Watch the live information session recording with Professor Mason White, Program Director

Description

The post-professional Master of Landscape Architecture program is an advanced design and research option for individuals already holding a professional degree in landscape architecture. This option provides a challenging and rigorous forum for those wishing to extend and focus their previous education in landscape architecture. It seeks a diverse range of applicants, particularly those holding the promise of professional and academic leadership.

Successful applicants will declare a specific research area of interest and structure an integrated course of study that includes a field course, colloquium, thesis preparation, and electives. The program is oriented around a design-research thesis project. Students work closely throughout the program with faculty advisors with expertise in a declared area of interest, and gain insight from leading practitioners, theorists, and guest critics. This program is aligned with the post-professional Master of Architecture to allow students to build a cohort across the two disciplines, offering an enriched experience.

Applicants should identify research proposals within one of the areas of interest offered in the program:

• Computation + Fabrication
• Health + Society
• Sustainability + Environment
• Justice + Action
   

Applicants should indicate their research interests and rationale in a concise statement of no more than 1000 words. It is not necessary to declare an advisor at the application stage.

The post-professional Master of Landscape Architecture does not grant a professionally accredited degree; rather, a professional degree is a prerequisite for admission.

The course of study includes 6.0 credits over two semesters of study including an intensive two-week fieldcourse (0.5) and thesis preparation (0.5) during late summer, thesis I (1.0), thesis II (1.5), and additional core and elective courses (2.5).

At least one of the electives should have subject overlap with the student's research and area of interest, as agreed upon with their advisor. Post-Professional MLA students should communicate to the program director their choice of one of the two following emphases for study:

Emphasis: Design Research

Term 1 (Fall)

ALA 4010H: Field Course (intensive two-week course in late-August)
ALA 4020H: Thesis Prep (intensive two-week course in late-August)

ALA 4021Y: Thesis 1
ALA 4030H: Colloquium
Elective 
Elective

Term 2 (Winter)

ALA 4022Y: Thesis 2
ALA 4040H: Theories and Methods 
Elective

Emphasis: Professional Practice

Term 1 (Fall)

ALA 4010H: Field Course (intensive two-week course in late-August)
ALA 4020H: Thesis Prep (intensive two-week course in late-August)

ALA 4021Y: Thesis 1
LAN 3045H: Advanced Site Technologies
Elective 
Elective

Term 2 (Winter)

ALA 4022Y: Thesis 2
LAN3052H: Professional Practice 
Elective

More information on admissions for the post-professional Master of Landscape Architecture program is available on our Graduate Admissions page.

October 1, 2025: Applications open
January 5, 2026: Applications due

Header image: Student work by Yimin Hu