Graduate Programs
Master of Landscape Architecture
USC offers an international laboratory for the study of place in an
extraordinary natural landscape, at the center of an unparalleled
multicultural region, within the context of a great urban university.
Thus, the study of landscape architecture at USC has a particular focus on
urban place-making in relation to three principles.
First, the programs are intended for students who already have earned a
first degree or the equivalent in landscape architecture or architecture,
as well as students entering design studies after obtaining a degree in
another field. The emphasis is on advanced study based on the knowledge and skills to engage complex issues and to
undertake ambitious explorations. Graduates are prepared for leadership
opportunities in professional practice as well as in higher education.
A second emphasis is on urban landscapes, and on the responsibility of
design professions to create the qualities and meanings of our urban
futures and to make critical contributions to the reclamation of degraded
natural systems and places.
Third, place-making is a collaborative responsibility that requires
leadership from professionals across the entire domain of planning and
design. This requires seamless relationships between programs, students
and faculty engaged in architecture, landscape architecture, preservation,
building science and planning studies.
Admission with No Previous Professional Education (+3)
Individuals who have completed a four-year bachelor of arts or bachelor of
science degree, or its equivalent, with no prior degree in landscape
architecture, architecture or environmental design, are eligible for
admission to the program. Preference for admission is given to those who
have completed a balanced undergraduate education that includes study in
the arts, sciences and humanities. Applicants must document successful
completion of a college-level course in the natural sciences. Preparation
in the visual arts is strongly encouraged. A minimum of a one-semester,
college-level course in the visual arts, such as drawing, sculpture,
graphics and/or basic design, is required before beginning the first
semester of study. Courses in the humanities, ecology, history of art,
landscape architecture and architecture are strongly encouraged, although
not required.
96-Unit Curriculum +3
Students admitted with no previous professional education must complete 96
units, including 62 units of specified courses, 24 units of electives of
which a minimum of 16 must be from the School of Architecture, and 10
units of Thesis Option I or II. Electives must be part of a curricular
plan approved by the program director.
Sample Curriculum +3 (for students with no previous professional
education)
| Year One, Semester One | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 534 | Landscape
Intervention: Construction Methods | 3 |
| ARCH 537 | Urban Plan
Ecology | 3 |
| ARCH 539L | Media for
Landscape Architecture | 2 |
| ARCH 541aL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 565 | Global
History of Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| | 17 |
| Year One, Semester Two | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 535 | Landscape
Reclamation: Construction Materials | 3 |
| ARCH 538 | Urban Plant
Ecology: California Plant Communities | 3 |
| ARCH 541bL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| Electives | 3 |
| | 15 |
| Year Two, Semester One | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 531 | The Natural
Landscape | 3 |
| ARCH 532 | Elements
of the Urban Landscape | 2 |
| ARCH 542aL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 543 | Research
Methods | 1 |
| ARCH 561 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and
Places | 2 |
| Electives | 2 |
| | 16 |
| Year Two, Semester Two | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 533 | Urban
Landscape Case Studies | 2 |
| ARCH 542bL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 563 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative
Theories | 2 |
| Electives | 6 |
| | 16 |
| Year Three, Semester One | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 530 | Landscape
Architecture Practice | 3 |
| ARCH 642L | Landscape
Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 697aL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option II,or |
| ARCH 698aL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option I | 2 |
| Electives | 5 |
| | 16 |
| Year Three, Semester Two | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 697bL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option II, or |
| ARCH 698bL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option I | 8 |
| Electives | 8 |
| | 16 |
Admission with Advanced Placement (+2)
Applicants who have completed a non-accredited, pre-professional
undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture or
environmental design may be granted advanced placement of one or two
semesters, subject to the review of the admission committee. Applicants
granted advanced placement may be able to waive certain course
requirements for the M.L.A. program by demonstrating equivalencies in any
of the required courses. The program director and faculty in charge of the
specific curriculum areas will determine the studio and professional
course requirements for each M.L.A. student admitted with advanced
placement. The following courses are prerequisites to be completed prior
to matriculation or, on specific notice, in the first year of the program:
history of landscape architecture (ARCH 565 or equivalent), landscape
architecture construction (ARCH 534, ARCH 535 or equivalent), plant
materials (ARCH 537, ARCH 538 or equivalent).
