Landscape Architecture (MS), Program Information

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Objectives

The Program is designed to provide advanced students the opportunity to enhance their prior academic and/or professional work experience with focused study in design theory/history, environmental resources, urban infrastructure or urban sustainability. Students entering this program of study are encouraged to build their coursework from the wealth of courses in the other School of Architecture and Planning accredited graduate degree programs, architecture and city and regional planning, as well as form relevant departments throughout the University. This is a three-semester, 36-credit program for those who already possess a professional degree in landscape architecture from an accredited university in North America. The entering M.S.L.A. student is expected to exhibit a focused research area of study. The Department Chair and/or designated faculty advisor will work with students to craft a course of study meeting their advanced academic interest. For this reason, students are required to take LAAR 788 - Supervised Research their first semester in the program. Inclusive in the suggested curriculum listed below, students are required to take four elective courses that must meet the approval of the Department Chair and/or the designated faculty advisor.

Note: The Thesis must meet all of the requirements for completing a thesis as outlined in the School of Graduate Studies Dissertation/Thesis Handbook.

Program of Study

The schedule listed below is the suggested sequence of study for completing all 36 credits of coursework required for the M.S.L.A. degree within a three-semester period.

Note: Students must satisfy all degree requirements within five (5) years from the date of admission to the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Course Requirements 36 credits

LAAR 540 - Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV 3 Credits *
LAAR 550 - Landscape Architecture Design Studio V 6 Credits *
LAAR 751 - Research Methods 3 Credits
LAAR 788 - Supervised Research 3 Credits
LAAR 789 - Supervised Research 3 Credits
LAAR 799 - Thesis Defense 9 Credits **
XXXX - 500 or higher level focus area course 3 credits
XXXX - 500 or higher level focus area course 3 credits
XXXX - 500 or higher level focus area course 3 credits
XXXX - 500 or higher level research/theory course 3 credits

Note

* or approved equivalent

***Upon achieving Master’s Candidacy, the student will continuously register in Fall and Spring terms for LAAR 797 (Thesis Guidance) until the Master’s Thesis is completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for review. The course is used only when the curriculum is near completion, and the student is completing the research and writing of the thesis. The course registration maintains the student status as a matriculated, full-time student (student is registered for 3 credit hours and the system reports a full-time 9 credit hour load). After the Intent to Defend the Master’s Thesis form has been accepted by the School of Graduate Studies, this course registration will be changed to LAAR 799 (Thesis Defense) for the given semester and count for 3 credit hours of curricular coursework (LAAR 799 will also count for 9 credit hours of load). Other courses cannot be substituted for LAAR 797. The only eligible grade for LAAR 797 is the grade of “S” and the only acceptable grade for LAAR 799 is “P/F” (Pass/Fail).

Curriculum Sequence

Landscape Architecture (MS), Curriculum Sequence