|
|
2008-2009 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)
|
|
Click here to view the Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning graduate program page.
Landscape planning and design have been part of the curriculum at Kansas State University since 1871, being part of the required curriculum of all students in the early days of the institution. The first MLA student graduated in 1968 and the MLA program is fully accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Program definition
Our definition of advanced landscape architecture education includes development of a strong foundation of traditional knowledge and skills as well as self-motivated and defined scholarship. Throughout the program, we are committed to research as a means of learning and serving communities and individuals.
Graduates of our program practice in a wide variety of natural and built environments including urban, suburban, rural, wilderness, domestic, and international. Their practice takes place in small and large firms, multidisciplinary firms, design/build, land development, facility management, public practice, academic settings, and within other fields. Kansas State University MLA graduates provide leadership in and advocacy for stewardship of the land and the interface of people with the land. They seek longterm solutions concerning land health, human dignity, and aesthetic quality.
Program mission and objectives
The mission of the Kansas State University MLA program is to prepare students to practice landscape architecture and advance within and contribute to the profession over time. It will provide opportunities for students and faculty to cultivate the skills of practice and explore and develop areas of expertise.
Goals of the program are to cultivate student competencies in
- design
- critical thinking
- research
- communication
|
The MLA program and curriculum
There are two program offerings in Landscape Architecture, Non-Baccalaureate and Post-Baccalaureate degrees, both of which result in a master’s degree. Core curriculum
The core courses are designed to fulfill several purposes. The series provides an overview of the profession of landscape architecture and explores the scope, context, and opportunities of the profession. Students are introduced to research as a principle tool of advancement of the profession and the application of research in professional practice. The following core courses are required of all graduate students in the MLA curriculum.
- Professional Electives
- Non-Baccalaureate (3)
- Post-Baccalaureate (8)
Master’s project & report option
Total credit hours required for MLA degree (36)
There are two options of study available to both Non-Baccalaureate and Post-Baccalaureate students.
- Master’s Project & Report for which the student must enroll in LAR 700 and LAR 705.
OR
- Thesis Option which requires the student to take LAR 898 and LAR 899.
Concentrations
The policy of the MLA program is that students develop their own area of concentration that reflects a focused investigation of topics and issues specific to their professional practice interests. The selected focus must reflect faculty experience, interest and expertise as well as the resources of the Department and the College. Non-Baccalaureate MLA
There is an Eleven-Semester Non-Baccalaureate MLA Degree Program for undergraduate students. Students are accepted into the College of Architecture, Planning and Design and begin their education by enrolling in the Environmental Design Program (ENVD). The ENVD Program provides a common first year for Landscape Architecture, Regional and Community Planning, Architecture and Interior Architecture and Product Design students. A student must make a decision early in the second semester of the first year regarding which of the four programs he or she would like to enter the following fall semester. Students in the Landscape Architecture Program will apply to the Graduate School for entry into the MLA program during the sixth semester of undergraduate study. Minimum requirements for acceptance to the MLA Non-Baccalaureate Program are:
- 3.00-4.00 GPA - Regular Admission
- 2.75-2.99 GPA - Probation
- 2.50-2.74 GPA - Probation by Department Request
GPA is based on the last 60 hours of credit earned at the time you are considered for admission. Landscape architecture applications may be required to submit examples of studio work if they have below a 3.00 GPA. The Graduate School will not admit students with less than a 2.50 GPA.
Graduate courses in landscape architecture begin during the summer after the sixth semester. Upon successful completion of the sixth semester and acceptance into the MLA program by the Graduate School, non-baccalaureate students will begin the MLA program of study.
For Non-Baccalaureate MLA students, two distinct study opportunities are offered during the eighth semester, each requiring 14 credit hours. The Italian studies program and the internship options have course requirements that substitute for the professional elective requirements in this semester. If the internship option is not selected during the eighth semester, a summer internship is required between the eighth and ninth semesters.
