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: https://design.umn.edu/academics/programs/landscape-architecture/master-landscape-architecture
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 program at the University of Minnesota prepares students to approach complex issues facing urban, suburban, and rural environments and envision improvements at multiple scales across human and ecological systems. The program’s urban location and close proximity to the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes allows students to explore the impacts of climate change, urbanization, social, and environmental injustice across a wide range of complex and challenging landscapes. These challenges include water scarcity and water quality and its impact on urban and agricultural regions, warming temperatures, reduced biodiversity, riverine flooding, as well as deeply institutionalized practices of discrimination and rapid urban development that continue to marginalize and burden communities of color. Students address these challenges directly by planning and designing interventions at systems and site scales to create more resilient landscape networks.
Our program curriculum is structured around design studios, supported by courses in construction technologies and materials, plant materials and ecology, media and representation (including geographic information systems), and research methods. The studio sequence begins with small local sites where intensive field investigations are critical to the design process. Second- and third-year option studios travel outside the state to investigate climate change causes and impacts such as water scarcity and sea-level rise, and other critical issues including remediation of polluted sites and restoration of ecological function. The program culminates in the capstone studio where students develop and research independent projects on the topic of their choosing.
The master of landscape architecture (MLA) is a three-year, 89-credit, 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). Applicants with accredited professional baccalaureate degrees in landscape architecture or architecture may be considered for advanced-standing.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)
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).
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
51 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.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Core Coursework
All MLA I and MLA II students must take the following courses for a total of 36 credits. LA 8206 must be taken twice.
LA 5131 - Geospatial Data Analysis and Design
(3.0 cr)
LA 5202 - Landscape Analysis Workshop
(1.0 cr)
LA 8206 - Making Urban Landscape Space
(6.0 cr)
LA 8301 - Landscape Architecture: Research Issues and Methods
(3.0 cr)
LA 8302 - Professional Practice
(3.0 cr)
LA 8554 - Project Programming
(2.0 cr)
LA 8555 - Advanced Landscape Planning and Design
(6.0 cr)
LA 8773 - Landscape Infrastructure and Systems III
(3.0 cr)
LA 8774 - Landscape Infrastructure and Systems IV
(3.0 cr)
Outside Electives
All MLA I and MLA II students must take at least 6 of their elective credits outside of landscape architecture. Students may choose any 5000-level or above course. Preferred electives include ARCH 5711, ARCH 5721, ARCH 5756, DES 5165, ESPM 5071, PA 5004, PA 5013, PA 5211, PA 5231.
MLA I and MLA II Program Options
The MLA I is a 3-year program. The MLA II is a 2-year program for students with an accredited undergraduate degree or who receive advanced standing.
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 5203 - Ecological Dimensions of Space Making
(6.0 cr)
LA 5204 - Metropolitan Landscape Ecology
(3.0 cr)
LA 5376 - Representation I
(4.0 cr)
LA 5377 - Representation II
(4.0 cr)
LA 5413 - Introduction to Landscape Architectural History
(3.0 cr)
LA 5771 - Landscape Infrastructure and Systems I
(3.0 cr)
LA 5772 - Landscape Infrastructure Systems II
(3.0 cr)
Additional Required Coursework
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 6 credits of LA 8207, 3 credits of LA 5381, 3 credits of LA 5414, and 3 credits of LA 5761 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.
Cities on Water--Study Abroad Option
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 6 credits of LA 8207, 3 credits of LA 5381, 3 credits of LA 5414, and 3 credits of LA 5761 for a total of 15 credits.
LA 5381 - The City in Visual Culture
(3.0 cr)
LA 5414 - Study Abroad: History and Culture
(0.0-3.0 cr)
LA 5761 - Infrastructure + Culture
(3.0 cr)
LA 8207 - Cities on Water International Workshop
(6.0 cr)
or
Students Not Studying Abroad
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 8205 - Urban Form Options: Landscape Architecture Studio
(6.0 cr)
Electives for Students Not Studying Abroad
MLA I students not choosing to study abroad take at least 9 elective credits that term along with 6 credits of LA 8205. Students may choose any 5000-level or above course. Preferred electives include ARCH 5711, ARCH 5721, ARCH 5756, DES 5165, ESPM 5071, PA 5004, PA 5013, PA 5211, PA 5231
-OR-
MLA II Requirements
Cities on Water--Study Abroad Option
MLA II students may participate in the Cities on the Water study abroad option, with adviser and director of graduate studies approval. Students choosing the study abroad option take 6 credits of LA 8207, 3 credits of LA 5381, 3 credits of LA 5414, and 3 credits of LA 5761 for a total of 15 credits.
LA 8207 - Cities on Water International Workshop
(6.0 cr)
LA 5381 - The City in Visual Culture
(3.0 cr)
LA 5414 - Study Abroad: History and Culture
(0.0-3.0 cr)
LA 5761 - Infrastructure + Culture
(3.0 cr)
or
Students Not Studying Abroad
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 8205 - Urban Form Options: Landscape Architecture Studio
(6.0 cr)
LA 5377 - Representation II
(4.0 cr)
Electives for Students Not Studying Abroad
MLA II students not choosing to study abroad take 6 credits of electives. Students may choose any 5000-level or above course. Preferred electives include ARCH 5711, ARCH 5721, ARCH 5756, DES 5165, ESPM 5071, PA 5004, PA 5013, PA 5211, PA 5231.
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: | 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: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 4.0] |
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 6.0] |
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: | 6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
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 1301/Arch 5371/LA 5301/LA |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
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 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: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 0.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
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: | 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: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 0.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every 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 |