Landscape Architecture
Curriculum Tracks
Our curricula include seminars and workshops in history, natural systems, technology, and visualization, coupled with a sequence of design studios and interdisciplinary electives in sustainability, architecture, visual arts, and urban planning, among others. Below are sample sequences for the 75-credit MLA, the 36-credit MSLA, and the 150-credit BSAED MLA 3+2 degree options.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) - 75 credits
The MLA is a three-year, professionally accredited degree for individuals seeking to become landscape architects and have no previous background in design. The degree consists of 66 core and 9 elective credits, and normally requires six semesters of full-time study. Individuals with previous coursework in design or a professional undergraduate degree in architecture or city and regional planning can apply for Advanced Standing and reduce their total required credits for completion to between 60-75.
| Year One | |||
| Studio I: Environmental Design | 6 | Studio II: Site Planning | 3 |
| Graphics Workshop | 3 | Digital Visualization + Fabrication | 3 |
| Environmental Resources I | 3 | Topography, Grading & Drainage | 3 |
| Urban Plants I | 1 | Urban Plants II | 1 |
| Landscape Architecture History | 3 | ||
| Year Two | |||
| Studio III: Nature and the City | 3 | Studio IV: Communal Landscapes | 3 |
| Design & Human Behavior i | 3 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| Construction Materials & Methods | 3 | Environmental Resources II | 3 |
| Urban Plants III | 1 | Plants and Design | 3 |
| History II | 3 | Elective ii | 3 |
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| Year Three | |||
| Studio V: Comprehensive | 6 | Studio VI: Master's Project | 3 |
| Research Methods | 3 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
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| Total Required Credit Hours | 75 | ||
Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (MSLA) - 36 credits
The MSLA is an advanced two-year degree for individuals who already possess a professional degree in landscape architecture. The option consists of 36 credits and normally requires three semesters of full-time study. Students choosing to enroll part-time may extend their studies over a longer period of time.
| Year One | |||
| Research Methods | 3 | Studio Elective | 6 |
| Studio Elective | 6 | Supervised Research | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Year Two | |||
| Thesis Studio | 6 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | ||
Accelerated 3+2 (BSAED+MLA) - 150 credits *
The BSAED MLA 3+2 (Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design + MLA) option is open to undergraduate students in their second year of an associate degree program in architecture or landscape architecture, and second and/or third year students enrolled in Morgan State's AREN program. Students pursing this option typically earn the accredited professional MLA degree within five years of full-time study.
| Year One | |||
| Orientation for Architecture | 1 | Concepts & Theories of Built Env. I | 3 |
| Communication Skills I | 3 | Communication Skills II (IM) | 3 |
| English Composition I (EC) | 3 | English Composition II (EC) | 3 |
| General Education Req. (SB) | 3 | General Education Req. (SB) | 3 |
| General Education Req. (HH) | 3 | General Education Req. (BP) | 4 |
| Algebra, Functional Geo (MQ) | 3 | 16 | |
| 16 | |||
| Year Two | |||
| Design I | 6 | Design II | 6 |
| Communication Skills III | 3 | History of the Build Environment II | 3 |
| History of the Build Environment I | 3 | Site Design | 3 |
| Building Materials I | 3 | General Education Req. (CT) | 3 |
| Physical Ed. Activity or Fitness | 1 | 15 | |
| 16 | |||
| Year Three | |||
| Design III: Housing | 6 | Design IV: Urban Design | 6 |
| Design & Human Behavior | 3 | Landscape Architecture History | 3 |
| Plants I | 1 | Topography, Grading & Drainage | 3 |
| General Education Req. (BP) | 3 | Plants II | 1 |
| General Education Req. (AH) | 3 | General Education Req. (AH) | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year Four | |||
| Landscape Architecture Studio III | 3 | Landscape Architecture Studio IV | 3 |
| Construction Materials & Methods | 3 | Environmental Resources II | 3 |
| History II | 3 | Planting Design | 3 |
| Plants III | 1 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| General Education Req. (CI) | 3 | 12 | |
| 13 | |||
| Year Five | |||
| Studio V: Comprehensive | 6 | Studio VI: Mater's Project | 3 |
| Research Methods | 3 | Professional Practice | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | Elective | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Total Required Credit Hours | 150 | ||
| *Students must complete the BSAED degree by the end of Year Four. | |||
iOr choose 3 credits from online offerings, including: Introduction to Sustainable Communities (3); The Urban Village-Sustainable Neighborhoods (1); Sustainable Urban Site Design (1); The Natural and Built Environment (1).
iiOnline graduate electives include: Social Justice as a Framework for Sustainable Urban Community (1); Healthy Urban Communities (1); Introduction to Urban Storm water Management (1); Sustainable Construction-Practice & Management (1); Urban Ecology (1); Urban Soils (1); Environmental Site Design for Urban Landscapes (3); Green Roofs/Green Walls (3); Urban Stream Restoration (3); Environmental Planning (3).
