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Graduate Record 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED RECORD]
Master of Landscape Architecture
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 Return to: Graduate School of Architecture: Departments/Programs
Mission
We seek to foster the next generation of design leaders in practice and academia who will envision a just and sustainable world. We challenge students to envision landscapes that simultaneously contribute to public life and embody an ethic towards the bio-physical world. Design studios confront the most pressing environmental and social issues of our day – social justice for marginalized communities, renewal strategies for shrinking post-industrial cities, and urban adaptation to global climate change. We believe responding to these tough challenges requires new thinking that links landscape form and dynamic processes at the widest variety of scales, from extensive infrastructural armatures down to the site of intervention. Our design approach rests on the principle that one must work with the existing site and understand its complex layered histories of biophysical processes and human activity in order to create meaningful proposals for that site. Our students are encouraged to shape their own individual educational trajectories by integrating their design or non-design undergraduate backgrounds, intellectual interests, and skills into their studies in landscape architecture. This fosters a rich and diverse thinking community united around a common interest to create yet-unimagined and powerful propositions for a resilient built environment.
Our graduate program is comprised of students coming from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, both with and without prior studies in landscape architecture. Applicants are required to submit an application that includes a series of essays plus a digital portfolio of their creative work. The portfolio work can range widely from personal design explorations to professional work to creative work produced in art or design classes. Prior to enrollment, students are encouraged to become familiar with the discipline through work experience along with reading and/or coursework in the history of landscape architecture, representation and ecology.
Our curriculum is a structured series of semesters that build incrementally from a core base of knowledge and skills laid out in the first year. While the first year is fully prescribed in its course requirements, later semesters leave elective options that allow students to pursue their own individual interests that can lead to a final independent design research studio.
The core of each semester is the design studio (6 credit hours) that meets three afternoons per week. The studio sequence exposes students to the range of scales and topical issues in landscape architecture. In emphasizing the ability to read and interpret a site within its context and shape its future based on those findings, the initial studios are based locally and emphasize on-site experience and documentation of place. Studios in the second and third years offer students opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary studios in cities and locations around the country and abroad. These advanced studios are research based, which encourages students to investigate the broader issues beyond a specific design problem and arrive at innovative and bold proposals.
Supporting the design studios, we have developed four tracks of curricula in related technical and theoretical content. Our Eco-Tech or “ecology and technology” sequence integrates the content of landform, water systems, bio-engineering, and regenerative technologies, all focused on innovation through living systems. The Planted Form + Function course series investigates the art and science of plants in both native and urban contexts. The Digital Practices track presents a broad range of design tools from hand drawing and modeling to digital drawing, simulation, and fabrication. Finally, the History and Theories sequence establishes the conceptual underpinnings of ancient to contemporary precedents, challenging students to put their work into an evolving body of critical thinking and knowledge. These four tracks of the curriculum are integrated with and synthesized through projects carried out in studio. In addition, students have a range of open electives that can be taken in the department, school-wide, and across the university to explore special topics in landscape architecture and issues in the related disciplines.
In the final semester of all four degree programs, students have the option to take the ‘Manifesto’ studio where they develop an individual line of inquiry or elect to undertake an independent research ‘Thesis’ studio. Both a design research methods class as well as a design research seminar must be taken in advance in order to develop a theoretical basis for independent research.
Courses taken previously at other institutions are normally not accepted as substitutions for required courses in any of the degree programs. Under exceptional circumstances a petition along with supporting materials (i.e. syllabus and work samples) may be submitted to receive an exemption from taking a required course. Candidates are required to fulfill the total degree credit requirement regardless of course exemptions granted. Petitions are to be submitted to the department chair or graduate program director for consideration and final decision.
The Master in Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) program is accredited by the National Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board. The program received its last six-year term of accreditation in October 2011 and will undergo review again in spring 2018.
