M.Arch + MLA

The Department of Architecture and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) offer a concurrent program in building and site design that leads to the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) and Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) degrees.

The program combines knowledge of ecological and social factors with the design of buildings and sites. As the professions of architecture and landscape architecture have matured over the past century, teaching and practice of the disciplines have become increasingly specialized. Architectural education and practice have focused on the design of individual buildings, with little emphasis on site design and environmental issues. Landscape architecture, on the other hand, typically has not been concerned with understanding and creating architectural form, but focuses on the design of outdoor spaces at a variety of scales, from small gardens or parks to large natural landscapes in cities and regions.

Today, professionals are needed who combine an understanding of individual building design with larger-scale site design and the cultural and natural factors that shape environments at all scales. Neither program alone can provide the range of skills and understanding that the College of Environmental Design considers essential in improving the quality of the built environment.

The concurrent program requires 72 units of coursework for students who have satisfied all prerequisites, and a minimum of 24 units in each department.

The concurrent program is intended for exceptionally qualified students who have either an undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) or a professional undergraduate degree (B.Arch. or B.L.A.) in architecture or landscape architecture and who satisfy either the two-year Master of Architecture admission prerequisites or the two-year Master of Landscape Architecture admission prerequisites.

Application to the concurrent degree program is competitive, and admission is contingent upon the applicant showing that he or she will be able to successfully complete the requirements for both degrees within three years. Applicants must be competitive with the two-year master’s applicants in the second department. Applicants may receive admission into two programs, one program, or neither program. Applicants will be notified of the admission decision separately by each department.

The following courses or their equivalents are required for admission to the concurrent degree program. Students without this background will be required to take these courses for elective credit.

*Note: Physics and calculus are prerequisites for this course and must be taken prior to enrollment in the concurrent degree program.

See Graduate Admissions for information on how to apply to the concurrent degree programs.