The landscape architecture program requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of university general education (UGE) electives, of which at least six credit hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. At least 15 credit hours must be in courses taken outside the college. No more than two UGE courses may be taken in a single discipline. A current listing of UGE electives may be found at www.k-state.edu/uge/. Students who participate in study abroad programs approved by K-State will meet UGE credit at the 300 level upon the successful completion of the program.
A listing of departmental professional electives can be found in the Landscape Architecture Handbook on the department website. Landscape architecture program
It is important to refer to the department website for current information regarding this program. The program is subject to constant review and change without notice. Students should obtain a copy of the current curriculum when they enter the program.
Total credit hours for graduation: 165 Third semester (17 credit hours)
- LAR 220 - Site Design Studio I (4)
- LAR 310 - Design Graphics and Visual Thinking (2)
- LAR 420 - Natural Systems and Site Analysis (4)
- LAR 433 - History and Theory of Landscape Architecture (3)
- HORT 374 - Woody Plant Materials I (3)
Fourth semester (16 credit hours)
- LAR 248 - Landscape Architecture Materials and Methods (3)
- LAR 320 - Site Design Studio II (5)
- LAR 322 - Environmental Issues and Ethics (3)
- LAR 520 - Technical Module II (1)
- Science Course with Lab** (4)
Fifth semester (17 credit hours)
- LAR 410 - Planting Design Studio (5)
- LAR 438 - Land Construction I (4)
- LAR 530 - Technical Module III (2)
- PLAN 315 - Introduction to Planning (3)
- ENGL 200 - Expository Writing II (3)
Sixth semester (18 credit hours)
- Application to the MLA program early spring (5)
- LAR 442 - Site Planning and Design Studio (4)
- LAR 439 - Land Construction II (2)
- LAR 540 - Technical Module IV (6)
- University general education elective*
Summer study (7 credit hours)
- LAR 010 - Landscape Architecture Field Trip (0)
Seventh semester (18 credit hours)
- LAR 444 - Internship/Advanced Studies Planning Seminar (1)
- LAR 550 - Technical Module V (2)
Eighth semester*** (14 credit hours)
Study abroad/internship
- Professional electives (9)
Ninth semester (15 credit hours)
- Professional elective (3)
- University general education elective* (3)
Tenth semester (12 credit hours)
- University general education elective* (3)
Notes
* Program includes 18 hours of university general education electives as required by the university. A current listing of UGE electives can be found on www.ksu.edu/registrar/enroll/gened.html.
** Science Course - Coordinate with Department’s Academic Advisor
***Eighth semester: Two distinct study opportunities are offered during this semester, each requiring 14 credit hours. The study abroad and the internship options have course requirements that substitute for the 9 professional elective credit requirements. If the internship option is not selected during the eighth semester, a summer internship is required before graduation. A current listing of UGE electives can be found on www.ksu.edu/registrar/enroll/gened.html. Students who participate in study abroad programs approved by K-State will fulfill the 6-hour UGE credit at the 300 level upon successful completion of the study abroad program.
