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 and Options Available

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

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 – Advanced Placement Option 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 by the director 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. Proof of a minimum of one year of studio design experience is required.
    • Path C – is designed specifically for students in the BArch program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and it allows for students from the BArch to complete the MLA in as little as one year of graduate studies. To pursue this option, students must apply for acceptance to the School of Landscape Architecture in the spring semester 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 C, (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 3.00 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 Option or Project Option

Credit Hours Required

85 Graduate Credit Hours

Required Courses

• Landscape Architecture (LAR) coursework  (64 graduate credit hours)
• GEOL 590   (3 credit hours)
• LAR 500  or LAR 598  or LAR 556   (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 graduate credit hours of open electives
• 12 credit hours of approved graduate elective coursework. Students are required to work with faculty advisors and the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory. Electives must be approved by the student’s primary advisor or the school director.

Non-Course Requirements

• A public presentation and oral defense of the thesis or project.

Additional Information

A typical program is completed in the following schedule:

• FALL YEAR 1
  • LAR 551   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 521   (3 credit hours)
  •   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 587   (3 credit hours)
• SPRING YEAR 1
  • LAR 552   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 522   (3 credit hours)
  • GEOL 590   (3 credit hours)
  • Landscape Architecture approved elective (3 credit hours)
• FALL YEAR 2
  • LAR 553   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 571   (4 credit hours)
  • LAR 581   (3 credit hours)
  • Landscape Architecture approved elective (3 credit hours)
• SPRING YEAR 2
  • LAR 554   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 534   (3 credit hours) 
  • LAR 584   (3 credit hours)
  • Landscape Architecture approved elective (3 credit hours)
• SUMMER
  • LAR 561 ¹ (3 credit hours)
• FALL YEAR 3
  • LAR 555  (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 535  (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 580  or LAR 583  (3 credit hours)
  • Landscape Architecture approved elective (3 credit hours)
• SPRING YEAR 3
  • LAR 500  or LAR 598  or LAR 556  (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 572  (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 582  (3 credit hours)
  • Landscape Architecture approved elective (3 credit hours)

 

MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree) Path B, Advanced Placement Option, Thesis Option or Project Option

Credit Hours Required

61 Graduate Credit Hours

Required Courses

• LAR 500  or LAR 598  or LAR 556   (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• Landscape Architecture (LAR) coursework (58 graduate credit hours)
• GEOL 590  (3 credit hours)

Non-Course Requirements

• A public presentation and oral defense of the thesis.

Additional Information

A typical program is completed in the following schedule:

• FALL YEAR 1
  • LAR 553   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 521   (4 credit hours)
  •  
  • LAR 587   (3 credit hours)
• SPRING YEAR 1
  • LAR 554   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 522   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 534   (3 credit hours)
  • GEOL 590   (3 credit hours)
• FALL YEAR 2
  • LAR 555   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 535   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 571   (4 credit hours)
  • LAR 580  or LAR 583  (3 credit hours)
• SPRING YEAR 2
  • LAR 500  or LAR 598   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 572   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 582   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 584   (3 credit hours) 

 

MLA, Track 1 (First Professional Degree) Path C, Thesis Option or Project Option

Credit Hours Required

31 Graduate Credit Hours

Required Courses

• Landscape Architecture (LAR) coursework (28 graduate credit hours)
• GEOL 590  (3 credit hours)

Additional Information

A typical program is completed in the following schedule:

• FALL YEAR 1
  • LAR 555   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 535   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 571   (4 credit hours)
  • LAR 580  or LAR 583  (3 credit hours)
• SPRING YEAR 1
  • LAR 500  or LAR 556  or LAR 598   (6 credit hours)
  • LAR 572   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 582   (3 credit hours)
  • LAR 584   (3 credit hours)

 

MLA, Track 2 (Post-Professional Degree), Thesis Option or Project Option

Credit Hours Required

42 Graduate Credit Hours

Required Courses

• LAR 500  or LAR 598  or LAR 556   (6 credit hours)
• LAR design studio (18 graduate credit hours)
• LAR non-studio coursework (9-12 graduate credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 6-9 graduate credit hours of open electives
  • 6-9 credit hours of elective credit hours required. Students are required to work with faculty advisor or the school director to choose courses that will best complement their specific degree trajectory.
  • Courses are selected in consultation with the major advisor and must provide the student with graduate credit.

Non-Course Requirements

• A public presentation and oral defense of the thesis.