Landscape Architecture, MLA
Climate, Community, Ecology, Justice, Planning, Resilience, Sustainability, approved for STEM-OPT extension, design, landscape, urban
Do you love to draw? Are you passionate about ecosystems and enhancing communities? Become a landscape architect, and you can design built environments. We codesign with nature and cocreate places for all people to enjoy.
The MLA program at The Design School is an accredited graduate professional degree that prepares students for professional practice, advanced study and leadership in landscape architecture. The master's degree integrates knowledge from arts, science and technology and trains students to design our built environment through integrated systems thinking and transdisciplinary knowledge and skills, and cultivates capacity in working with communities to address pressing issues such as climate change and environmental justice.
The Master of Landscape Architecture program offers three pathways to accommodate applicants with various backgrounds. Applicants from diverse and non-design backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Students can complete the program in two to three years, depending on the focus of your bachelor's degree. The graduate program also prepares students for advanced research study toward a doctoral degree.
This program values and supports the landscape architecture profession's mission for designing more sustainable, resilient and just neighborhoods, cities and regions.
The Master of Landscape Architecture program is accredited by Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board. www.asla.org/accreditationlaab.aspx
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
56 credit hours and a thesis, or
56 credit hours including the required applied project course (LDE 593), or
56 credit hours including the required capstone course (LDE 622)
Required Core (15 credit hours) Research (9 credit hours) Electives (18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
LAP 513 Landscape Architecture Theory and Criticism (3)
LAP 571 Professional Practice I (1)
LAP 572 Professional Practice II (1)
LAP 613 Design Synthesis (3)
LDE 521 Advanced Landscape Architectural Studio I (5)
LDE 522 Advanced Landscape Architectural Studio II (5)
LDE 621 Advanced Landscape Architectural Studio III (5)
LAP 514 Research in Landscape Architecture (3)
Research are electives (6)
Design professional elective (18)
LDE 593 Applied Project (6) or
LDE 599 Thesis (6) or
LDE 622 Advanced Landscape Architectural Studio IV (6)
Students complete nine credit hours of research, including three credit hours of LAP 514 and six research area electives. Students should see the academic unit for an approved elective list.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- online graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- a portfolio, letter of intent and contact information of two references submitted via SlideRoom (https://asudesign.slideroom.com/#/Login)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The minimum score for admission to the program is 80 on the TOEFL iBT or an overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS.
The Design School requires that the portfolio, letter of intent and reference information be submitted in addition to the Graduate College application requirements.
Admission to the program is selective. Admission cannot be deferred, and students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted; otherwise, they need to go through the entire application process again for the year in which they are applying.
A personal interview is not required; however, a candidate wishing to visit the school is welcome and should make arrangements by contacting the department.
Additional Admission Information
Admission Requirements to the 2-Year Pathway
An applicant must have completed a four-year or five-year bachelor's degree with a major in landscape architectural studies or be a licensed landscape architect. The undergraduate degree must be granted by an institution that offers the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board or equivalent accredited degree program in landscape architecture.
Admission Requirements to the 2-Plus Pathway
Applicants must have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree in architecture, urban design, landscape design, planning, urban design, environmental or a related design field, or a baccalaureate degree with a major or minor in landscape design.
Admission Requirements to the 3-Year Pathway
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree in any field other than landscape architecture or a design-related field.
Deficiency Coursework
If a student is assigned any deficiency coursework by the academic unit upon admission depending on the undergraduate background, those courses must be completed with a grade of "B" (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher before completing the master's program required coursework. As an MLA student assigned deficiencies, there are two pathways.
Deficiency courses may include:
LAP 231 Introduction to Digital Applications for Designers
LAP 251 Plant Materials for Sustainable Landscapes
LAP 311 History of Landscape Architecture
LAP 312 20th Century Landscape Architecture
LAP 332 GIS Applications in Environmental Design
LAP 341 Landscape Construction I
LAP 342 Landscape Construction II
LAP 352 Ecosystems and Sustainable Design
LDE 590 Topic: Core Landscape Architectural Studio I
LDE 590 Topic: Core Landscape Architectural Studio II
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 05/01 | Final |
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 09/30 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Examine design creative process through theory and research articles measured through the final assignment.
- Apply key skills in the field related to the analysis of existing landscape conditions and the design of new proposals.
- Learn how to design a professional level in landscape architecture studio project.
The Design School is committed to the merging of global and local contexts and experiential learning through traveling experiences. Graduate students may incorporate travel as part of their studio design learning experience. The school also offers a number of summer study abroad programs in an effort to extend the learning opportunities through field studies and global engagement.
The Master of Landscape Architecture program prepares graduates to work in diverse aspects of the landscape architecture profession, encompassing public and private sectors as well as not-for-profit organizations. Some examples for the type of work include:
- climate change mitigation and adaptation
- community development
- creative placemaking and placekeeping
- ecosystem services and restoration
- environmental and climate justice
- low-impact development
- parks, open space and recreation
- smart cities
- sustainable cities and landscapes
- transportation and infrastructure development
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
For detailed information on licensure requirements, students should contact the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, www.clarb.org/.
The Design School
|
CDN 162
designgrad@asu.edu
480-965-3536
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
