Master of Landscape Architecture

Students without prior background study constitute the majority of the student body. They are from a wide diversity of academic fields. Normally, they complete the degree requirements in six semesters, plus a prerequisite Summer Session studio taken prior to the first fall semester. This three and a half year program comprises the Path A curriculum. Prior to enrollment, students are encouraged to take a drawing course.

Students with degree backgrounds in Architecture and Landscape Architecture can be granted advanced standing and may complete the degree requirements in four semesters. The Path A advanced standing program is for applicants with undergraduate degrees in Architecture. The Path B program is for applicants with professional undergraduate degrees in Landscape Architecture (B.L.A. or B.S.L.A.).

Curriculum   The Department offers a professional degree program at the graduate level with an emphasis on design. Graduates are prepared for professional work in private offices, teaching, and public service. Design is understood to be the intentional expression of values in built form. As a landscape architect, one translates cultural values about humanity's relationship to the natural world and then embodies those values in built work. This translation and interpretation leads one to explore the intersection of design, history, ecology, ethics, philosophy, social sciences, and engineering. Thus, students are required to take a wide range of studios, lecture courses, and reading seminars which address these topics. The heart of the program lies in its design studios, which afford an opportunity for intensive individual instruction. Special attention is given to history and theory as a means of providing a perspective on the design tasks of the present as well as a commitment to building, carefully and thoughtfully, with the land.

During the final semester, students may choose from three studio options: an independent studio, a landscape architecture studio, or an interdisciplinary studio in architecture, urbanism, or preservation. If an independent studio is pursued, students are required to take L AR 821 Research Methods, during the prior semester as a means of preparation.

Path A Curriculum
The Path A program allows students with liberal arts undergraduate degrees or pre-professional undergraduate degrees (e.g., B.S. in Architecture) to obtain a first professional degree in Landscape Architecture. This requires three years plus an introductory summer session of 8 weeks duration. Each semester's work consists of a design studio and supporting history/theory, construction, natural systems, and/or drawing courses.

A total of eighteen elective credits is required. Six of those credits (two courses) must be taken in the Department of Landscape Architecture. The remaining twelve credits can be taken in any department of the School and throughout the University. Since students are coming from different backgrounds and experiences, it is expected that the electives can either be distributed to give students exposure to the different fields related to Landscape Architecture, or they can be focused to develop an area of expertise, such as design theory, historic preservation, ecological design and planning, or urbanism. Students can undertake an independent study with a faculty member as one of their electives, but those wishing to take more than one independent study must petition the faculty to do so.

In the final year, students may elect to undertake an independent studio. If so, L AR 821 Research Methods must be taken in the fall semester in order to develop a thesis, identify a faculty advisor(s), and prepare a theoretical basis for the spring term independent studio. L AR 821 counts as one of 18 credits (6 courses) of electives.

Summer Session
L AR 501	Intro. to Landscape Architecture Design	3
L AR 503	Landscape Architectural Drawing	2
	Total	5
L AR 502	Intro. to Landscape Architecture Design	3
	Total	3
First Year
First Semester
L AR 601	Landscape Architecture Design I	6
L AR 509	Landscape Architecture Drawing and Representation	3
L AR 512	History of European and Asian Landscape Architecture	3
L AR 507	Plants and Environment	4
	Total	16
Second Semester
L AR 602	Landscape Architecture Design II	6
L AR 535	Introduction to Sites	4
L AR 513	History of American Landscape Architecture	3
L AR 525	Grading and Drainage	4
	Total	17
Second Year
First Semester
L AR 701	Landscape Architecture Design III	6
L AR 713	Construction	3
L AR 514	Theories of Modern Landscape Architecture	3
	Elective[1]	3
	Total	15
Second Semester
L AR 702	Landscape Architecture Design IV	6
L AR 705	Plants and Design	4
L AR 714	Site Engineering	4
	Elective[1]	3
	Total	17
Third Year
First Semester
L AR 801	Landscape Architecture Design V	6
L AR 825	Principles of Road Designs	4
	Electives[1]	6
	Total	16
Second Semester
L AR 802	Landscape Architecture Design VI or
	Interdisciplinary Studio or
	Independent Studio	6
L AR 804	Professional Practice	3
	Electives[1]	6
	Total	15
	Total Credits	104

^[1] A total of eighteen credits of electives are required. This must include two landscape architecture electives. The remaining four courses are free electives.

Path A Advanced Standing Curriculum
Students with accredited baccalaureate degrees in Architecture are admitted with advanced standing and generally complete 65 hours of course work for the degree, depending upon the extent to which technical courses in Landscape Architecture were included in their architectural studies. The following program is representative, but may vary according to individual interest and prior work.

First Year
First Semester
L AR 701	Landscape Architecture Design III	6
L AR 507	Plants & Environment	4
L AR 512	History of European and Asian Landscape Architecture	3
	Elective	3
	Total	16
Second Semester
L AR 702	Landscape Architecture Design IV	6
L AR 525	Grading and Drainage	4
L AR 535	Introduction to Sites	4
L AR 513	History of American Landscape Architecture	3
	Total	17
Second Year
First Semester
L AR 801	Landscape Architecture Design V	6
L AR 514	Intro. to Theories of Modern Landscape Architecture	3
L AR 825	Principles of Road Design	4
	Elective	3
	Total	16
Second Semester
L AR 802	Design Studio or
	Interdisciplinary Studio or
	Independent Studio	6
L AR 705	Plants and Design	4
L AR 804	Professional Practice	3
	Elective	3
	Total	16
	Total Credits	65

Path B Curriculum
Students with accredited baccalaureate degrees in Landscape Architecture are admitted with advanced standing and normally complete the degree in four academic semesters. Their programs are tailored to their individual design and research interests. They are required to complete at least 60 hours of course work, which includes four design studios and two Landscape Architecture electives. If an independent studio is pursued, it must be preceded by L AR 821 Research Methods. The following program is representative but may vary according to individual interest and prior course work. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses in all departments of the School, and in related fields of study across the University.

First Year
First Semester
L AR 701	Landscape Architecture Design III	6
L AR	Elective	3
	Electives	6
	Total	15
Second Semester
L AR 702	Landscape Architecture Design IV or
	Urbanism Studio	6
L AR	Elective	3
	Electives	6
	Total	15
Second Year
First Semester
L AR 801	Landscape Architecture Design V	6
	Electives	9
	Total	15
Second Semester
L AR 802	Design VI or
	Independent Studio or
	Interdisciplinary Studio	6
	Electives	9
	Total	15
	Total Credits	60

Continue to: Special Programs
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