Landscape Architecture

The Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (M.S.L.A.) at the University of Idaho is a specialty degree administered in partnership with Washington State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the Washington State University Interdisciplinary Design Institute in Spokane Washington. This program focuses on the roles of the bioregional and cultural landscape as determining factors in landscape architecture research and practice.

As a student of the program, you will study:

• Northern Rocky Mountain regional landscape
• Computer applications in regional planning
• The cultural landscape
• Research methods

The program provides advanced training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other computer-assisted modeling and visualization technologies.

Set within the scenic Palouse Hills eco-region of the Columbia Plateau and the Palouse watershed, the University of Idaho provides a rich context for studying landscape architecture from a bioregional and watershed perspective.

Prepare for Success

The Master of Science of Landscape Architecture (M.S.L.A.) is ideal for professional landscape architects who want to engage in research and theoretical study of the field. Students with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture may apply for the one- or two-year program.

Qualified students with baccalaureate degrees from other disciplines have the opportunity to be admitted into the three-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture/M.S.L.A. program. This option allows you to earn both landscape architecture degrees in as little as three years.

Your First Year

Landscape architecture graduate students may pursue a one year, 30-credit M.S.L.A. or a two year, 40-credit M.S.L.A.

What You Can Do

The Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (M.S.L.A.) is designed for those with a degree in landscape architecture. You may pursue a career specializing in a variety of areas, including:

• Residential design
• Golf course design
• Storm water design and management
• Landscape preservation
• Community design
• Eco-resort design
• National and international planning
• Habitat preservation and restoration
• Urban design
• Landscape interpretation and cultural preservation
• Campus design
• Garden design
• Zoo design
• Landscape art
• Therapeutic gardens for health care and education
• Computer-assisted landscape modeling and visualization

Opportunities

The M.S.L.A. provides the opportunity to enhance your expertise and perspective with advanced study and research in the field. This enriched knowledge will allow you to further specialize and to potentially carve a professional niche for your career.

The degree is also excellent preparation for those interested in a doctorate degree in the field. Many of our graduates will go on to a career in academia.

Current Research

The Department of Landscape Architecture is partnering with the Departments of Conservation Social Sciences on the Building Sustainable Communities Initiative, a $1.6 million, 5-year grant to establish an academic program in bioregional planning and community design, provide community outreach and develop professional training to promote sustainable futures. The significant collaborative project creates many opportunities for students and faculty to engage in research in bioregional planning and community design.

Areas of faculty research include:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in land planning
• Storm water design standards
• Bioregionalism and site design
• Water conservation and harvesting
• Sustainable sites best practices
• Standards for open space planning in community development

Activities

American Society of Landscape Architecture, University of Idaho Student Chapter

Hands-On Experience

Graduate students in the Department of Landscape Architecture will engage in landscape architecture research alongside faculty mentors, as well as through completion of a thesis.