Landscape Architecture - Advanced Degree (MLA)

Graduate School

Program Website

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.

Post Professional MLA

The Post Professional 4 Semester MLA degree is intended for those students who hold a United States or Canadian accredited first professional degree in landscape architecture or architecture including BLA, BSLA, or BArch degrees. This course of study requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and four semesters.