Department of Landscape Architecture, 144 Rapson Hall, 89 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-6860; fax: 612-625-0710)

The master of landscape architecture (M.L.A.) is a first professional degree required for students who wish to become licensed landscape architects. The program introduces students to the practice and discipline of landscape architecture, providing them with the artistic, technical, cognitive and communication skills, and the scientific and aesthetic knowledge necessary to practice in the profession and in other environmental fields. The M.L.A. program is a three-year degree for students already possessing a baccalaureate degree. The program requires 88 graduate credits. Students with baccalaureate degrees in landscape architecture or architecture may apply to the three-year M.L.A. and be accepted with advanced standing. Coursework for the M.L.A. exposes students to the broad field of landscape architecture as both a discipline and a profession. Classes are collaborative in nature and challenge students to delve into landscape issues that cut across multiple systems and scales. At the core of the M.L.A. curriculum are six design studios, one in each of the six semesters of the degree program.

Other requirements to be completed before admission:

M.L.A. program applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree. M.S. program applicants must have completed an accredited baccalaureate or graduate degree in landscape architecture or a baccalaureate degree in a related discipline.

M.L.A. program applicants must apply by January 15 for entry the following fall in order to receive first consideration for admission, fellowships, and assistantships. In addition to completing the Graduate School application requirements, applicants must submit all of the following: three recommendations, responses in English to the two questions pertaining to landscape architecture, all essays required by the Graduate School, and a resume. All of these additional items should be submitted by uploading them to the Graduate School's electronic application system. International students must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or the MELAB. The department may give advanced standing for specific required professional degree courses when an applicant has taken a course elsewhere and provides evidence that enables it to be judged equivalent to those offered by the department. An 8.5" x 11" portfolio containing examples of creative work is preferred for all M.L.A. applications, and is required to obtain advanced standing in design. Portfolios should be sent directly to the department. Applicants with degrees in related design professions such as architecture, environmental design, or planning should clearly indicate their interest in being evaluated for admission with advanced standing with a direct letter to the director of graduate studies. GRE scores are not required for entry to the M.L.A., however, they can be helpful to applicants seeking fellowships and assistantships. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher is preferred. Because of resource limitations, students are admitted for entry into the M.L.A. program only for the fall semester. More detailed information about the above departmental application requirements and procedures, including a downloadable checklist in PDF format, may be found at the department website, http://landarch.cdes.umn.edu/prog/admissions.php.

The M.L.A. program, which is accredited by the national Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB), is designed for students who wish to become registered professional landscape architects. Areas of required coursework within the program include design, technology and ecology, graphic and written communication, landscape history, and research methods. To develop a special focus or to explore areas in more depth, students are encouraged to select from among the graduate seminars offered to fulfill elective requirements. To meet LAAB standards, 88 graduate credits are required for students without previous design experience. Because coursework is organized in a sequential framework of six design studios, commitment to the program for three successive years is essential. Students who hold an accredited professional bachelor's degree in landscape architecture may complete the M.L.A. with 30 credits, including 12 credits of landscape architecture studio courses, 3 credits of landscape architecture research issues and methods, and 15 elective credits, 6 of which must be outside of the department. Up to 9 credits earned as part of the M.L.A. may be applied to the M.S.