64-Unit Curriculum +2
Advanced placement students must complete 64 units, including 36 units of
specified courses, 18 units of electives of which a minimum of 12 must be
from the School of Architecture, and 10 units of Thesis Option I or II.
Electives must be part of a curricular plan approved by the program
director.
Sample Curriculum +2 (for advanced placement students admitted with
pre-professional design degrees)
| Year One, Semester One | |
|---|
| ARCH 532 | Elements
of the Urban Landscape | 2 |
| ARCH 542aL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 543 | Research
Methods | 1 |
| ARCH 561 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and
Places | 2 |
| ARCH 565 | Global
History of Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| Electives | 2 |
| | 16 |
| Year One, Semester Two | |
|---|
| ARCH 533 | Urban
Landscape Case Studies | 2 |
| ARCH 542bL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 563 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative
Theories | 2 |
| Electives | 6 |
| | 16 |
| Year Two, Semester One | |
|---|
| ARCH 530 | Landscape
Architecture Practice | 3 |
| ARCH 531 | The Natural
Landscape 3 ARCH 642L Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 697aL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option II, or |
| ARCH 698aL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option I | 2 |
| Electives | 4 |
| | 16 |
| Year Two, Semester Two | |
|---|
| ARCH 697bL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option II, or |
| ARCH 698bL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option I | 8 |
| Electives | 8 |
| | 16 |
Admission with a First Professional Degree in Landscape
Architecture: Advanced Standing (+1.5)
Students who hold an accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree
or the equivalent may be granted advanced standing in a post-professional
48-unit, three-semester sequence of studies.
48-Unit Curriculum +1.5
Advanced standing students must complete 48 units, including 21 units of
specified courses, 17 units of electives of which a minimum of 10 must be
from the School of Architecture, and 10 units of Thesis Option I or II.
Electives must be part of a curricular plan approved by the program
director.
Sample Curriculum +1.5 (for advanced standing students admitted
with a first professional degree in landscape architecture)
| Year One, Semester One | |
|---|
| ARCH 532 | Elements
of the Urban Landscape | 2 |
| ARCH 542aL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 543 | Research
Methods | 1 |
| ARCH 561 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Projects and
Places | 2 |
| Electives | 5 |
| | 16 |
| Year One, Semester Two | |
|---|
| ARCH 533 | Urban
Landscape Case Studies | 2 |
| ARCH 542bL |
Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 563 | Architecture in the Urban Landscape: Comparative
Theories | 2 |
| ARCH 697aL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option II, or |
| ARCH 698aL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option I | 2 |
| Electives | 4 |
| | 16 |
| Year Two, Semester One | |
|---|
| ARCH 697bL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option II, or |
| ARCH 698bL | M.L.Arch
Thesis, Option I | 8 |
| Electives | 8 |
| | 16 |
Sample Elective Courses
| Electives | Units |
|---|
| ARCH 404 | Topics in
Modern Architecture in Southern California | 3 |
| ARCH 407 | Advanced
Computer Applications | 4 |
| ARCH 440 | Literature
and the Urban Experience | 4 |
| ARCH 507 | Theories
of Computer Technology | 3 |
| ARCH 524 |
Professional Practicum | 1,
max 2 |
| ARCH 540L | Topics in
Media for Landscape Architecture | 2, max 4 |
| ARCH 549 |
Fundamentals of Historic Preservation | 4 |
| ARCH 550 | Historic
Preservation Management: Planning and Development | 4 |
| ARCH 552 |
Introduction to Historic Site Documentation | 2 |
| ARCH 553 | History of
American Architecture and Urbanism | 4 |
| ARCH 566 | Cross-Cultural Topics in Landscape Architecture History
| 3, max 6 |
| ENST 501 | Environmental Science I | 2 |
| ENST 503 | Environmental Science II | 2 |
| GEOG 410 | Urban
Geography | 4 |
| GEOG 477 | Water
Resources | 4 |
| GEOG 601 | Sustainable
Cities | 4 |
| GEOG 615 | Natural Spaces in Urban Places | 4 |
Thesis or Directed Research Option
In addition to the opportunity to initiate an independent written thesis,
students are provided the option to undertake independent design research
on important urban issues and projects already in progress within the
School of Architecture. Whichever option is taken, students are supported
in their work by a three-member faculty advisory team including a
principal critic.
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