Landscape Architecture (MLA) (non-baccalaureate Master’s Thesis option)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Landscape architects design places that connect people to the natural world, creating landscapes for people’s everyday lives and their most memorable moments. The Master of Landscape Architecture degree prepares students to address the present and future environmental and urbanization challenges of our world.

Landscape architecture encompasses analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of urban, suburban and rural environments. The profession includes the design of green spaces such as plazas, gardens and parks. On a broader scale, landscape architects analyze sites to determine their most appropriate future uses and management practices, including the arrangement of buildings, transportation, and pedestrian and green infrastructure systems.

The degree is offered through two tracks:

The non-baccalaureate track for students without a previous degree allows students to enter as freshmen and progress through the professional graduate degree in landscape architecture
The post-baccalaureate track for students with a previous degree allows completion of a first professional degree in landscape architecture.

Both lead to an MLA degree fully accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Master’s degree requirements

Environmental Design Studies Program

First semester (17 credit hours)

COMM 105 - Public Speaking IA Credits: 2
ENVD 201 - Environmental Design Studio I Credits: 4
ENVD 203 - Survey of the Design Professions Credits: 1
ENVD 204 - Studio Seminar Credits: 1
ENVD 250 - History of the Designed Environment I Credits: 3
*General Elective Credits: 3
MATH 100 - College Algebra Credits: 3

Second semester (15 credit hours)

ENGL 100 - Expository Writing I Credits: 3
ENVD 202 - Environmental Design Studio II Credits: 4
ENVD 251 - History of the Designed Environment II Credits: 3
PHYS 115 - Descriptive Physics Credits: 5

Landscape Architecture Program

Seventh semester (12-14 credit hours)

KCDC or Study Abroad Option:
LAR 703 - Landscape Architecture Off-Campus Studio Credits: 5
Professional Electives Credits: 9
OR
Internship Option:
- LAR 703 LA Off-Campus Studio Credits: 5
LAR 655 - Landscape Architecture Professional Internship Credits: 7-9

Eighth semester (14 credit hours)

LAR 740 - Advanced Studio Credits: 5
LAR 725 - Research Methods Credits: 3
LAR 750 - Advanced Seminar Credits: 2
LAR 897 - Proposal Writing Credits: 2
***Professional Elective Credits: 3

Ninth semester (11 credit hours)

LAR 753 - Professional Practice: Professional Responsibility Credits: 1
LAR 754 - Professional Practice: Office Practices Credits: 1
LAR 899 - Research in Landscape Architecture Credits: 1-18
***Professional Electives Credits: 6

Tenth semester (10 credit hours)

LAR 899 - Research in Landscape Architecture Credits: 1-18
***Professional Electives Credits: 6

Notes

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.

All required courses taught in the landscape architecture and regional and community planning programs that are counted toward the degree must be passed with a grade of C or better.

*A minimum of six (6) 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. Graduate School admission is contingent upon completion of all required courses in the 3^rd – 6^th semesters.

**Off-campus semester: Two distinct study opportunities are offered, 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 seventh or eighth semester, a summer internship is required before graduation.

*** Six (6) credit hours of the required graduate level professional electives must be LAR courses. Students may petition for an exception to this policy if there is a demonstrated academic benefit.

Total credit hours required for graduation: (152)

Undergraduate Hours (118)
Graduate Hours (32)

Kansas State University

Course Catalog