The advanced-degree program (MLA II) is structured to support students in conceiving and executing a thesis project. This advanced degree demands the acquisition of proficiency in performing research and scholarly pursuit and not a perfection of professional design skills. Other than the required credits for research/ methodology coursework and the final thesis studio, advanced-degree students select electives from History, Ecology and Planting, Urban Landscape Systems Theory, Representation and Site Technology and Professional Practice that pertain to their research area of interest.
MLA II applicants should hold an accredited professional degree in landscape architecture, have significant professional experience, and submit a thesis proposal as part of their personal statement.
Per-semester courseload: 18 credits
Note: The program reserves the right to admit students with a higher credit requirement if more preparation is needed prior to the thesis studio.
Total Program Credits: 36
Single Year
Fall Term 1
LAAR 64150: Design Research
LAAR 00000: History Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school schedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
LAAR 00000: Nat. Syst. Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the schoolschedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
LAAR 00000: Planning Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the schoolschedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
LAAR 00000: Hist./Planning Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the schoolschedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
LAAR 00000: Planning Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the schoolschedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
Spring Term 2
LAAR 72100: Landscape Architecture Thesis Project
The objective of the final project is to build independent conceptual processes and design skills in future academic and professional practitioners. To be considered complete for review, each project must test, through design, the objectives and rationale of a written project statement. It is in this phase of the program that the key objective of the school: to prepare students to design environmentally and socially vibrant landscapes for twenty-first century cities that address issues of increasing globalization, expanding urbanization, environmental and social system sustainability, the promotion of social and environmental justice, the need for transformed land management practices in response to diminishing natural resources, and the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, is tested.
LAAR 00000: Urbanism Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the schoolschedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
LAAR 00000: Professional Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the schoolschedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
LAAR 00000: Professional Elective
Elective offerings change each semester. For a sampling of recent electives, refer to the school schedule. In addition to landscape architecture electives, certain classes within architecture, urban design, and sustainability may fulfill elective requirements.
