Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Landscape Architecture M.L.A.Landscape Architecture, Scl of
College of Design
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Landscape Architecture, 144 Rapson Hall, 89 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-6860)
Email:
ladesk@umn.edu
Website: http://landarch.design.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The master of landscape architecture (MLA) is a first-professional degree required for students who wish to become licensed professional landscape architects. The program is accredited by the national Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). The curriculum introduces students to the practice and discipline of landscape architecture, providing them with the artistic, technical, cognitive, and communication skills, in addition to the scientific and aesthetic knowledge, necessary to practice in the profession and in related environmental fields. Students are encouraged to select from electives offered to develop a special focus or to explore more areas in depth.
The MLA program (MLA I) is a three-year, 89-credit degree. Coursework 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. Because the core of the curriculum is six design studios, organized in a sequential framework, a commitment to three successive years in the program is essential.
Applicants with accredited professional baccalaureate degrees in landscape architecture or architecture may be considered for the advanced-standing MLA degree (MLA II). The MLA II requires at least 58 credits of design studio, research methods, and elective courses.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
MLA program applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree.
Special Application Requirements:
Students are admitted for fall semester only. MLA program applicants must apply by January 15, for entry the following fall, to receive first consideration for admission, fellowships, and assistantships. In addition to the University’s admission requirements, applicants must submit an electronic portfolio in 8.5 x 11 PDF format. GRE scores are not required; however, they can be helpful to applicants seeking national fellowships such as the Fulbright Scholarship. Please refer to the MLA website for detailed information regarding department specific application requirements and procedures, including a downloadable checklist, at http://landarch.design.umn.edu/prog/index.html.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
52 to 83
major credits and
6
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: See department for more details.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
Core Coursework
All MLA students must take the following courses for a total of 36 credits:
LA 5131 - Geospatial Data Analysis and Design
(3.0 cr)
LA 5202 - Landscape Analysis Workshop
(1.0 cr)
LA 8201 {Inactive}
(6.0 cr)
LA 8773 - Landscape Infrastructure and Systems III
(3.0 cr)
LA 8206 - Making Urban Landscape Space
(6.0 cr)
LA 8301 - Landscape Architecture: Research Issues and Methods
(3.0 cr)
LA 8554 - Project Programming
(2.0 cr)
LA 8774 - Landscape Infrastructure and Systems IV
(3.0 cr)
LA 8302 - Professional Practice
(3.0 cr)
LA 8555 - Advanced Landscape Planning and Design
(6.0 cr)
Outside Coursework
All MLA students must take at least 6 credits outside landscape architecture, in consultation with their advisor.
MLA I and MLA II Program Options
MLA I Requirements
Additional Course Requirements
MLA I students must take the following courses for 32 credits:
LA 5201 - Making Landscape Spaces and Types
(6.0 cr)
LA 5376 - Representation I
(4.0 cr)
LA 5413 - Introduction to Landscape Architectural History
(3.0 cr)
LA 5771 - Landscape Infrastructure and Systems I
(3.0 cr)
LA 5203 - Ecological Dimensions of Space Making
(6.0 cr)
LA 5204 - Metropolitan Landscape Ecology
(3.0 cr)
LA 5377 - Representation II
(4.0 cr)
LA 5772 - Landscape Infrastructure Systems II
(3.0 cr)
MLA I students may participate in the Cities on the Water study abroad option, with the approval of their advisor and the director of graduate studies. Students choosing the study abroad option take 8 credits of LA 8207, 3 credits of LA 5405, and 4 additional credits in consultation with their advisor for a total of 15 credits. Students who do not choose the study abroad option take LA 8205 for 6 credits plus 9 credits of electives for a total of 15 credits.
LA 8207 - Cities on Water International Workshop
(6.0 cr)
LA 5405 - Interdisciplinary Studies in Landscape Architecture
(1.0-6.0 cr)
or
LA 8205 - Urban Form Options: Landscape Architecture Studio
(6.0 cr)
Landscape Architecture Electives
MLA I students not choosing to study abroad take at least 9 elective credits. Credits are selected in consultation with the advisor.
LA 5xxx
LA 8xxx
-OR-
MLA II Requirements
MLA II students may participate in the Cities on the Water study abroad option, with the approval of their advisor and the director of graduate studies. Students choosing the study abroad option take 8 credits of LA 8207, 3 credits of LA 5405, and 4 additional credits in consultation with their advisor for a total of 15 credits; those not choosing to study abroad take 6 credits of LA 8205, 4 credits of LA 5377 and 6 credits of electives for a total of 16 credits.
LA 8207 - Cities on Water International Workshop
(6.0 cr)
LA 5405 - Interdisciplinary Studies in Landscape Architecture
(1.0-6.0 cr)
or
LA 8205 - Urban Form Options: Landscape Architecture Studio
(6.0 cr)
LA 5377 - Representation II
(4.0 cr)
Landscape Architecture Electives
MLA II students not choosing to study abroad take at least 6 elective credits. Credits are selected in consultation with the advisor.
LA 5xxx
LA 8xxx
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
MLA/MS-Architecture
Students may take a total of 24 credits in common
among the academic programs.
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 8.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 1301/Arch 5371/LA 5301/LA |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | LA 3413/LA 5413 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 8.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 5372/LA 5372/LA 5375/LA 5 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 16.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | LA 8205/LA 8207 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 16.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | LA 8205/LA 8207 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 8.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Arch 5372/LA 5372/LA 5375/LA 5 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |