Landscape Architecture, MLA
for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture
The Department of Landscape Architecture offers the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree, the Master of Sustainable Urban Design degree (MSUD), and the PhD degree. The programs enable students to gain fresh insights and to conduct new research pertaining to land and its use by people. Courses and faculty research activities range from on-site to regional scales, and include environmental planning and design as well as community design, cultural heritage, and history.
In their final year of the program, MLA students may take one of two paths: advanced design studio sequence or thesis.
The MLA is an accredited first professional degree. Students may pursue specialized areas that reflect their interests and career aspirations. This may include ecological design, community design, and cultural heritage history and design. Joint MLA/MUP is available.
Admission
The Graduate College admission requirements apply. Students are admitted on an individual basis according to a review of their prior accomplishments with an emphasis on academic achievement. MLA candidates from undergraduate design programs must submit portfolios with applications to the MLA program. Candidates without undergraduate preparation in landscape architecture will be admitted on limited status and must complete undergraduate prerequisite courses in addition to graduate work. All students must begin their studies in the fall semester.
Financial Aid
Students compete for fellowships, assistantships and tuition/service fee waivers. Some awards are determined during admissions review and students are informed through the acceptance letter. There are also some financial aid opportunities during the course of study (e.g., semester-long TA positions when available).
for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
Post-Professional Master of Landscape Architecture
For students who have completed a BLA in an LAAB Accredited Program. Typically completed in 2 years.
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | ||
| LA 533 | Planning & Design Studio I | 5 |
| LA 534 | Design Workshop G-I | 5 |
| Thesis | ||
| LA 599 | Thesis Research | 10 |
| Additional Seminars and Coursework | ||
| LA 482 | Advanced Design Communications | 4 |
| LA 501 | Landscape Arch Theory & Prac | 4 |
| LA 513 | History of World Landscapes | 4 |
| LA 597 | Research Design & Methods | 3 |
| Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor | ||
| Social/Cultural Aspects of Design | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Method | ||
| Total Minimum Hours | 48 | |
Advanced Studio Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | ||
| LA 533 | Planning & Design Studio I | 5 |
| LA 534 | Design Workshop G-I | 5 |
| LA 537 | Planning & Design Studio II | 5 |
| LA 539 | Design Workshop G-II | 5 |
| Additional Seminars and Coursework | ||
| LA 482 | Advanced Design Communications | 4 |
| LA 501 | Landscape Arch Theory & Prac | 4 |
| LA 513 | History of World Landscapes | 4 |
| LA 597 | Research Design & Methods | 3 |
| Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor | ||
| Social/Cultural Aspects of Design | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Method | ||
| Total Minimum Hours | 48 | |
Pre-Professional Master of Landscape Architecture
For students who have not completed a BLA in an LAAB Accredited program, an undergraduate degree in a design field such as Architecture, and students with no design undergraduate degree. Typically completed in 2.5-3 years.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The following coursework is required of MLA students in the Pre-Professional degree program. These courses do not count toward the graduate degree. | ||
| LA 241 | Landform Design & Construction | 3 |
| LA 250 | Environmental Site Analysis | 3 |
| LA 280 | Design Communications I | 3 |
| LA 281 | Design Communications II | 3 |
| LA 342 | Site Engineering | 4 |
| LA 343 | Landscape Construction | 4 |
| LA 346 | Professional Practice | 2 |
| LA 352 | Woody Landscape Plants | 4 |
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | ||
| LA 433 | Graduate Foundation Studio | 5 |
| LA 434 | Graduate Site Design Studio | 5 |
| LA 533 | Planning & Design Studio I | 5 |
| LA 534 | Design Workshop G-I | 5 |
| Thesis | ||
| LA 599 | Thesis Research | 10 |
| Additional Seminars/Coursework | ||
| LA 452 | Planting Design | 3 |
| LA 482 | Advanced Design Communications | 4 |
| LA 501 | Landscape Arch Theory & Prac | 4 |
| LA 513 | History of World Landscapes | 4 |
| LA 597 | Research Design & Methods | 3 |
| Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor | ||
| Social/Cultural Factors in Design | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Method | ||
| Total Minimum Hours | 48 | |
Advanced Studio Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | ||
| LA 433 | Graduate Foundation Studio | 5 |
| LA 434 | Graduate Site Design Studio | 5 |
| LA 533 | Planning & Design Studio I | 5 |
| LA 534 | Design Workshop G-I | 5 |
| LA 537 | Planning & Design Studio II | 5 |
| LA 539 | Design Workshop G-II | 5 |
| Additional Seminars/Coursework | ||
| LA 452 | Planting Design | 3 |
| LA 482 | Advanced Design Communications | 4 |
| LA 501 | Landscape Arch Theory & Prac | 4 |
| LA 513 | History of World Landscapes | 4 |
| LA 597 | Research Design & Methods | 3 |
| Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor | ||
| Social/Cultural Factors in Design | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Method | ||
| Total Minimum Hours | 48 | |
Other Requirements
| Minimum 400-500 level hours within the Unit | 24 |
| Minimum 500-level hours required overall | 18 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture
Master of Landscape Architecture students will:
- Design Thinking. Use a variety of processes to discover and frame opportunities, generate multiple possibilities, evaluate and refine ideas, rapidly prototype and test your proposal, and share your ideas in a compelling manner.
- Communicate with Skill. Use a variety of digital tools to generate design proposals, test those proposals, and share your ideas with others.
- Tap into Existing Knowledge. Incorporate our best understanding of natural resources, environmental systems, human development, social systems, professional practice and professional ethics into your work.
- Technical Competence. Demonstrate the technical competence to translate design proposals into built work.
- Responsibility and Leadership. Develop and demonstrate a sense of responsibility to the land and the people for whom we design.
for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Department Head: David L. Hays
Landscape Architecture Department website
Landscape Architecture faculty
101 Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Lorado Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-0176
Landscape Architecture email: LADept@illinois.edu