Landscape Architecture

The Landscape Architecture program is a learning community passionately pursuing excellence in the study and design of landscapes and solutions to most compelling issues facing our built and natural environments in meaningful and beautiful ways. New Mexico's remarkable Southwestern setting, with its ancient human-made and natural landscapes and its growing modern population, provides an excellent laboratory for the study of landscape architecture.

The program offers an LAAB accredited first professional Master of Landscape Architecture three-year degree program designed to prepare students without a design background for professional practice and landscape architecture licensure. Also offered is a post-professional Master of Landscape Architecture two-year degree program for students with a design background who desire to further develop their expertise and advance the discipline.

The School of Architecture and Planning is unique in offering interdisciplinary programs in Historic Preservation and Regionalism, as well as Urban and Regional Design. The Indigenous Design and Planning Institute, Resource Center for Raza Planning, Design and Planning Assistance Center, and CityLab operate collaboratively with the degree programs in Architecture, Community and Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture offering our students and faculty distinctive interdisciplinary specializations and opportunities.

Students completing their degree requirements are well prepared to accomplish the outcomes expected of state licensure and registration boards throughout the United States. Students will have developed: 

• A broad view of, and expertise in landscape architecture and the role and responsibility of the discipline in public health, safety and welfare as required by landscape architecture licensure law and accreditation standards.
• An understanding of landscape architecture as a synthesis of environmental, cultural and technological systems.
• The special, necessary skills and knowledge of the landscape architect, which include but are not limited to: the history and theory of landscape architecture; plant selection and design; site analysis; creative site planning and design; landscape construction and materials; design and sustainability; the function of landscape architecture as a social art; professional practice, methods, and ethics; computer applications; research as a tool for environmental designers; and the relationship of landscape architecture to its closely allied disciplines of engineering, planning, and architecture.
• The ability to exercise critical thinking and original design in the practice of landscape architecture.
• The ability to apply research methodology and appropriate theory.
• A Master’s Project or Master’s Thesis based on a topic selected according to their interests and a vision of their own future in the discipline.

Three-Year Program of Study

This track is designed for students whose previous degree is not design related. The program is normally 87 credit hours in length, and takes approximately three years to complete. For students entering with undergraduate or graduate degrees in areas of study that have some content overlap with the Landscape Architecture curriculum, the Director may allow a program of study shorter than 87 credit hours, but not fewer than 75 credit hours.

Two-Year Program of Study

This track is designed for students who have already earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, but have not had extensive professional experience and are not licensed (minimum of 48 credit hours required), or a degree in Architecture or Environment, Planning and Design (minimum of 57 credit hours required). Exact program requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis by the LA Program Director. 

Post-Professional Program of Study

Applicants for the Post-Professional program must be licensed, practicing landscape architects, with a minimum of five years experience in the field. The student's program of study is developed in consultation with the LA Program Director and requires thirty credit hours. Contact the Program Director for information and requirements. 

Required Courses

Typical Sequence for Three-year Program of Study

Master’s Examination

The Master’s Examination occurs at the time of the Master’s thesis/project public presentation and defense, when the student’s committee evaluates the scope and quality of the work, mastery of the field and the emphasis, and the student’s research accomplishment.

The student’s program of study is developed in consultation with the major advisor. It may be altered if needed with the consent of the advisor. The M.L.A. degree is granted upon successful completion of an approved program of study.

Students are expected to demonstrate a mastery of readings in the field.

• The University of New Mexico on-line application. 
• A $50 application fee payable on-line or by phone at (505) 277-5363. Keep the reference number for fee payment. 
• A letter of intent outlining the applicant's interest in the discipline of landscape architecture and the reasons for seeking admission to the program in either PDF or Word format.
• Email contact information for three references with whom the applicant has worked and/or studied. References are contacted via email with a link for them to submit digital letters of reference in a PDF or Word format. Two letters would typically come from teachers or academic advisors who can comment on the applicant's prior undergraduate and/or graduate performance.
• A resume (curriculum vitae) in either PDF or Word format.
• A digital portfolio of creative work in a PDF, Word or PowerPoint format. The portfolio should provide high quality examples of creative thinking, writing and problem solving or communication approaches in their prior studies, work or personal interests. The digital portfolio layout should not exceed an 11x17 page layout. Applicants are encouraged to think about graphic design and presentation of the portfolio. All images and all graphics should be of a resolution to effectively communicate appropriate detail. Note that all applicants are required to submit a portfolio and encourage to submit a writing sample therein. Applicants with a non-design background are encouraged to communicate prior creative thinking, writing, problem solving and/or personal images or illustrations of landscapes and landscape designs which have led to pursuit of landscape architecture.
• Transcripts for each institution attended.

International Students also need to submit the following:

• An attested copy of your diploma.
• Official TOEFL scores that must meet the University of New Mexico minimum of 79 on the IBT TOEFL.

Scholarships

Students entering the LA program from out-of-state, and international students, are eligible for Graduate Project Assistantships.  The Assistantships allow students to pay tuition at in-state rates, provide student health insurance, and involve a stipend based on 10 hours of work per week.

International students are eligible for Amigo Scholarships from the Office of Graduate Studies. These scholarships allow students to pay tuition at in-state rates for the duration of their program. Normally international students who do not receive an Amigo Scholarship will maintain a project assistantship for the duration of their program. Assistantships may also be available depending on the opportunities through grants and contracts being carried out by faculty.

Each year there are a number of awards and scholarships awarded to students based on academic achievement, design excellence and leadership.