Graduate Field
Landscape Architecture
Program Description
Our Graduate School program in Landscape Architecture complies with the requirements of three governing bodies: the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards (CLARB), and the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board. Designed to accommodate students from a wide range of academic backgrounds—whether or not they have prior training in landscape architecture or architecture—the program offers two distinct paths toward the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree. Each student's curriculum is individually tailored to align with their previous experience and academic goals.
The MLA program provides a comprehensive foundation in the historical, theoretical, technical, dimensions of landscape architecture that allow to ground design thinking. At the heart of the curriculum is the design studio, where students engage with core design methodologies, develop their individual design processes, and are introduced to research practices. Supplemental courses in history, theory, technology, ecology, and representation support and enrich studio work, offering essential content that is synthesized through project-based learning.
Studios expose students to diverse landscape scales, contexts, and contemporary issues. Each studio incorporates lectures, field work, guest presentations, precedent analysis, readings, and both individual and group critique. Rather than promoting a singular design philosophy, the studio sequence introduces students to a range of perspectives and approaches. The structured progression of studios builds in complexity across the curriculum, enabling students to deepen their skills and critical capacity with each semester. Small studio sizes foster meaningful interaction among peers and faculty.
A directed study aligned with the student's personal interests is required, and in their final semester, students may choose to complete a design thesis, a capstone studio, or a written research thesis.
First Professional MLA
The First Professional MLA (6 semesters, 90 credits) is an accredited degree program that qualifies graduates for licensure. It is intended for students who do not already hold a first professional degree in landscape architecture or architecture. Eligible backgrounds may include, but are not limited to, degrees such as Bachelor of Landscape Studies, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Design, or Bachelor of Architectural Studies.
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 90
Program Requirements
- All coursework for this major is in person, in Ithaca, unless otherwise noted.
- All major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
- A grade of C- or better must be earned for all studio courses in order to move to the next studio in sequence.
- There is a tech fee of $500 every semester for all Landscape Architecture majors. This fee allows access to the makerspace, computer lab, and necessary software licenses utilized in the program.
- Students can expect costs for studio supplies and field trips.
Core Coursework
Studio Sequence (30 credits total)
Studios must be taken in sequential order listed below. Students must receive a grade of C- or higher to advance to the next studio in sequence.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
LA 5010 | Composition and Theory I | 5 |
LA 5020 | Composition and Theory II | 5 |
LA 6010 | Integrating Theory and Practice I | 5 |
LA 6020 | Integrating Theory and Practice II | 5 |
LA 7010 | Urban Design and Planning | 5 |
LA 7020 | Advanced Design Studio | 5 |
Technical Requirements (26 credits total)
All courses listed below must be taken.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
LA 5050 | Graphic Communication I | 3 |
LA 5060 | Graphic Communication II | 3 |
LA 5100 | Computer Applications in Landscape Architecture | 3 |
LA 5910 | Creating the Urban Eden: Woody Plant Selection, Design, and Landscape Establishment | 5 |
LA 6120 | Professional Practice | 2 |
LA 6160 | Site Engineering | 5 |
LA 6180 | Site Assembly | 5 |
History and Theory Studies (15 credits total)
MLA students are required to take five history/theory courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits to fulfill this requirement. They must take LA 5900, LA 6900, and LA 6910, along with 2 more 3-credit courses that cover history/theory studies. Below is a list of recommended courses that fulfill this requirement. Please discuss with your faculty advisor to receive approval of any courses that are not listed below.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
LA 5900 | Theoretical Foundations | 3 |
LA 6900 | Methods of Landscape Architectural Inquiry | 3 |
LA 6910 | Landscape Design History II | 3 |
| |
| |
LA 6930 | Second World Urbanism: Landscape Infrastructures | 3 |
LA 6941 | | |
LA 5170 | | |
LA 6070 | | |
Directed Study (10 credits total)
The directed study is defined by the student in consultation with their faculty advisor. Because the field of landscape architecture is broad, students are asked to define a focus area of interest within the discipline. Along with LA 6030, the students must take 3 courses, totaling at least 9 credits, to fulfill this requirement.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
LA 6030 | Directed Study: The Concentration | 1 |
| 9 |
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.