The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is a design-based professional degree that concludes with a design thesis or advanced design project. The MLA has a first-professional track (MLA, Track 1) that is designed to prepare students as critically-engaged practitioners, and a post-professional track (MLA, Track 2) that provides opportunities for research-oriented studies in areas of speculation and specialization.

Concentrations (Required) and Options Available

Track 1 (first professional degree track) — Thesis or Project
Track 2 (post-professional degree track) — Thesis or Project

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Master of Landscape Architecture – Track 1 (First Professional Degree)
  • The MLA-Track 1 is designed to prepare students to be critically engaged designers with the ability to employ a wide range of knowledge and skills in order to become leaders in the field. Two curricular paths are available in this degree track.
    • Path A is designed to accommodate students who have no previous formal study in landscape architecture.
    • Path B is designed to accommodate students with a bachelor’s degree in landscape design or students in related design fields like architecture, urban design or interior design. Any advanced standing in this path is determined on a case by case basis dependent upon the specific courses and content a student has already completed. Once advanced standing is determined, as little as two years may be required to complete the Path B program.
    • Path B – Advanced Standing Option is designed specifically for students in the BArch program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. To pursue this option, students must apply for acceptance to the School of Landscape Architecture in the Spring Term of their 4th year. This application must include all of the materials listed below which are required for admission to this degree track (see Admissions to MLA – Track 1 (First Professional Degree).
• Admission to MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree)
  • Submit online application to the Graduate Admissions Office. In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s minimum requirements, the following specific admission requirements must be met.
    • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university are required. International applicants must have an equivalent four-year degree and 3.00 GPA.
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation.
    • Letter of Intent. This letter should indicate why the applicant is interested in pursuing a degree in Landscape Architecture at UTK. Students are strongly encouraged to touch on the following points:
      • cite examples of your experiences that demonstrate the personal ambition necessary to succeed in landscape architecture at UTK.
      • discuss your primary motivations for pursuing a degree in landscape architecture.
      • explain why the School of Landscape Architecture at UTK is the preferred program for you to launch a career in landscape architecture.
    • Design Portfolio.
      • Students with prior design education or training must submit a portfolio illustrating evidence of creative work and design skills.
      • Students without prior design education or training may submit a portfolio if they feel it will help their overall application.
    • The general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended but not required. Applicants choosing to take the test 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). Recommended overall TOEFL scores are a minimum of 92.
    • A personal on-site interview is desirable but not mandatory.
  • Candidates with a GPA less than 3.00 may be considered for conditional admission when evidence of exceptional promise is identified.
• Admission to MLA, Track 1, Path B, Advanced Standing Option (First Professional Degree)
  • Students in the Advanced Standing Option at UTK must submit an online application to the Graduate Admissions Office in spring of their 5th year. At this time students must meet the Graduate School’s minimum requirements.
• Admission to MLA, Track 2 (Post-Professional Degree)
  • Submit online application to the Graduate Admissions Office. In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s minimum requirements, the following specific admission requirements must be met.
    • A first-professional Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or Bachelor of Science of Landscape Architecture (BSLA) degree from an LAAB accredited program with a 3.00 GPA or equivalent from an accredited college or university are required. International applicants must have an equivalent first professional degree and 3.0 GPA.
    • An essay addressing intent and expectations for study in the program.
    • Three letters of recommendation.
    • A portfolio that showcases prior design work developed in educational and/or professional environments.
    • Candidates with a GPA less than 3.00 may be considered for conditional admission when evidence of exceptional promise is identified.
    • A personal onsite interview is desirable but not mandatory.
    • The general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended but not required. Applicants choosing to take the test 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). Recommended overall TOEFL scores are a minimum of 92.

Academic Standards

Retention in the program is contingent upon evidence of satisfactory progress toward the degree. Individual student progress will be reviewed each semester by the school director. The School of Landscape Architecture Admissions Committee will review any questions regarding progress.

MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree) Path A, Thesis

Credit Hours Required

88 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• LAR coursework (67 credit hours)
• GEOL 590   (3 credit hours)
• LAR 500   (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours of directed and open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of directed elective and 3-6 credit hours of open elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. A minimum of 6 credit hours of directed electives and 3 credit hours of open electives must be taken at the 500 level.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor

Non-Course Requirements

• A public presentation and oral defense of the thesis

MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree) Path B, Thesis

Credit Hours Required

58 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• LAR 500  (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• LAR coursework (37 credit hours)
• GEOL 590  (3 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours of directed and open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of directed elective and 3-6 credit hours of open elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. A minimum of 6 credit hours of directed electives and 3 credit hours of open electives must be taken at the 500 level.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor

Non-Course Requirements

• A public presentation and oral defense of the thesis.

MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree) Path B, Project

Credit Hours Required

58 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• LAR coursework (43 credit hours)
• GEOL 590  (3 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours of directed and open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of directed elective and 3-6 credit hours of open elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. A minimum of 6 credit hours of directed electives and 3 credit hours of open electives must be taken at the 500 level.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor

MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree) Path B, Advanced Standing Option, Project

Credit Hours Required

58 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• LAR coursework (43 credit hours)
• GEOL 590  (3 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours of directed and open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of directed elective and 3-6 credit hours of open elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. A minimum of 6 credit hours of directed electives and 3 credit hours of open electives must be taken at the 500 level.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor

MLA, Track 2 (Post-Professional Degree), Thesis

Credit Hours Required

42 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• LAR 500  (6 credit hours)
• LAR design studio (18 credit hours)
• LAR non-studio coursework (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours of directed and open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of directed elective and 3-6 credit hours of open elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. A minimum of 6 credit hours of directed electives and 3 credit hours of open electives must be taken at the 500 level.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor

Non-Course Requirements

• A public presentation and oral defense of the thesis.

MLA, Track 2 (Post-Professional Degree), Project

Credit Hours Required

42 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• LAR design studio (18 credit hours)
• LAR non-studio coursework (12 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours of directed and open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of directed elective and 3-6 credit hours of open elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. A minimum of 6 credit hours of directed electives and 3 credit hours of open electives must be taken at the 500 level.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor