Landscape Architecture MLArch

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About the Program

The Master of Landscape Architecture has an emphasis in ecological landscape restoration. Program objectives are to educate students to become capable practitioners with knowledge of a specialty area of the discipline; to educate practitioners who are trained to think critically and creatively about each ecological situation; and to develop a body of knowledge through research, long-term monitoring of restored landscapes, and comparison of methods upon which current and future professionals can draw.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) describes landscape architecture as a profession encompassing “the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments.” Landscape architecture is a professional discipline focused on the promotion of environmental balance and human well-being through sustainable design. Ecological landscape restoration, the emphasis of this MLArch degree, has emerged as a critical dimension of landscape architecture over the past few decades. Landscape restoration increases local and regional biodiversity and mitigates potentially dangerous consequences of degradation through projects such as stream bank stabilization, created wetlands to help infiltrate stormwater, mine reclamation, industrial brownfield remediation, and reforestation of urban land. Understanding the ecological processes and natural history that constitute a site is fundamental to the design process.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 6 years

Campus Location: Temple University Ambler, with some courses offered at the Main and Center City campuses. The Master of Landscape Architecture program has access to the Ambler Arboretum at Temple University and the Temple University Field Station at Ambler. Faculty and students use these resources in coursework and research. For more information, see https://ambler.temple.edu/arboretum and https://ambler.temple.edu/fieldstation.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Interdisciplinary Study: The program is interdisciplinary and allows students to enroll in classes from allied disciplines. In addition to the courses in Landscape Architecture, the program builds on the field courses in Horticulture related to the woodland and riparian habitats at the Ambler campus. The program can also draw from the repository of local ecological landscape restoration examples and practitioners in the Philadelphia region.

Affiliation(s): The program is affiliated with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA), and the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).

Accreditation: The Department of Architecture and Environmental Design offers two accredited programs in Landscape Architecture. The first professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLArch) degree and the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BS) are both accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Areas of Specialization: The focus of the MLArch degree program is ecological landscape restoration, which emphasizes understanding of ecological processes and plant communities. This understanding is applied in a sequence of design studios. The design application results in connecting theory and scientific principles to creative application in the natural setting. The program educates practitioners skilled at designing beautiful landscapes that are also ecologically appropriate to their locale.

Job Prospects: Prepared with the knowledge to make informed and creative environmental design decisions, graduates are highly marketable and have the skills required of professional landscape architects, including design, computer graphics, horticultural knowledge, technical competence and knowledge of restoration. According to Projections Central, which uses Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual State Employment Projections data, the job outlook between 2018 and 2028 is expected to grow in Pennsylvania by 4.8%, in New Jersey by 7.7%, in Maryland by 6.8%, and in New York State by 10.4%. Temple University's location in this region supports professional opportunities for graduates. This area has a very high concentration of prominent landscape architecture firms, public agencies and ecological restoration professionals.

Licensure/Certification: Licensure in Landscape Architecture is required to use the title “landscape architect” in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Licensure for landscape architects is state regulated and must be obtained through achievement of three necessary components: (a) education, (b) professional practice experience, and (c) examination requirements. To obtain licensure, all states require candidates to pass the Landscape Architectural Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.), which is administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). Additionally, a majority of states require a degree that is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). Temple University’s Master of Landscape Architecture is accredited by LAAB and prepares students to sit for the four-part computerized L.A.R.E.

Additional requirements (such as exams, questionnaires or training) may be required based on the individual requirements of the state in which one intends to become licensed. For more information, visit https://www.asla.org/StateGovtAffairsLicensure.aspx.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: A maximum of 9 graduate credits can be taken at Temple University prior to applying to the program.

Financing Opportunities: Inquiries about funding should be directed to the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 6
Spring: November 1

Applications are reviewed as they are received up through the deadline. Applicants must meet the January 6 priority deadline to be considered for financial assistance. After January 6, applications may be considered on a rolling basis. See the Tyler School of Art and Architecture website for the most up-to-date application information.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members, employers and others who can evaluate the applicant's past work and/or ability to do graduate work. The letters should be submitted with the application at https://apply.temple.edu/Tyler/, along with the statement of goals.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: All applicants apply directly to the MLArch program, not to a specific curricular track. Admitted students are placed in the appropriate track based on a thorough review of all application materials.

For students who have an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture, this program is a 44-credit post-professional degree. The program is also open to students without a degree in Landscape Architecture, but students without the appropriate prerequisite coursework need a maximum of 26 additional credits.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University. Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, must be sent to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Graduate Admissions Office, 2001 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6016.

Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, share your reason for pursuing an advanced degree in Landscape Architecture, your interest in Temple's program in particular, and your aspirations and future career goals.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE/GMAT: Due to testing limitations related to COVID-19, Tyler School of Art and Architecture is temporarily waiving submission of GRE scores for applicants to the MLArch in Landscape Architecture degree program. Applicants may still voluntarily submit GRE test scores, but scores will only be used as a supplement to required application materials. All other admission requirements, including submission of scores for a standardized test of English, if applicable, still need to be met. In some circumstances, the Graduate Admissions Committee may request additional supplemental application materials or an interview as part of the admissions process.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 79
IELTS Academic: 6.5
PTE Academic: 53

Portfolio: Applicants have the option of submitting a portfolio. Portfolios from students with prior academic experience in Landscape Architecture should include design work done in academic settings. Portfolios may also include work in the visual arts or in visual communication. In addition, work completed in practice may be included but should clearly articulate the applicant’s role in the project. Papers, research or other materials (preferably dealing with the built environment) are invited as evidence of scholarly, academic or creative work. Work chosen for inclusion in a portfolio should best represent the applicant's knowledge, aptitudes, interests, creative ability and experience relative to the discipline of Landscape Architecture. The portfolio may include up to 20 images or other items.

Portfolios are to be uploaded at https://temple.slideroom.com, as instructed on the website. SlideRoom requires an additional fee for this service. Original work, slides, CD-ROMs, catalogs, photographs, books and/or binders are not acceptable substitutes for the SlideRoom portfolio and will not be reviewed or returned.

Resume: Current resume required.

Transfer Credit: The Landscape Architecture Programs Curricular Coordinator recommends the awarding of transfer credits on a case-by-case basis as applications are reviewed. The student may not receive transfer credit for coursework taken as part of any other awarded graduate degree. The maximum number of transfer credits a student may receive is 9.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 44 for students with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture seeking a post-professional degree; 44-70 for students without an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture seeking a first professional degree

Required Courses:

Post-Professional Degree (for students WITH an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture)

Year 1
Summer I		Credit Hours
LARC 8789	Landscape Restoration Workshop	3
	Term Credit Hours	3
Fall
WOODLANDS
LARC 5551	Landscape Architecture Computer Technology II	3
LARC 8151	Woodland Design Studio¹	4
LARC 8351	Aesthetics of Ecological Design Seminar¹	1
LARC 8751	Northeastern Woodland Ecosystems¹	3
	Term Credit Hours	11
Spring
WETLANDS
LARC 8152	Wetland/Riparian Design Studio²	4
LARC 8552	Research Design Methods	3
LARC 8752	Wetland Ecology²	3
Elective³		3
	Term Credit Hours	13
Year 2
Fall
PUBLIC LANDS
LARC 8153	Public Lands Design Studio	4
LARC 8355	Capstone Seminar	1
LARC 8755	Native Plant Communities	3
LARC 8889	Invasive Species Management and Restoration Monitoring	3
	Term Credit Hours	11
Spring
LARC 9995	Capstone Restoration Design Project	3
Elective³		3
	Term Credit Hours	6
	Total Credit Hours:	44

These three courses (8 credits) are co-requisites and must be taken together.

These two courses (7 credits) are co-requisites and must be taken together.

Students working toward the post-professional degree select two 3-credit electives in consultation with a Landscape Architecture advisor.

First Professional Degree (for students WITHOUT an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture)

Year 1
Fall		Credit Hours
PREREQUISITES
HORT 8261	Native Woody Plant Identification	3
LARC 8141	Design Communications/Introductory Design Studio I	4
LARC 8241	Landscape Engineering I	3
LARC 8496	Landscape Traditions	3
	Term Credit Hours	13
Spring
PREREQUISITES
HORT 8514	Landscape Restoration	3
LARC 5544	Landscape Architecture Computer Technology I	3
LARC 8144	Landscape Design Studio II	4
LARC 8242	Landscape Engineering II	3
	Term Credit Hours	13
Summer
LARC 8789	Landscape Restoration Workshop	3
	Term Credit Hours	3
Year 2
Fall
WOODLANDS
LARC 5551	Landscape Architecture Computer Technology II	3
LARC 8151	Woodland Design Studio¹	4
LARC 8351	Aesthetics of Ecological Design Seminar¹	1
LARC 8751	Northeastern Woodland Ecosystems¹	3
	Term Credit Hours	11
Spring
WETLANDS
LARC 8152	Wetland/Riparian Design Studio²	4
LARC 8552	Research Design Methods	3
LARC 8752	Wetland Ecology²	3
Elective³		3
	Term Credit Hours	13
Year 3
Fall
PUBLIC LANDS
LARC 8153	Public Lands Design Studio	4
LARC 8355	Capstone Seminar	1
LARC 8755	Native Plant Communities	3
LARC 8889	Invasive Species Management and Restoration Monitoring	3
	Term Credit Hours	11
Spring
LARC 8644	Professional Practice	3
LARC 9995	Capstone Restoration Design Project	3
	Term Credit Hours	6
	Total Credit Hours:	70

These three courses (8 credits) are co-requisites and must be taken together.

These two courses (7 credits) are co-requisites and must be taken together.

Students working toward the first professional degree select one 3-credit elective in consultation with a Landscape Architecture advisor.

Internship: All students work with a local or regional client as part of the Capstone Course (LARC 9995 Capstone Restoration Design Project).

Culminating Events:
Capstone Course:
All students must complete LARC 9995 Capstone Restoration Design Project, which involves undertaking a project in cooperation with a local or regional client. Students synthesize the knowledge gained from previous courses in developing an integrated approach appropriate to their project.