About This Degree
The MLA-Advanced Professional degree is a two-year accredited program of study.
Applicants must hold baccalaureate degrees in landscape architecture from accredited programs. The advanced degree allows outstanding students to expand their knowledge in areas of special interest under the supervision of a major professor and supervisory committee.
The mission of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning's Master of Landscape Architecture graduate program is to: (1) prepare future professionals to address the dynamic issues and scales of landscapes across the Intermountain West and around the world; and (2) engage in creative intellectual work that contributes to the theory and practice of landscape architecture.
What You Will Learn
The Graduate Program Director advises all incoming students until they have selected a thesis topic. A major professor whose interests are closely aligned to those of the student (see areas of faculty expertise above) supervises thesis work. A minimum of 30 graduate-level credits, including thesis work, is required.
Students supplement requirements with courses negotiated with the major professor and supervisory committee. An outside area of emphasis or graduate specialization may be pursued by concentrating elective coursework in another department.
ADVISING
At a Glance
College: College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Department: Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Department
USU Locations:
- Logan campus
Program Requirements
Career And Outcomes
Career Opportunities
Graduates with an MLA have a wide variety of career options available:
- Licensed landscape architect Arborist
- Federal employment with USFS, NPS, BLM and others
- Visual/scenic landscape analyst
- Transportation planner
- Community planning and residential design
- Land development
- State park design
- Design campgrounds and trail systems
- Golf course architect
- Work in consultation with civil engineering or architecture firms
- Design of resorts and theme parks
- Design green roofs/rooftop gardens
- Historic preservation
- Sustainability coordinator
- University campus planner/landscape architect
- Protection of endangered species through habitat preservation
- Assist with the survey of archeology sites
- Promote forest sustainability in domestic and tropical forests
- Extension landscape architect
- Stormwater manager
- Virtual media design (graphic design, designing virtual landscapes for computer games)
- Academic positions in landscape architecture and horticulture programs
- Artist or sculptor
- Gardener or grower of nursery stock
- Nursery operator
Many other career opportunities are available depending on the student’s thesis emphasis, interests, and undergraduate degree.
Job Outlook
USU Locations
LOGAN CAMPUS
Admission
Admission Requirements
Students with any undergraduate major may apply. Students admitted from a background in landscape architecture will be admitted to the advanced professional program, and students with other undergraduate degrees will be admitted to the first professional degree.
Application Requirements:
- Complete the online application
- Pay the $55 application fee
- Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE
- Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
- Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
- Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
- Portfolios are required for the Advanced Professional degree. Advanced professionals should submit examples of most recent work. Team projects must clearly note your contribution to the project.
International students have additional admissions requirements.
Deadlines
The department has the following deadlines:
- Fall semester - March 15
- Applications submitted after March 15 will only be considered if there is space available in the program.
Plan Options
Students can receive the MLA by pursuing one of two options:
- In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
- The Plan B option requires the production of a paper or creative work of design and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.
Financial Aid
The majority of students in the department receive funding through faculty grants and contracts. The department also offers scholarships to students underway in the program. For more information on these, contact the department.
A variety of additional funding opportunities are available through the School of Graduate Studies.
Take The Next Step
How to Apply
View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.
Request Information
Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.
Cost and Funding
Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.
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