For more information concerning course requirements and sequencing for the Non-Baccalaureate MLA option, please refer to the K-State University Undergraduate Catalog. Post-Baccalaureate MLA
There is a Seven-Semester Post-Baccalaureate MLA Degree Program for students applying with non-design undergraduate degrees. Applicants to the Master of Landscape Architecture Program have undergraduate degrees in many different fields. For this reason, the faculty evaluate all applicants on an individual basis to determine the applicant’s level of ability. Students may be required to undertake basic proficiency courses to ensure they have the knowledge and skills in history and theory, design, construction, planting design, and professional practice. The basic proficiency courses will vary with each individual, from none for a student with an accredited BLA degree to 55 credits for a student with no design background. The Post-Baccalaureate MLA Program is a two-year program for a student with an accredited BLA degree to a seven semester program for a student with no design background. Proficiency courses
Students without a design background enrolled in the Post-Baccalaureate MLA program are required to undertake basic proficiency courses to ensure they have the knowledge and skills in history and theory, design, construction, planting design, and professional practice. Possible required proficiency courses are:
- LAR 010 - Landscape Architecture Field Trip (0)
- LAR 220 - Site Design Studio I (4)
- LAR 248 - Land. Arch. Materials and Methods (3)
- LAR 310 - Design Graphics & Visual Thinking (2)
- LAR 322 - Environmental Issues & Ethics (3)
- LAR 410 - Planting Design (5)
- LAR 420 - Natural Systems and Site Analysis (4)
- LAR 438 - LA Land Construction I (4)
- LAR 439 - LA Land Construction II (4)
- LAR 442 - Site Planing & Design Studio (5)
- LAR 433 - History and Theory of LA (3)
- LAR 510 - Tech Module I (1)
- LAR 520 - Tech Module II (1)
- LAR 530 - Tech Module III (2)
- LAR 540 - Tech Module IV (1)
- LAR 550 - Tech Module V (2)
- LAR 560 - Tech Module VI (1)
- HORT 374 - Woody Plant Materials I (3)
Program structure
Both the Non-Baccalaureate and Post-Baccalaureate MLA programs are designed to give participating students a broad exposure to traditional and emerging forms of practice and professional opportunities. Program of study
The Graduate School requires that each student develop a program of study. The program of study is a list of the graduate courses each student intends to take to fulfill the requirements of their graduate degree. The 36 credit hour MLA program of study requires all students to take several core courses and to develop an area of emphasis or concentration. A program of study is developed by the student in consultation with his or her major professor and supervisory committee members and approved by the MLA coordinator. Most Post-Baccalaureate MLA students will file their program of study during their fourth semester. Non-Baccalaureate MLA students will file their program of study during their seventh semester. The program of study must be filed with the Graduate School by each student no later than during the semester prior to the final semester of study. Post-Baccalaureate admission
Application materials should be submitted for review to the Department of Landscape Architecture/ Regional and Community Planning and the Graduate School. International applications should be submitted by February 1 and domestic applications by July 1. The application package should contain the following materials:
- Completed K-State Graduate School application form.
- Proof of having a bachelor’s degree (may be noted on transcript).
- Two official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. Send these directly from the registrar of the college or university to this department to the attention of the graduate director. They become part of the student’s file and may not be returned.
- A letter of intent addressed to the landscape architecture faculty, stating your academic and professional objectives and your interest in the K-State MLA program.
- A portfolio or collection of previous design work, landscape plans, sketches, project photos, samples of academic, or professional writing. The collection of works may be presented with photocopies, diazo prints, or other similar formats. The portfolio will be used in conjunction with the transcripts to determine what basic professional courses might be required. A portfolio is not required for applicants without a design background. Please include postage-paid, self addressed shipping materials, if you would like your work returned.
- Three references from previous professors or employers, relative to the applicant’s ability to handle graduate level work. The names and addresses of the references should be listed on the application form. Copies of the reference form can be found on the LARCP website. (WORD or PDF). The applicant should fill out and sign the top portion and then give the form to the reference to complete and forward directly to the graduate director.
- There is a non-refundable application fee of $70.00 US for domestic students and $80.00 US for international students (which includes the department and Graduate School fees). Applications will not be considered without this fee. There are detailed instructions how to pay this fee online, in step 4 of the online application, with a credit card that is issued by a U.S. financial institution. Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover are accepted. Applicants can pay by check or money order, issued from a U.S. financial institution, payable to the Kansas State University Graduate School.
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for application.
International applicants must submit the following additional materials:
- Copy of original TOEFL Examination Score (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of 600 or above is required. Foreign students with a bachelor’s degree from an American university are exempt from this requirement. Students may be required to complete Intensive English Program before being allowed to enroll in MLA courses.
- Completed affidavit of financial support.
- Copy of passport.
Evaluation of the applicant will not begin until all application materials and fee have been received. |
|
|
