ESF Academic Catalog
B.L.A./M.S. Fast Track
This option is available to outstanding fourth-year bachelor of landscape architecture students and provides the opportunity to receive both the bachelor of landscape architecture and master of science degrees during a six-year period at the College. Students who apply must have a minimum 3.000 GPA and are accepted into the program during the fall semester of the fourth year of the bachelor of landscape architecture program. The transition between the bachelor of landscape architecture and master of science curriculum requirements begins in the fall of the fifth year. The B.L.A. degree is awarded on completion of all professional requirements and a minimum of 141 credit hours. The M.S. degree is awarded after the completion of 30 graduate credits and successful completion of a research thesis. Depending on the student’s needs and research interests, there are two options available for pursuing an off-campus semester or a field research component. The first option (option A) allows students to pursue the off-campus semester with their undergraduate peers. The second option (option B) links the off-campus semester to graduate field research for their theses.
Fast-Track Option A – Summer start
Fourth Year, Summer option only
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 458 | Off-Camp:Adv Visit,Wkly Rpts | 4 | |
| LSA 459 | Off-Camp:Dsgn Journal/Proj Ntb | 4 | |
| LSA 460 | Off-Camp:Thesis Project | 7 |
Fifth Year (25-28 credits)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 455 | Prof Prac/Lndscpe Arch | 3 | |
| LSA 461 | Off-Camp Final Present Sem | 1 | |
| LSA 470 OR LSA 670 |
Thematic Land Dsgn Studio Thematic Land Dsgn Studio |
6 6 |
|
| LSA 596 | Spec Topics/Lndscpe Arch | 1 - 3 | |
| LSA 640 | Research Methods | 3 | |
| LSA 697 | Topics+Issues/Land Arch | Audit | |
| LSA 799 | Capstone/Thesis Prop Dev | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 - 9 |
B.L.A. program completed with a minimum of 141 credits earned
Sixth Year (12-24 credits)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 899 | Masters Thesis Research | 1 - 12 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 - 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.
B.L.A./M.S. fast-track program completed with a minimum of 171 credits hours of which a minimum of 30 credit hours must be graduate level courses.
Fast-Track Option B – Fall start
Fifth Year (24-27 credits)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 455 | Prof Prac/Lndscpe Arch | 3 | |
| LSA 470 OR LSA 670 |
Thematic Land Dsgn Studio Thematic Land Dsgn Studio |
6 6 |
|
| LSA 596 | Spec Topics/Lndscpe Arch | 1 - 3 | |
| LSA 625 | Orient/Experientl Studio | Audit | |
| LSA 640 | Research Methods | 3 | |
| LSA 697 | Topics+Issues/Land Arch | Audit | |
| Directed Electives | 6 - 9 |
Fifth Year, Summer (6-12 credits)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 760 OR LSA 798 |
Off-Camp Experient Studio Research Problem |
12 1 - 12 |
6 credits of LSA 798 may be taken to fulfill this requirement. LSA 760 or LSA 798 must be linked to thesis.
B.L.A. program completed with a minimum of 141 credits
Sixth Year (18-24 credits)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSA 899 | Masters Thesis Research | 1 - 12 | |
| Graduate-level Directed Electives | 6 - 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.
B.L.A./M.S. fast-track program completed with a minimum of 171 credits, of which a minimum of 30 credits must be graduate level courses.