RISD School of Landscape Architecture
CurriculumCoursesFacultyTechnologyStudio WorksStudentsLectures ExhibitsResearch and Travels

Three-year MLA Program:

• Before First Year

• First Year

• Second Year

• Third Year

Notes

 

Two-year MLA Program:

• Before First Year

• First Year

• Second Year

Notes
 
 

MLA Curriculum in Landcape Architecture, 2005-2006
Division of Architecture + Design

Landscape Architecture offers two paths to the MLA degree: a three-year program (MLA-I) for those with other undergraduate degrees and a two-year program (MLA-II) for those with an accredited pre-professional degree. Students in the MLA I program fulfill two academic years of core studios and required courses with option studios and individual thesis study in their final year. The MLA II program allows for advanced students to design their studio and course curriculum around a focus of interest after their first semester. (Advanced placement, through the waiving of certain departmental requirements, is available for those with a degree in architecture.)
 
Three-year MLA Program: before first year Summer

Design Foundations/Field Ecology

 6

Three-year MLA Program: first year Fall Winter Spring

Design Principles

6

–

–

Ecology, Site + Design Studio

–

–

6

Technology + Materials I (Materials + Grading)

3

–

–

Ecological Planning + Design

–

–

3

Representation I and II

3

–

3

Issues in Landscape History

–

–

3

History of Landscape Architecture

3

–

–

Wintersession
    Graduate Studio: Making/Meaning and
    Graduate Seminar: Context/Mapping

–

6

–

credit total

15

6

15
Three-year MLA Program: second year Fall Winter Spring

Constructed Landscape Studio

6

–

–

Plant Materials

3

–

–

Technology + Materials II (Site Engineering)

3

–

–

Theory I

3

–

–

Plants and Design

–

–

3

Urban System Studio

–

–

6

Issues in Planning + Cultural Geography

–

–

3

Elective1

–

–

3

Wintersession2

–

6

–

credit total

15

6

15
Three-year MLA Program: third year Fall Winter Spring

Innovation 21 Studio or Advanced Design Elective Studio3

6

–

–

Technology + Materials III (Advanced Construction)

3

–

–

Theory II

3

–

–

Principles of Professional Practice

–

–

3

Graduate Thesis4

–

–

9

Elective1

3

–

3

Wintersession2

–

3

–

credit total

15

3

15

NOTES
All MLA students have a portfolio and performance reviews at the end of each year by a panel of Landscape Architecture faculty. This review will be used to determine eligibility to continue in the program.

MLA students who finish the fall semester of their final year of study on academic probation or with a GPA below 3.0 will not be allowed to proceed into Thesis. (Note that Thesis is a requirement for graduation from the MLA program).

1Highly recommended electives: LDAR 224G, Environmental Ethics or LDAR 231G, Topics in Representation

2Wintersession options include: Electives or a computer workshop or (W203) Edinburgh Studio.

3One 22ST “Advanced Studio” is required which may be in an allied department: Architecture (21ST), Interior Architecture (23ST) or Industrial Design (24ST) or in Fine Arts, if space is available.

4At the end of the Spring term of the second year, there is a required Thesis Preparation Workshop (two meetings, no credit).

Students entering the Department of Landscape Architecture must participate in its required laptop program, purchasing hardware, software, upgrades and insurance, as specified in the Department’s “Laptop Program Requirements and Policy Guidelines.”

 
Two-year MLA Program: before first year Summer

Design Foundations/Field Ecology

 6
Two-year MLA Program: first year Fall Winter Spring

Design Principles

6

–

–

Theory I

3

–

–

Urban Systems Studio

–

–

6

Seminar: Issues in Planning + Cultural Geography

–

–

3

Electives or Independent Study

6

–

6

Wintersession1

–

3/6

–

credit total

15

3/6

15
Two-year MLA Program: second year Fall Winter Spring

Visiting Critic Elective Studio
    or Innovation 21 Studio

6

–

–

Theory II

3

–

–

Environmental Ethics

–

–

3

Graduate Thesis2

–

–

9

Electives3

6

–

3

Wintersession4

–

3

–

credit total

15

3

15

NOTES

1Wintersession choices: Elective or a computer workshop or (W203) Edinburgh Studio.

2At the end of the Spring term of the first year, there is a required Thesis Preparation Workshop(two meetings, no credit).

3Choices include LDAR*231G Topics in Representation, Independent Study or other electives chosen with your advisor.

4Wintersession choices: Elective or a computer workshop or Internship.

All MLA students will have a portfolio and performance review at the end of each year by a panel of Landscape Architecture faculty. This review will be used to determine eligibility to continue in the program.

MLA students who finish the fall semester of their final year of study on academic probation or with a GPA below 3.0 will not be allowed to proceed into Thesis. (Note that Thesis is a requirement for graduation from the MLA program.)

Students entering the Department of Landscape Architecture must participate in its required laptop program, purchasing hardware, software, upgrades and insurance, as specified in the Department’s “Laptop Program Requirements and Policy Guidelines.”