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Master of Landscape Architecture Curricula
There are four paths for earning a Master of Landscape Architecture at UVa. Students without landscape architecture design backgrounds constitute the majority of our student body and complete our Path 3.0 program in six semesters plus a prerequisite introductory summer session. There are also shorter intensive paths of study for students with degree backgrounds in landscape architecture, and architecture. Please refer to our four curricular paths below:
MLA Path 3.0 program is designed for a student who holds a non-design undergraduate degree and whose educational background is not in landscape architecture or student without a pre-professional undergraduate landscape architecture degree.
The Master of Landscape Architecture Path 3.0 program allows students with undergraduate accredited degrees in any non-design field to obtain a professional degree in landscape architecture. The curriculum follows a prescribed core of foundational courses carried out in three years and begins with our introductory Summer Design Institute (SDI). Each of the six semesters is devised around a design studio with supporting history, theory, plants, visualization, and ecology/technology (eco-tech) courses. Students also are able to select from an array of open electives from within the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Architecture School, and from departments across the university. The self-tailored choice of electives encourages students to explore the discipline’s allied fields, and/or develop an area of expertise, such as design theory, historic preservation, or socio-ecological urbanism. Students are encouraged to undertake a self-directed research in the form of independent studies or an independent design research studio, both with Landscape Architecture faculty as advisors.
MLA Path 2.5 program is for students with pre-professional undergraduate landscape architecture degrees: Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture or Environmental Design. It is also designed for students holding degrees in landscape architecture from programs outside the U.S. that are not U.S. professionally-accredited programs.
The MLA Path 2.5 program is a five semester program for those with a design background in a program that has not been U.S. accredited. Path 2.5 applicants must have completed the at least six studios with a minimum of five credits each, with a minimum of three studios focused in the discipline of landscape architecture. The remaining studios have concentrations in architecture or urban design. In addition, potential candidates must have completed a minimum of two landscape architecture history or theory courses.
As with the Path 3.0 Curriculum, each semester is devised around a design studio with supporting history, theory, plants, visualization, and ecology/technology (eco-tech) courses. As a way to ground Path 2.5 students in our program’s pedagogy and methods, these students pursue the same studio and course track as entering Path 3.0 students in their first year. The last three semesters include more electives and allows for students to pursue specialization and individual interests through an array of courses that are offered in the Department of Landscape Architecture, and from within the A-School and across the university.
International Path 2.5 students must enroll in the introductory SDI/ Summer Design Institute Program in advance of their required semesters as a way to acclimate to graduate studies and immerse themselves in the culture of the school and university.To be able to fulfill the curricular requirements, Path 2.5 students must matriculate in the fall semester (i.e. cannot begin studies in the spring semester).
Non-native English speaking students are highly encouraged to take the ‘English for Academic Purposes’ (EAP) course in the summer prior to beginning graduate courses in the fall semester. Some may be strongly recommended to take English communications courses offered during the school year through UVA’s Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC) based on the results of required language testing for all incoming international students.
MLA Path 2.0 Advanced Program is designed for students with a Bachelor Landscape Architecture degree.
The Master of Landscape Architecture Path 2.0 Advanced program allows students with a landscape architecture undergraduate degree from a U.S. accredited program to earn an MLA degree in landscape architecture in four semesters. Path 2.0 Advanced applicants must have completed the equivalent of eight studios with a minimum of five credits each, with a minimum of six studios with a focus in the discipline of landscape architecture, the remaining in architecture or urban design. In addition, potential candidates must have completed a minimum of two landscape architecture history or theory courses.
With a substantial amount of previous course credits fulfilled in landscape architectural history and technologies, Path 2.0 Advanced students are allowed to create a more-open self-devised program of studios and electives which gives them the opportunity to pursue their individual interests and specialization in the field. Because of their advanced education background in the discipline, students in the Path 2.0 Advanced curriculum are highly encouraged to pursue advanced independent design research in close consultation with a faculty advisor and mentor.
MLA Path 2.0 Program is for students holding a U.S.-accredited Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree.
