Master of Landscape Architecture

The MLA Program

The objectives of the MLA program at the University of Illinois are to provide the student with a specialization in areas reflecting central issues in landscape architecture, fundamental research development skills, and proficiency in the traditional core methods of the profession. The Department offers two degrees -- the MLA for those with BLA degrees and the accredited first professional MLA for those with degrees in other fields. The specializations in Community and Urban Landscape Design, Ecological Design and Technology, and Cultural Heritage Design draw on the unique strengths of our Department and campus. Specializations are served by core faculty with advanced degrees in landscape architecture, ecology, social psychology, and the history of architecture. Two-thirds of the core faculty hold the Ph.D. Affiliated faculty represent numerous universities.

Our students come from diverse backgrounds, including environmental studies, art, architecture, philosophy, biology, and landscape architecture. Some are recent landscape architect graduates, some experienced practitioners, and others second-career aspirants from entirely different disciplines. Approximately one-third of our graduate students are international.

Those with an accredited undergraduate degree in landscape architecture enter a two-year program. Students with other undergraduate degrees take prerequisite courses in the basic skills related to landscape architecture and should expect a two-and-one-half to three-year accredited MLA program. All MLA students are required to complete a thesis. Beginning in 2008, all MLA students (except those with BLA degrees and practice experience) will be required to complete a three-month internship in a professional office. Typically the internship will be completed in the summer.

Application to our MLA program is made through the Graduate College. Financial aid is available through the University. Interest in financial aid can be indicated on the graduate application form. In addition, a number of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are available to graduate students.

Graduate studies consist of an integrated program of course work, studios, and thesis. Courses provide information about issues and methods, studios apply that information to specific projects, and the thesis allows individuals to pursue an issue of particular interest in greater depth. To ensure that appropriate information and experiences are gained, there are required core courses plus recommended electives for each specialization

Areas of Specialization

Students select an area of specialization that reflects their interests, background, and career aspirations. The Department offers three areas of specialization and one joint degree program:

   •   Community and Urban Landscape Design
   •   Ecological Design and Technology
   •   Cultural Heritage Design
   •   Joint MLA/MUP Degree

Students may change their specialization after the initial declaration; however, a firm decision should be reached early in the student's program to ensure sufficient time to satisfy the degree requirements.


Advising

All incoming MLA students meet with the Program Coordinator prior to registration for the first semester. At this time, courses are selected. In addition, all MLA students are assigned a faculty mentor. The assignment of mentors is based on students' interests and backgrounds. Mentors provide guidance relating to course selection, research topics, and proposed programs of study. Once a student has identified a thesis committee chair, the thesis chair replaces the mentor and becomes the primary advisor. The Program Coordinator continues to assist with technical issues such as registration, funding, and the certification of course work as meeting degree requirements.

Courses

Graduate studies consist of an integrated program of course work, studios, and independent thesis research. Courses provide information about issues and methods, studios apply that information to specific projects, and the thesis allows individuals to pursue an issue of particular interest in greater depth. The University's on-line course catalog (available from www.courses.uiuc.edu) provides a complete list of landscape architecture courses along with brief descriptions of each.

To ensure that appropriate information and experiences are gained, there are required core courses plus recommended courses and electives for each specialization. Prerequisite and core courses in each specialization must be taken for a grade; credit-no credit is not an option for these courses.

The following professional courses are required for the accredited first professional MLA degree for those students who do not possess an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture or Architecture.

LA 233 Foundation Design Studio
LA 234 Site Design Studio
LA 241 Landform Design and Construction
LA 280 Design Communications 1
LA 281 Design Communications 2
LA 335 Community and Open Space Studio
LA 342 Site Engineering
LA 343 Landscape Construction
LA 346 Professional Practice
LA 513 History of World Landscapes
HORT 301 Woody Landscape Plants I
HORT 302 Woody Landscape Plants II

Courses listed below are required for the accredited first professional MLA degree for those students with Architecture degrees.

LA 335 Community and Open Space Studio
LA 342 Site Engineering
LA 513 History of World Landscapes
HORT 301 Woody Landscape Plants I
HORT 302 Woody Landscape Plants II

In addition to the core professional courses, students take courses specific to their chosen specializations. See each specialization for the required courses.

   •   Community and Urban Landscape Design
   •   Ecological Design and Technology
   •   Cultural Heritage Design
   •   Joint MLA/MUP Degree