MLA-I MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

2023-2024 | Curriculum | 3-year program

The MLA I program is for students entering without a degree from an accredited landscape architecture undergraduate design program. The core curriculum provides deep knowledge and skills in Landscape Architecture including design thinking, visual and analytical thinking, material thinking and contextual and critical thinking. Electives and advanced studios provide opportunities to take courses in other departments at RISD.

Notes:

[a] One course: Advanced Design Studio Elective is required which may be an allied department (Architecture, Interior Architecture or another department) with pre-approval from the Department Head.

[b] At the end of the Spring semester of the second year, there is a required Thesis Preparation Workshop (two meetings, no credit).

[c] course: Design Foundations/Field Ecology is taken in the summer preceding the first fall semester. course: English for Art and Design is a one-week, one (1) credit course (scheduled prior to the start of course) and is highly recommended for International Students.

Internships

Three-credit internships are available during the Fall, Wintersession, Spring and Summer. The Internship Application and the Agreement Form must be completed prior to the start of the internship. The internships should entail a minimum of 20 hours/week. Students will need to show that the design office is participating in the work that is within or related to the profession of Landscape Architecture. Schedule, work content and office projects should be included in the internship forms when submitted to the advisor and department head for approval.

Independent Studies

Students must apply and gain approval for independent Study credit prior to the last day of classes of the semester preceding the Independent Study, including Wintersession. A GPA of 3.00 or above is needed to enroll. Students must submit a course syllabus with learning objectives, learning outcomes, weekly schedule, bibliography and criteria by which work will be evaluated. Students must meet with their advisor a minimum of 1.5 hours/week except during school sanctioned holidays. Digital documentation of the work must be submitted to the student’s Academic Advisor and Department Head prior to the submission of grades

RISD and URI

RISD may accept up to twelve credits successfully earned by the relevant, concurrently enrolled MLA student in any of the URI MMA required courses (as outlined in the RISD|URI articulation agreement). All such transferred credits will be applied toward fulfillment of RISD MLA elective courses. No more than three credits may be transferred in any given semester of the relevant student’s MLA program. MLA students must maintain full time status while enrolled at RISD.

The department retains the right to require a full faculty review of student work at the end of each semester and Wintersession. Among other things, this review will be used to determine eligibility to continue in the program.

MLA students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.70 after their first semester and a minimum semester GPA of 3.00 thereafter in order to proceed in the program. MLA students who are placed on academic probation based on grades earned in the Fall semester of their final year of study or with a final Fall semester GPA below 3.00 will not be allowed to proceed into Thesis. The minimum cumulative grade point average required for graduation with an MLA degree is 2.75. Note: 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 Academic Laptop Program.