Landscape Architecture

Program Overview

The professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree, for students new to the discipline, uses intensive studio-based courses to address the design challenges facing urban landscapes today. Complementary lecture and seminar courses in history, theory, technology, and environmental studies provide comprehensive professional training and serve as a forum to examine landscape architecture’s synthetic role in design and planning at scales ranging from the garden to the region.

After a four-session core curriculum, students develop independent research directions that culminate in the final term’s thesis studio. The program’s goal is to develop progressive models for landscape architecture practice: we encourage work that explores and extends the discipline’s ties to the humanities, environmental and social sciences, and engineering.

Quick Facts

Master of Landscape Architecture

Program Description

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is a professional program that focuses on urban and regional landscape architecture within a studio-based curriculum. Integrated courses in design; visual communication and modelling; history, theory, and criticism; site engineering and material technologies; horticulture, ecology, hydrology; professional practice and research methods seminars, as well as options for electives, provide a comprehensive professional education in landscape architecture. The program prepares students with a strong base in the fundamentals of the profession, while fostering innovative thinkers able to work collaboratively with allied disciplines, in preparation for becoming the next generation of leaders in landscape architecture.

MLA Program (3-Year Option)

The 3-year option within the MLA program is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council. Graduates are eligible to begin the process of professional licensure to become a Landscape Architect in North America. The qualification is also transferable to many other countries and regions; students are advised to inquire with their local licensing body.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A bachelor's degree (such as BA, BSc, BASc, BES, BFA, BCom) with a minimum average of mid-B.

• Some preparation or experience in architectural design or the creative arts is encouraged, but not required, such as hand or digital drawing, film or animation, graphic design, or sculpture. This program is suitable for those without formal training in design or the arts; graduates of any discipline are encouraged to apply.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

• Students study full-time, taking all required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a B– grade in two studio courses or in any three courses normally results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.

• There is no additional language requirement other than proficiency in English on admission. Writing support is integrated into the program to develop specialized skills that are essential to effective learning and communication in the design fields.

• Progress in the program is dependent upon satisfactory completion of studio and required core courses in sequence. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Program Director, and in consultation with the Office of the Registrar and Student Services in the case of accessibility.

• Coursework. Students must complete a total of 15.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 14.5 FCEs in core courses:

    • 4.0 FCEs: Design Studio

    • 1.0 FCE: Design Studio Options

    • 1.5 FCEs: Design Studio Thesis

    • 2.0 FCEs: Visual Communication

    • 2.0 FCEs: History, Theory, Criticism

    • 1.5 FCEs: Technology

    • 1.5 FCEs: Environment

    • 1.0 FCE: Professional Practice and Research Methods

  • 1.0 elective FCE.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/F/W/F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

MLA Program (2-Year: Second-Year Advanced-Standing Option)

The 2-year option within the MLA program is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council. Graduates are eligible to begin the process of professional licensure to become a Landscape Architect in North America. The qualification is also transferable to many other countries and regions; students are advised to inquire with their local licensing body.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, architecture, architectural studies, or environmental design, or a comparable degree focusing on the design of landscapes and the built environment.

• Admission is based on the merits of the applicant's overall academic background and strength of design portfolio as evaluated by the admissions committee.

• Admission to the advanced-standing option depends upon the student's previous coursework exempting them Year 1 of the MLA curriculum. If the student's coursework does not satisfy the Year 1 requirements, they may be considered for the 3-year option.

• Minimum previous completion of three design studio courses, two courses in digital visual representation (including Rhinoceros, Illustrator, Laser Cutting), two courses in landscape architecture history and theory (one in 20th-century), and two courses in landscape architecture site engineering (i.e., site grading) and planting design, horticulture, urban ecology, or forest ecology.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

• Students study full-time, taking all required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a B– grade in two studio courses or in any three courses normally results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.

• There is no additional language requirement other than proficiency in English on admission. Writing support is integrated into the program to develop specialized skills that are essential to effective learning and communication in the design fields.

• Progress in the program is dependent upon satisfactory completion of studio and required core courses in sequence. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Program Director, and in consultation with the Office of the Registrar and Student Services in the case of accessibility.

• Coursework. Students must complete a total of 10.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 9.5 FCEs in core courses as follows:

    • 2.0 FCEs: Design Studio

    • 1.0 FCE: Design Studio Options

    • 1.5 FCEs: Design Studio Thesis

    • 1.0 FCE: Visual Communication

    • 0.5 FCE: History, Theory, Criticism

    • 1.0 FCE: Technology

    • 1.5 FCEs: Environment

    • 1.0 FCE: Professional Practice and Research Methods

  • 1.0 elective FCE.

Program Length

4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

MLA Program (1-Year: Post-Professional Advanced-Standing Option)

The 1-year option within the MLA program is ideal for those who wish to undertake a graduate-level, academic research project, independent of the pathway to professional licensure. Those who wish to become a licensed Landscape Architect should consider the 2- or 3-year program options above.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A post-professional advanced-standing option is available for students who are interested in pursuing advanced study beyond their professional degree.

• Applicants must have completed all requirements for an accredited professional degree in landscape from a recognized university.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

• The post-professional advanced-standing option does not grant a professionally accredited degree.

Program Requirements

• Students study full-time, taking all required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a B– grade in two studio courses or in any three courses normally results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.

• There is no additional language requirement other than proficiency in English on admission. Writing support is integrated into the program to develop specialized skills that are essential to effective learning and communication in the design fields.

• Progress in the program is dependent upon satisfactory completion of studio and required core courses in sequence. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Program Director, and in consultation with the Office of the Registrar and Student Services in the case of accessibility.

• Each student’s program of study must receive the approval of the Program Director and, in general, shall consist of a research or design project on which a thesis must be submitted. Faculty members have research expertise in the following areas of interest, which students may pursue: Computation and Fabrication; Health and Society; and Sustainability and Environment.

• Coursework. Students must complete a total of 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 4.0 FCEs in core courses:

    • 0.5 FCE: ALA4010H Field Course

    • 0.5 FCE: ALA4020H Thesis Preparation

    • 1.0 FCE: ALA4021Y Thesis I

    • 1.5 FCE: ALA4022Y Thesis II

    • 0.5 FCE: ALA4030H Colloquium

  • 2.0 elective FCEs, of which 1.0 FCE must be in the student's area of interest.

Program Length

2 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time