LAND:MLA - Master of Landscape Architecture

Three-Year Path

The Three-Year Path (MLA3) is a professional degree for individuals with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science or equivalent, from an accredited institution.

Two-Year Path

The Two-Year Path (MLA2) is a first professional degree for individuals with an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture or architecture from an accredited program, or with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in landscape architecture or architecture. Admission to the two-year path is contingent upon review of applicant’s portfolio and transcripts by department faculty to determine that applicants have demonstrated the knowledge and skills equivalent to students who have completed the first year of the MLA3.

Admissions Requirements for the Master in Landscape Architecture (MLA)

All applicants must meet University graduate admissions requirements. Applicants must also submit a portfolio for departmental review that demonstrates the candidate’s creative aptitudes. The design portfolio is evaluated based on a candidate’s demonstrated sense of composition, attention to detail, graphic communication skills, expressive quality, and sense of space, accuracy, and observation.

Design portfolios may include two-dimensional storyboards (a sequence of still images that show a story), computer printouts, digital images, and photographs of three-dimensional models/projects.

Digital design portfolios should be formatted to fit on 8.5” x 11” pages within a single, multi-page PDF file. Please refer to the departmental website for submission details.

Portfolios submitted after the Application Deadline will be considered if studio space is available.

Students who have successfully completed the portfolio review process must also meet the minimum requirements of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution to be fully admitted into the graduate program. When the academic record is less than 3.0 GPA, the applicant must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Check the department website for updated application deadlines: http://carta.fiu.edu/landscape/academics/graduate/admissions/

Additional Information for Applicants

Students applying to the LAEUD should plan for the financial aspects of a design education.  This includes the costs of computer hardware, software, travel and field trips, tools and equipment, drawing and modeling supplies. All students must have continued access to a laptop computer by purchasing, leasing, or other arrangements.  For further information contact any of the School of Architecture Advisors.

Awards and Scholarships

The following scholarships and awards are presented yearly to students fully admitted to the Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their studies per the criteria noted.

The Savino & Miller Design Studio Diversity + Inclusion Landscape Architecture Endowed Scholarship. The fund advances the College’s academic mission by supporting scholarships for students majoring in landscape architecture. The scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in or accepted for admission to the University who are majoring in landscape architecture. Recipients will be chosen principally based on academic performance by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher with the intention of encouraging future Black/African American practitioners with financial need to apply. 

The Ernest and Virginia Makemson Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund. This fund provides support for students who have demonstrated interest and experience in restoring and preserving Florida’s natural and cultural environment through the practice of landscape architecture.

The Latin American and Caribbean Graduate Fellowship Program scholarship which promotes international education and research between FIU and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and is overseen by the University Graduate School. Students must be a resident of Latin America or the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), fully admitted to a graduate degree, in good academic standing with an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or better, and enrolled full-time.

American Society of Landscape Architects Student Honor and Merit Awards. On nomination by the Program faculty, the American Society of Landscape Architects awards these to the students who have demonstrated a high degree of academic scholarship and of accomplishments in skills related to the art and technology of landscape architecture.

The Olmsted Scholar Award. On nomination by the Program faculty, the Landscape Architecture Foundation recognizes one student from the program based on their past achievements and their future potential to influence the landscape architecture discipline.

The ARCC King Student Medal. Named in honor of the late Jonathan King, this award is given to one student in the FIU School of Architecture and is based upon criteria established by the Architectural Research Centers Consortium that acknowledge innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research.

Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society. Each year, upon nomination by the Program faculty, the Alpha Chi Chapter of the Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society inducts the outstanding students in the Program.

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Landscape Architecture 4+2 Pathway

This program is different from the Accelerated MLA for freshmen students found in its own catalog section. This offering is for students in any undergraduate program who plan to complete that degree. These undergraduate students' degree must include space for 12 elective credits to be eligible for the 4+2 degree pathway. Students will apply to the MLA program during their third year of undergraduate studies, after successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits. The undergraduate degree program advisor must confirm that these Landscape Architecture courses will count towards graduation and not result in excess credits.

Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 to be admitted into the 4+2 degree pathway.

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) provides professional degree paths within a rigorous academic framework intended for individuals with or without pre-professional degrees in landscape architecture. The MLA is structured into two paths, the Three-Year Path (MLA3) and the Two-Year Path (MLA2). Both are fully accredited by The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), an autonomous committee of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Ownership of Student Work

Student work submitted to the department in satisfaction of course or degree requirements becomes the physical property of the department. However, students retain all rights to the intellectual property of such work. This work may include papers, drawings, models, or other materials. The department assumes no responsibility for safeguarding such materials and at its discretion may retain, return, or discard such materials. Students must petition the department in writing for any deviation from these established policies.

Progression Requirements

No grade below a ‘C’ will be accepted for graduation in required courses or required electives.

Study Abroad

Study abroad is an important component of an MLA education. Our study abroad center is in Genoa, Italy, and is ideally situated in the historic center of the city in a renovated former convent dating from the 13th century. During the semester abroad option in Italy, students are afforded the opportunity to study artistic, architectural, landscape and interior spaces and artifacts that have long been acknowledged for their exceptional and enduring value. Other travel options are also available for shorter durations and vary by year, but have historically included travel to Spain, France, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Japan. Departmental approval is required for participation.

Thesis Requirement

Graduate students are required to undertake a Master’s Project or a Master’s Thesis as part of their course of study at the Landscape Architecture + Environmental & Urban Design department. Selection of Master’s Thesis requires departmental approval.

There are no majors associated with this program.