ESF Academic Catalog
Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)
The ESF Department of Landscape Architecture offers a range of degree options at the Masters and Ph.D. level.
The degree is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).
A three-year program for students who have no design or planning background leads to the fully accredited professional degree of Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.). This program is for students who intend to complete coursework full time. Applicants with a related design or planning degree may enter the three-year program with advanced standing.
The M.L.A. program, for the student seeking a first professional degree in landscape architecture, is a tightly structured curriculum because it includes the prerequisite course work that qualifies the graduate to take the Landscape Architecture Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.).
M.L.A. Program Requirements
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 500 | Digital Methods & Graphics I | 3 | |
| LSA 501 | Landscape Representation II | 3 | |
| LSA 552 | Graphic Communication | 3 | |
| LSA 600 | Design Studio I | 4 | |
| LSA 601 | Design Studio II | 4 | |
| LSA 605 | History of Landscape Arch | 3 | |
| LSA 611 | Natural Factors Analysis | 3 | |
| LSA 615 | Site Construction | 3 | |
| LSA 620 | Design Studio III | 4 | |
| LSA 632 | Plants and Landscapes | 2 | |
| LSA 633 | Planting Design&Practice | 3 | |
| LSA 640 | Research Methods | 3 | |
| LSA 645 | Construct Document Studio | 3 | |
| LSA 650 | Behavr Factor/Comm Desgn | 3 | |
| LSA 651 | Comprehensive Land Plan | 3 | |
| LSA 655 | Prof Prac/Lndscpe Arch | 3 | |
| LSA 670 | Thematic Land Dsgn Studio | 6 | |
| LSA 697 | Topics+Issues/Land Arch | 1 | |
| LSA 700 | Design Studio V | 4 | |
| LSA 799 | Capstone/Thesis Prop Dev | 3 | |
| LSA 800 | Capstone Studio | 6 |
Final Integrative Experience
M.L.A. students must complete an integrative experience. Students must participate in the capstone studio and complete a 6-credit independent design project during the final semester of the program. M.L.A. students must disseminate the results of their integrative studies through capstone seminars.
The M.L.A. program requires 70 credit hours.
Master of Science (M.S.)
The M.S. in Landscape Architecture program serves the advanced professional,and therefore, course requirements do not address foundation professional courses in landscape architecture. The student, in consultation with the major professor and steering committee, has great flexibility in developing a program of study suited to career goals in the chosen area of study.
M.S. Program Requirements
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 640 | Research Methods | 3 | |
| LSA 697 | Topics+Issues/Land Arch | 1 | |
| LSA 799 | Capstone/Thesis Prop Dev | 3 | |
| LSA 899 | Masters Thesis Research | 1 - 12 |
Students may register for LSA 899 Master’s Thesis Research as necessary for completion up to the time limit of the M.S. program. Minimum of 6 credits required.
Final Integrative Experience
M.S. students must complete an integrative experience and must complete a thesis (6 credits). The thesis may be research in which new, original knowledge is generated, it may be a study that focuses on the application of existing knowledge to a new situation, or it may combine both elements. Students must disseminate the results of their integrative studies through capstone seminars.
Doctoral Level Studies
Doctoral level studies in landscape architecture may be tailored in connection with the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in the Graduate Program in Environmental Science (GPES). Please see The Division of Environmental Science section of this catalog.