency as measured by the licensing exam. The MLA degree also offers inquiry competencies for continuous post-professional study and research. The program offers three concentration tracks in a topical area—Theory, Technology/Ecology, and Advocacy—through coursework and/or an optional thesis and creative component. Students’ concentrations in one of the three tracks will be determined by the student in conjunction with his/her major professor. It will also be designated in the Program of Study to be completed by the end of his/her first year. Concentration electives may be selected from within the department and college and from an approved list. In the final year students will be able to take Creative Component or Thesis option with the approval of their major professor and the department Graduate Committee. Students are able to take advantage of increasing offerings of interdisciplinary graduate-level electives in all college departments, as well as pursue double degrees with Master of Community and Regional Planning (MLA/MCRP), Master of Urban Design (MLA/MUD) and Master in Design of Sustainable Environments (MLA/MDesSE). Students interested in the double-degree programs should contact the department to receive a detailed description of requirements. The department also teaches in the Graduate Certificate Program in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) administered by the Department of Community and Regional Planning.