Landscape Architecture (Advanced Professional Degree)

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.

REQUEST INFORMATION
ADVISING

At a Glance

College: College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department: Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Department

USU Locations:

Logan campus

Program Requirements

Update this page

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

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

Sean Michael

Professor
Email: sean.michael@usu.edu
Office: FAV 252
Phone: (435) 797-0509

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

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.