Landscape Architecture Major, MSLA

The Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (MSLA) is a research-oriented degree with a technical focus that leads students to careers requiring the application of scientific principles to environments, environmental systems, or their management. The MSLA prepares students who have no previous formal study in landscape architecture for careers that do not require professional licensure. Students will work primarily with faculty members engaged in research. Curricular focus areas are linked to faculty interests and address current issues and opportunities in the field. Faculty interest areas are described in the introduction to the graduate landscape architecture program.

Admission to MSLA (Research Degree)

Submit online application to the Office of Graduate Admissions. In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s minimum requirements, the following specific admission requirements must be met.

• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 12 credit hours of humanities courses from an accredited college or university is required or the international equivalent. International applicants must have an equivalent four-year degree and 3.0 GPA. 
• An essay addressing intent and expectations for study in the program. 
• Three letters of recommendation. 
• A personal onsite interview is desirable but not mandatory. 
• The general portion of the Graduate Record Examination is required of all applicants. Applicants should take the GRE at least one semester in advance of application for admission. 
• Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Candidates with a GPA less than 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission when evidence of exceptional promise is identified.

MSLA applicants are also are strongly encouraged to submit the following.

• Examples of visual creativity and ability to document landscapes or landscape data relevant to the proposed area of study. 
• Examples of previous writings or research. The applicant’s role in any collaborative work submitted must be clearly identified. 
• In his/her application, each candidate must identify a specific area of research aligned with the general goals of the landscape architecture graduate program and the research interests of the standing faculty, not limited to the Colleges of Architecture and Design and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Requirements

Thesis Option: Requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate course work including 6 hours of Thesis LAR 500  with a public presentation and oral defense of the thesis.