The graduate program in landscape architecture leads to a professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree. Two- and three-year degree options accommodate students with design and other undergraduate degrees. The landscape program further develops cross-disciplinary connections among architecture, urban design and visual arts in the Sam Fox School.
The program in landscape architecture focuses on the three subjects of design, ecology and urbanism. The transformative process of design — linking cultural, historical and technological investigations — forms the pedagogical basis for research. Ecology informs design practice to address a multiplicity of scales and natural systems within the environment. Urbanism serves as a terrain of contemporary landscape practice. As heirs to design, ecological and urban traditions, landscape architects are uniquely suited to articulate a spatial vision for today's environment. This three-pronged approach is geared to develop the students' critical and conceptual abilities and to prepare them to become leaders within professional and academic spheres.
The curriculum is centered on studio teaching supported by instruction in technology, history and theory. Following the core sequence of design studios and classes, students are encouraged to develop their own research interests through advanced design studios and electives. Interdisciplinary and international option studios foster a multiplicity of perspectives leading to a research-based degree project (thesis or independent study). In addition, students have opportunities to further their investigations within and beyond the school through teaching and research assistantships and scholarships.
The landscape architecture program draws on a unique set of institutional, regional and international resources available at the Sam Fox School. St. Louis functions as a laboratory for understanding and testing ecological and urban theories at the local scale, from brownfield reclamation to urban agriculture systems. Washington University's outstanding programs in Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, and American Culture Studies expand curricular offerings in ecology, technology and landscape studies, and the internationally renowned Missouri Botanical Garden serves as an exceptional tool of research and teaching. Finally, through the extensive international offerings of the school, students experience different landscapes, cultures and cultures of practice.
For a list of faculty members, please refer to the Architecture faculty page.
Master of Landscape Architecture Degree - MLA 3
The following is the curriculum sequence for the three-year MLA program:
- Pre-Semester Course: Landscape Architecture/Architecture Orientation + Workshop
Semester/Units
Semester |
Units |
First Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio I |
6 |
Landscape Representation |
3 |
Shared Ecologies and Design |
3 |
Plants and Environment |
1.5 |
Grading and Landform |
1.5 |
Second Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio II |
6 |
Landscape Representation II |
3 |
Landscape Ecology |
3 |
GIS for Site Design |
1.5 |
Planting Design |
1.5 |
Third Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio III |
6 |
Visualizing Ecological Processes |
3 |
Landscape History and Theory |
3 |
Landscape Technology |
3 |
Fourth Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio IV |
6 |
Modern and Contemporary History |
3 |
Ecological Elective |
3 |
Elective* |
3 |
Fifth Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio V |
6 |
Research in the Landscape |
3 |
Ecological Elective |
3 |
Elective* |
3 |
Sixth Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio VI |
6 |
Professional Practice |
3 |
Electives* |
6 |
Total Units |
90 |
Please refer to the sections below for the comprehensive studio and thesis studio requirements.
Master of Landscape Architecture Degree - MLA 2
The following is the curriculum sequence for the two-year MLA program; placement is determined by the Admission Committee.
Semester/Units
Semester |
Units |
First Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio III |
6 |
Visualizing Ecological Processes |
3 |
Shared Ecologies and Design |
3 |
Plants and Environment |
1.5 |
Grading and Landform |
1.5 |
Second Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio IV |
6 |
Modern and Contemporary History |
3 |
Landscape Ecology |
3 |
GIS for Site Design |
1.5 |
Planting Design |
1.5 |
Third Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio V |
6 |
Research in the Landscape |
3 |
Landscape Technology |
3 |
Ecological Elective |
3 |
Fourth Semester |
|
Landscape Architecture Studio VI |
6 |
Professional Practice |
3 |
Ecological Elective |
3 |
Electives* |
3 |
Total Units |
60 |
Studio Requirements
All Master of Landscape Architecture students (including dual-degree students) must take one landscape architecture comprehensive studio.
Master of Landscape Architecture Comprehensive Studio Requirement
Students must achieve a minimum average of B- in the core sequence in order to enter the comprehensive studio sequence. Students who do not fulfill this requirement may be permitted to repeat Landscape Architecture Studio I or II. If a student still fails to meet the B- average after taking an additional 500-level studio, the student's status will be determined by a faculty committee.
Master of Landscape Architecture Thesis Studio Requirement
Students who wish to take the Landscape Architecture Thesis Studio must have earned a grade of B or better in two of the preceding three studios, with at least a grade of C in the third.
For a list of available courses, please refer to the Courses section of the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design in this Bulletin.