School of Architecture
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 truly 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, heritage conservation, 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 68 units of specified courses, 18 units of electives of which a minimum of 14 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 537L | Urban Plant Ecology: Environmental Perspectives | 4 |
| ARCH 539L | Media for Landscape Architecture | 2 |
| ARCH 541aL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 565 | Global History of Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| 15 | ||
| Year One, Semester Two | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 534 | Landscape Construction: Topographic Design | 3 |
| ARCH 538L | Urban Plant Ecology: Cultural Perspectives | 4 |
| ARCH 541bL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 548 | Media for Landscape Architecture: 3D Design | 3 |
| Electives | 1 | |
| 17 | ||
| Year Two, Semester One | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 531 | The Natural Landscape | 3 |
| ARCH 535 | Landscape Construction: Performance Approaches | 3 |
| ARCH 542aL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 543 | Research Methods | 1 |
| ARCH 544 | Urban Landscape: Process and Place | 3 |
| 16 | ||
| Year Two, Semester Two | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 542bL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 545 | Urban Landscape: Contemporary History and Prospect | 3 |
| ARCH 635 | Landscape Construction: Assembly and Documentation | 3 |
| Electives | 4 | |
| 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 MLA 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 MLA 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 537L, ARCH 538L or equivalent), media (ARCH 548 or equivalent).
64-Unit Curriculum +2
Advanced placement students must complete 64 units, including 37 units of specified courses, 17 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 | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 542aL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 543 | Research Methods | 1 |
| ARCH 544 | Urban Landscape: Process and Place | 3 |
| ARCH 565 | Global History of Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| 16 | ||
| Year One, Semester Two | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 542bL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 545 | Urban Landscape: Contemporary History and Prospect | 3 |
| ARCH 548 | Media for Landscape Architecture: 3D Design | 3 |
| Electives | 4 | |
| 16 | ||
| Year Two, Semester One | units | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 | |
| 16 | ||
| Year Two, 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 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 19 units of specified courses, 19 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 +1.5 (for advanced standing students admitted with a first professional degree in landscape architecture)
| Year One, Semester One | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 542aL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 543 | Research Methods | 1 |
| ARCH 544 | Urban Landscape: Process and Place | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| 16 | ||
| Year One, Semester Two | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 542bL | Landscape Architecture Design | 6 |
| ARCH 545 | Urban Landscape: Contemporary History and Prospect | 3 |
| ARCH 697aL | M.L.Arch. Thesis Option II, or | |
| ARCH 698aL | M.L.Arch. Thesis Option I | 2 |
| Electives | 5 | |
| 16 | ||
| Year Two, Semester One | units | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 697bL | M.L.Arch. Thesis Option II, or | |
| ARCH 698bL | M.L.Arch. Thesis Option I | 8 |
| Electives | 8 | |
| 16 | ||
Sample Elective Courses for All Curricula
| 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 519 | Sustainability in the Environment: Infrastructures, Urban Landscapes and Buildings | 3 |
| ARCH 524 | Professional Practicum | 1, max 2 |
| ARCH 536 | The Landscape Planning Process | 3 |
| ARCH 540L | Topics in Media for Landscape Architecture | 2, max 6 |
| ARCH 546 | Topics in Landscape Architecture: Issues and Practices | 3, max 6 |
| ARCH 547 | Urban Nature | 3 |
| ARCH 548 | Media for Landscape Architecture: 3D Design | 3 |
| ARCH 549 | Fundamentals of Heritage Conservation | 3 |
| ARCH 550 | Heritage Conservation Policy and Planning | 3 |
| ARCH 552 | Introduction to Historic Site Documentation | 2 |
| ARCH 553 | History of American Architecture and Urbanism | 3 |
| ARCH 566 | Cross-Cultural Topics in Landscape Architecture History | 3, max 6 |
| ARCH 606 | Advanced Architectural Theory | 2 |
| ARCH 608 | Urban Theory: Los Angeles Case Study | 2 |
| ARCH 635 | Landscape Construction: Assembly and Documentation | 3 |
| PPD 417 | History of Planning and Development | 4 |
| PPD 461 | Sustainable Communities, Policy and Planning | 4 |
| PPD 527 | The Social Context of Planning | 2 |
| PPD 530 | Historic Analysis of Urban Form and Planning Practice | 2 |
| PPD 533 | Planning History and Urban Form | 2 |
| PPDE 632 | Sustainable Cities | 4 |
| SSCI 581 | Concepts for Spatial Thinking | 4 |
| SSCI 583 | Spatial Analysis | 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 faculty advisory team including a principal critic.