Apr 23, 2024  
2013-2014 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2013-2014 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of 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.

Non-Baccalaureate MLA 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.

First semester (16 credit hours)

  • COMM 105 Public Speaking 1A (2)
  • ENVD 201 Environmental Design Studio I (4)
  • ENVD 203 Survey of Design Professions (1)
  • ENVD 250 History of the Designed Environment I (3)
  • MATH 100 College Algebra (3)
  • *General Elective (3)

Second semester (15 credit hours)

  • ENVD 202 Environmental Design Studio II (4)
  • PHYS 115 Descriptive Physics (5)
  • ENVD 251 History of Designed Environment II (3)
  • ENGL 100 Expository Writing I (3)

Third semester (17 credit hours)

  • LAR 220 - Site Design Studio I (4)
  • LAR 310 - Design Graphics and Visual Thinking (2)
  • LAR 350 - Landscape Architecture Plant Materials (3)
  • LAR 420 - Natural Systems and Site Analysis (4)
  • LAR 433 - History and Theory of Landscape Architecture (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)
  • Science Course with Lab** (4)

Fifth semester (17 credit hours)

  • LAR 410 - Planting Design Studio (5)
  • LAR 438 - Design Implementation I (4)
  • PLAN 315 - Introduction to Planning (3)
  • ENGL 200 - Expository Writing II (3)

Sixth semester (18 credit hours)

  • LAR 010 Land. Arch. Field Trip (0)
  • LAR 442 - Site Planning and Design Studio (4)
  • LAR 439 - Design Implementation II (2)
  • *General Elective (6)

Summer study (7 credit hours)

Seventh semester (13 credit hours)

  • LAR 444 - Career Planning Seminar (1)

Eighth semester (14-16 credit hours)

  • Professional electives (9)

Ninth semester (15 credit hours)

Tenth semester (10-12 credit hours)

Notes

Undergraduate Hours 124
Graduate Hours 36
Total MLA Degree Requirement 160

The K-State 8 General Education areas are covered by courses required in the Landscape Architecture curriculum. Information about the K-State 8 is available on the web and in the university catalog.

*A minimum of fifteen (15) general elective credits must be taken. General elective may be taken in pursuit of a minor. They may be taken any time prior to or during the Landscape Architecture program and may include KSU approved AP, IB, CLEP and transfer credit. Students may not count more than three (3) total hours of recreation credits toward graduation.

**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.

+ If a student elects the thesis option, LAR 897-Proposal Writing will be taken during the eighth semester for 2 credit hours. This course is completed by advance arrangement. LAR 897 students work independently to develop their thesis proposal with their major professor’s supervision. LAR 899-Research in Landscape Architecture will be taken in the ninth semester in place of LAR 700 and in the tenth semester in place of LAR 705 and LAR 898.

Post-Baccalaureate MLA

First semester (14 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)

Second semester (14 credit hours)

  • LAR 442 - Site Planning and Design Studio (5)
  • LAR 248 - Landscape Architecture Materials and Methods (3)
  • LAR 322 - Environmental Issues and Ethics (3)
  • LAR 010 - LA Field Trip (0)

Summer study (7 credit hours)

Third semester (17 credit hours)

  • LAR 350 - Landscape Architecture Plant Materials (3)
  • LAR 410 - Planting Design Studio (5)
  • LAR 438 - Design Implementation I (4)

Fourth semester (13-15 credit hours)

  • LAR 439 - Design Implementation II (2)

Fifth semester (12 credit hours)

Sixth semester (7-9 credit hours)

Notes

Undergraduate Hours 50
Graduate Hours 36
Total MLA Degree Requirement 86

All students will complete either a Master’s Report or a Master’s Thesis. + If a student elects the thesis option, LAR 897 Proposal Writing will be taken during the fourth semester for 2 credit hours. LAR 899 Research in Landscape Architecture will be taken in both the fifth semester in place of LAR 700 and in the sixth semester in place of LAR 705 and LAR 898.

Total credit hours required for graduate school program of study=36.