Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning, MLA
The Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning offers two primary courses of study leading to a professionally accredited Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree. The first professional degree program is three years in length and is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape architecture or architecture. The second professional degree is two years in length and is designed for those who already hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in either landscape architecture or architecture. Students may be admitted with advanced standing into either of these programs depending upon their respective backgrounds. Dual degree programs with Architecture (MLA/MARCH), City Planning (MLA/MCP), Historic Preservation (MLA/MSHP), Urban Spatial Analytics (MLA/MUSA), or Fine Arts (MLA/MFA) are also available. The Master of Landscape Architecture degree may be combined with Weitzman School of Design certificate programs, such as the Urban Design Certificate. The Department also offers a Certificate in Landscape Studies, designed for students who may wish to augment or focus their prior work through research into landscape topics.
For more information: https://www.design.upenn.edu/landscape-architecture/work
Curriculum
MLA: First Professional Degree
A total of 28 course units are required for graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| LARP 7890 | LARP Summer Institute: Lineages of Contemporary Landscape for 3-Year Students | 0 |
| LARP 7900 | LARP Summer Institute: Natural Systems (3-year Students) | 0 |
| LARP 7910 | LARP Summer Institute: Landscape Operations (3-year Students) | 0 |
| LARP 7920 | LARP Summer Institute: Introduction to Digital Media (3-year Students) | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| LARP 5010 | Studio I | 2 |
| LARP 5110 | Workshop I: Ecology and Built Landscapes | 1 |
| LARP 5350 | Theory I: Histories and Theories of Landscape and Environment | 1 |
| LARP 5330 | Media I: Drawing and Visualization | 1 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARP 5020 | Studio II | 2 |
| LARP 5120 | Workshop II: Landform and Planting Design | 1 |
| LARP 5400 | Theory II: The Culture of Nature | 1 |
| LARP 5420 | Media II: Fundamentals of 3D Modeling | 1 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LARP 6010 | Studio III | 2 |
| LARP 6110 | Workshop III: Site Engineering and Water Management | 1 |
| LARP 5430 | Media III: Landscape and Digital Dynamics | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARP 6020 | Studio IV | 2 |
| LARP 7610 | Urban Ecology | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LARP 7010 | Studio V | 2 |
| LARP 6120 | Workshop IV: Advanced Landscape Construction | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARP 7020 | Studio VI | 2 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 28.00 | |
MLA: Second Professional Degree
A total of 19 course units are required for graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| LARP 7930 | LARP Summer Institute: Landform and Grading Workshop (2-Year Students) | 0 |
| LARP 7940 | LARP Summer Institute: Natural Systems (2-year students) | 0 |
| LARP 7950 | LARP Summer Institute: Computing Introduction (2-year Students) | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| LARP 6010 | Studio III | 2 |
| LARP 5120 | Workshop II: Landform and Planting Design (Plants Audit Sessions) 1 | Audit |
| LARP 6110 | Workshop III: Site Engineering and Water Management | 1 |
| LARP 5430 | Media III: Landscape and Digital Dynamics | 1 |
| LARP 5350 | Theory I: Histories and Theories of Landscape and Environment | 1 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARP 6020 | Studio IV | 2 |
| LARP 5120 | Workshop II: Landform and Planting Design (Optional Spring Field Ecology Week) | Audit |
| LARP 5400 | Theory II: The Culture of Nature | 1 |
| LARP 7610 | Urban Ecology | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LARP 7010 | Studio V | 2 |
| LARP 6120 | Workshop IV: Advanced Landscape Construction | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARP 7020 | Studio VI | 2 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
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All students entering with a Bachelor of Architecture degree are required to audit LARP 5120 Plants Audit Sessions.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.