Landscape Architecture, MLA & Urban Planning, MUP

for the degrees of Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban Planning


For the joint program, at least 40 hours must be in Urban Planning, including all core courses and capstone requirements. The two programs must total a minimum of the sum of 40 Urban Planning hours plus the required number of hours for the Master of Landscape Architecture, 48. At its discretion, Landscape Architecture may count up to 8 hours of Urban Planning courses as electives in meeting its degree requirements as long as the student is required to take no fewer than 40 additional hours in Landscape Architecture. The MUP capstone requirement may be waived for a thesis completed in Landscape Architecture provided faculty from both programs participate on the thesis committee.

for the degrees of Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban Planning


For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Programs of Study and the Graduate College Handbook

Master of Urban Planning in Urban Planning

UP 501Planning History and Theory4
UP 503Physical Planning4
UP 504Urban History and Theory4
UP 505Urban and Regional Analysis2
UP 510Plan Making4
UP 511Law and Planning4
UP 590Professional Internship (reduces the hours needed to graduate by 4)0
Recommended concentration/electives32
Non-Thesis Option
UP 591Capstone Seminar (enrollment required for 0 hours one term & 4 hours one term)4
UP 598Master's Project (min/max applied toward degree)4
Thesis Option
UP 591Capstone Seminar (enrollment required for two semesters)0
UP 599Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree)8
Total Hours64

Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture: Post-Professional 


For students who have completed a BLA in an LAAB Accredited Program. Typically completed in 2 years. 

Thesis Option

Studio
LA 533Planning & Design Studio I5
LA 534Design Workshop G-I5
Thesis
LA 599Thesis Research10
Additional Seminars and Coursework
LA 482Advanced Design Communications4
LA 501Landscape Arch Theory & Prac4
LA 513History of World Landscapes4
LA 597Research Design & Methods3
Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor
Social/Cultural Aspects of Design
Ecology
Method
Total Minimum Hours48

Advanced Studio Option

Studio
LA 533Planning & Design Studio I5
LA 534Design Workshop G-I5
LA 537Planning & Design Studio II5
LA 539Design Workshop G-II5
Additional Seminars and Coursework
LA 482Advanced Design Communications4
LA 501Landscape Arch Theory & Prac4
LA 513History of World Landscapes4
LA 597Research Design & Methods3
Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor
Social/Cultural Aspects of Design
Ecology
Method
Total Minimum Hours48


Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture: Pre-Professional

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. 

The following coursework is required of MLA students in the Pre-Professional degree program. These courses do not count toward the graduate degree.
LA 241Landform Design & Construction3
LA 250Environmental Site Analysis3
LA 280Design Communications I3
LA 281Design Communications II3
LA 342Site Engineering4
LA 343Landscape Construction4
LA 346Professional Practice2
LA 352Woody Landscape Plants4

Thesis Option

Studio
LA 433Graduate Foundation Studio5
LA 434Graduate Site Design Studio5
LA 533Planning & Design Studio I5
LA 534Design Workshop G-I5
Thesis
LA 599Thesis Research10
Additional Seminars/Coursework
LA 452Planting Design3
LA 482Advanced Design Communications4
LA 501Landscape Arch Theory & Prac4
LA 513History of World Landscapes4
LA 597Research Design & Methods3
Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor
Social/Cultural Factors in Design
Ecology
Method
Total Minimum Hours48

Advanced Studio Option

Studio
LA 433Graduate Foundation Studio5
LA 434Graduate Site Design Studio5
LA 533Planning & Design Studio I5
LA 534Design Workshop G-I5
LA 537Planning & Design Studio II5
LA 539Design Workshop G-II5
Additional Seminars/Coursework
LA 452Planting Design3
LA 482Advanced Design Communications4
LA 501Landscape Arch Theory & Prac4
LA 513History of World Landscapes4
LA 597Research Design & Methods3
Additional Required Electives chosen in consultation with MLA Advisor
Social/Cultural Factors in Design
Ecology
Method
Total Minimum Hours48

Other Requirements for Joint MLA and MUP degrees

Other requirements may overlap
Enrollment in each program at least 2 semesters
Minimum 400-500 level hours within LA 24
Minimum 500-level hours required overall for MLA 18
Minimum hours within UP 40
Minimum 500-level hours required overall for MUP 16 (12 in UP)
Up to 8 hours of UP coursework will be applied to the LA degree.
The MUP capstone requirement may be waived for a thesis completed in Landscape Architecture provided faculty from both programs participate on the thesis committee.
If pursuing the MLA thesis option, the thesis committee chair must be full-time in Landscape Architecture and one committee member must be from Urban Planning.
Minimum GPA 3.0
Total Minimum Hours80
Landscape Architecture will count up to 8 hours of Urban Planning courses as electives in meeting its 48 credit hours of degree requirements as long as the student is required to take no fewer than 40 additional hours in Landscape Architecture. The two programs must total a minimum of the sum of 40 Urban Planning hours plus 40 hours for the Master of Landscape Architecture.

for the degrees of Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban Planning


MASTER OF URBAN PLANNING

To be consistent with our accreditation requirements, we are using the Knowledge, Skills, and Values identified by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) as desired outcomes for planning education.

A.1. General planning knowledge:

  1. Purpose and Meaning of Planning:
  2. Planning Theory:
  3. Planning Law:
  4. Human Settlements and History of Planning:
  5. The Future:
  6. Global Dimensions of Planning

A.2. Planning skills:

  1. Research Written, Oral and Graphic Communication:
  2. Quantitative and Qualitative Methods:
  3. Plan Creation and Implementation: is able to use Planning Process Methods:
  4. Leadership

A.3. Values and ethics

  1. Professional Ethics and Responsibility:
  2. Governance and Participation:
  3. Sustainability and Environmental Quality:
  4. Growth and Development: Social Justice

MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE


This can be substituted with the learning outcomes of the LAAB Accreditation.

Master of Landscape Architecture students will have:

  1. Knowledge and skills in process, principles, and theories of design in landscape architecture
  2. Knowledge of histories and theories of the art and science of landscape architecture
  3. Knowledge of plants, ecosystems, and climate science
  4. Knowledge of resilience and landscape performance
  5. Knowledge of the legal context of the landscape architecture profession
  6. Knowledge of professional practice
  7. Skills in the application of assessment and analysis of site context and suitability of program, data, and other criteria in site design and planning
  8. Skills in developing design concepts, material detailing, and construction, including accessibility
  9. Skills in design communication with diverse audiences, including verbal, visual, and written forms
  10. Knowledge of construction materials and methods, including the use of specifications, construction techniques, material selections, and preparation of relevant documents
  11. Knowledge and skills of landform, engineering, and green infrastructure to facilitate ecological design, safety, and accessibility
  12. Knowledge of landscape performance, including the quantifiable assessment of benefits of landscape design
  13. Skills in collaboration, including interdisciplinary teams, and application of knowledge from different disciplines into design
  14. Knowledge and skills in research theories and methods, research ethics, and the understanding of research as it affects the current and future practice of the profession

for the degrees of Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban Planning


Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture Department website
For additional details and requirements email the Department of Landscape Architecture: ladept@illinois.edu

Urban + Regional Planning

Department Head: Marc Doussard 
Director of Graduate Studies: Andrew Greenlee
Urban + Regional Planning Department website
Urban + Regional Planning Department faculty
111 Temple Buell Hall, 611 Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-3890
Urban + Regional Planning email: urbplan@illinois.edu

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

Masters of Urban Planning Program Admissions & Requirements
Grad College Admissions & Requirements
Overview of Joint Degree Requirements see[Part II, section 3.5]