When to Apply
Students are admitted to the graduate program landscape architecture for the fall semester only. The deadline for receipt of applications is January 15 each year. Highly ranked applicants are usually advised of the results around April 1, although others may be admitted after that date.
Application Requirements
- Portfolio of student and/or professional work (see requirements below)
- Official transcripts from all previous university degree programs
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons who can evaluate the applicant’s academic qualifications, motivation, and potential for a career as a landscape architect
- Statement of Intent (This should clearly indicate the applicant’s plans for graduate study and professional career objectives.)
- Option preference. Selection of an option is non-binding and is used for advising purposes.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for the graduate program in Landscape Architecture.
International applicants also need to supply the following
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores (minimum 570 PBT, 230 CBT, or 89 iBT).
- Declaration and Certification of Finances for Admission to the Graduate College
On-line Application
Students apply online through the University of Illinois Graduate College.
Selection Criteria
Application materials are reviewed by the faculty of the Department of Landscape Architecture using the following criteria in order of importance:
- Undergraduate grade-point average. At least a 3.0 GPA is necessary for first consideration; and, for foreign students, the TOEFL score.
- Portfolio (see below)
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of Intent (see below)
- GRE scores
And to a lesser degree:
- Related work experience
- Extra curricular leadership and activities
Portfolio Requirements
A portfolio must be submitted to the Department if the student's undergraduate or professional work is in a design field. Non-design students are exempt from this requirement. Only the best and most advanced works should be sent, not a record of progress. A carefully prepared binder of color reproductions of drawings and models is preferred rather than originals, slides, and/or bulky exhibits. Please do not submit your portfolio electronically.
Statement of Intent
Because applicants to the MLA program are not required to have an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture, the Statement of Intent on each candidate's application form is closely reviewed to identify a match between the prospective student's interests and the Department's resources and facilities. Be sure that your one-page "Statement of Intent" addresses the following topics. Feel free to include any other information you believe will tell us more about your background, interests, and intentions as related to this academic program and to the study of Landscape Architecture.
Required Topics for Statement of Intent
- How do your previous experiences (academic study, work, volunteer activities) relate to your intended study of landscape architecture?
- What areas of study, related to the discipline of landscape architecture, do you wish to pursue in our program? Please explain.
- At this point, how do you plan to utilize your MLA degree? What type of work do you hope to do after graduation from our program (private sector, public sector, teaching, research)?
- What specific resources (faculty and other) does the University of Illinois possess for the kind of work you hope to pursue as a graduate student on this campus?
Portfolio Return Policy
Portfolios will be returned by mail to applicants if:
- self-addressed stamped envelope or pre-paid shipping carton is included
- weight is 16 ounces or less
Portfolios will be held for pick up by applicants for two months after letters notifying applicants of admissions decisions are mailed. After two months portfolios not retrieved will be discarded.
A studio discussion 