The MLA Path 2.0 program is an intensive two-year/four-semester immersion in the core theory and practical knowledge of the landscape architecture profession for students with architecture undergraduate degree backgrounds. Each semester’s focuses around a design studio with a full complement of supporting landscape history, theory, plants, visualization, and ecology/technology courses. Because of the compressed period of studies, the curriculum allows for a limited number of electives that can be taken within the department or school.
MLA Path 3.0 Curriculum
MLA Path 3.0 program is designed for a student who holds a non-design undergraduate degree and whose educational background is not in landscape architecture or student without a pre-professional undergraduate landscape architecture degree.
The Master of Landscape Architecture Path 3.0 program allows students with undergraduate accredited degrees in any non-design field to obtain a professional degree in landscape architecture. The curriculum follows a prescribed core of foundational courses carried out in three years and begins with our introductory Summer Design Institute (SDI). Each of the six semesters is devised around a design studio with supporting history, theory, plants, visualization, and ecology/technology (eco-tech) courses. Students also are able to select from an array of open electives from within the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Architecture School, and from departments across the university. The self-tailored choice of electives encourages students to explore the discipline’s allied fields, and/or develop an area of expertise, such as design theory, historic preservation, or socio-ecological urbanism. Students are encouraged to undertake a self-directed research in the form of independent studies or an independent design research studio, both with Landscape Architecture faculty as advisors.
Summer Design Institute/SDI Session - Credits 3
The Summer Design Institute prepares graduate students admitted to the Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture Programs for rigorous professional study in these design disciplines. Three courses comprise the full-time course of study over a four week period during the University of Virginia’s Summer Session. First Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 15 |
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Second Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 16 |
Spring Semester- Credits: 17 |
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Third Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 16 |
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Path 3.0 Degree Total - Credits: 97
Note:
- Path 3.0 students are required to take five electives (four for students who want to pursue ALAR 8995 - Independent Design Research Studio) offered in the Path 3.0 Curriculum. Three of these electives must be taken within the Department of Landscape Architecture. Remaining elective credits may be taken at the graduate level within any department in the University of Virginia. Up to one elective may be an independent study advised by a faculty member of the LAR program.
- All incoming international students, whose first language is not English, are required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam administered by the UVA Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC), unless they have been exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS. Based on the CAELC assessment of the test results, students who demonstrate a need for additional instruction in English communications are required to take courses specified by CAELC during their first school year. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) is required to pass the course(s) and count toward the fulfillment of the Master of Landscape Architecture degree.
- * Required only for students who want to pursue ALAR 8995 - Independent Design Research Studio.
MLA Path 2.5 Curriculum
MLA Path 2.5 program is for students with pre-professional undergraduate landscape architecture degrees: Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture or Environmental Design. It is also designed for students holding degrees in landscape architecture from programs outside the U.S. that are not U.S. professionally-accredited programs.
The MLA Path 2.5 program is a five semester program for those with a design background in a program that has not been U.S. accredited. Path 2.5 applicants must have completed the at least six studios with a minimum of five credits each, with a minimum of three studios focused in the discipline of landscape architecture. The remaining studios have concentrations in architecture or urban design. In addition, potential candidates must have completed a minimum of two landscape architecture history or theory courses.
As with the Path 3.0 Curriculum, each semester is devised around a design studio with supporting history, theory, plants, visualization, and ecology/technology (eco-tech) courses. As a way to ground Path 2.5 students in our program’s pedagogy and methods, these students pursue the same studio and course track as entering Path 3.0 students in their first year. The last three semesters include more electives and allows for students to pursue specialization and individual interests through an array of courses that are offered in the Department of Landscape Architecture, and from within the A-School and across the university.
International Path 2.5 students are must enroll in the introductory SDI/ Summer Design Institute Program in advance of their required semesters as a way to acclimate to graduate studies and immerse themselves in the culture of the school and university. To be able to fulfill the curricular requirements, Path 2.5 students must matriculate in the fall semester (i.e. cannot begin studies in the spring semester).
First Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 15 |
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Second Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 16 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 17 |
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Third Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
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Path 2.5 Degree Total - Credits: 78
NOTE:
- Path 2.5 students are required to take two electives offered in the Path 2.5 Curriculum. One of these electives must be taken within the Department of Landscape Architecture. Remaining elective credits may be taken at the graduate level within any department in the University of Virginia. Up to one elective may be an independent study advised by a faculty member of the LAR program.
- All incoming international students, whose first language is not English, are required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam administered by the UVA Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC), unless they have been exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS. Based on the CAELC assessment of the test results, students who demonstrate a need for additional instruction in English communications are required to take courses specified by CAELC during their first school year. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) is required to pass the course(s) and count toward the fulfillment of the Master of Landscape Architecture degree.
- * Required only for students who want to pursue ALAR 8995- Independent Design Studio.
MLA Path 2.0 Advanced Curriculum
The Master of Landscape Architecture Path 2.0 Advanced program allows students with a landscape architecture undergraduate degree from a U.S. accredited program to earn an MLA degree in landscape architecture in four semesters. Path 2.0 Advanced applicants must have completed the equivalent of eight studios with a minimum of five credits each, with a minimum of six studios with a focus in the discipline of landscape architecture, the remaining in architecture or urban design. In addition, potential candidates must have completed a minimum of two landscape architecture history or theory courses.
With a substantial amount of previous course credits fulfilled in landscape architectural history and technologies, Path 2.0 Advanced students are allowed to create a more-open self-devised program of studios and electives which gives them the opportunity to pursue their individual interests and specialization in the field. Because of their advanced education background in the discipline, students in the Path 2.0 Advanced curriculum are highly encouraged to pursue advanced independent design research in close consultation with a faculty advisor and mentor.
First Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 15 |
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Second Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 16 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 16 |
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Path 2.0 Advanced Degree Total - Credits: 62
NOTE:
- Path 2.0 Advanced students are required to take a minimum of seven electives. Four of these electives must be taken within the Department of Landscape Architecture, two of which must be history/theory electives. Up to one elective may be an independent study elective advised by a member of the LAR faculty. The remaining three electives are open and may be taken at the graduate level within any department in the University of Virginia.
- All incoming international students, whose first language is not English, are required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam administered by the UVA Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC), unless they have been exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS. Based on the CAELC assessment of the test results, students who demonstrate a need for additional instruction in English communications are required to take courses specified by CAELC during their first school year. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) is required to pass the course(s) and count toward the fulfillment of the Master of Landscape Architecture degree.
- *Required only for students who want to pursue ALAR 8995 Independent Design Research Studio.
MLA Path 2.0 Curriculum
The MLA Path 2.0 program is an intensive two-year/four-semester immersion in the core theory and practical knowledge of the landscape architecture profession for students with architecture undergraduate degree backgrounds. Each semester’s focuses around a design studio with a full complement of supporting landscape history, theory, plants, visualization, and ecology/technology courses. Because of the compressed period of studies, the curriculum allows for a limited number of electives that can be taken within the department or school.
First Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 15 |
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Second Year
| Fall Semester - Credits: 15 |
Spring Semester - Credits: 16 |
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Path 2.0 Degree Total - Credits: 61
NOTE:
- Because of immersion in the discipline of Landscape Architecture, there is only one elective offered to Path 2.0 students. This elective must be taken within the department and could be an independent study advised by a faculty member of the LAR program.
- All incoming international students, whose first language is not English, are required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam administered by the UVA Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC), unless they have been exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS. Based on the CAELC assessment of the test results, students who demonstrate a need for additional instruction in English communications are required to take courses specified by CAELC during their first school year. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) is required to pass the course(s) and count toward the fulfillment of the Master of Landscape Architecture degree.
- *Required only for students who want to pursue ALAR 8995 Independent Design Research Studio.
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