Master of Landscape Architecture

Overview

The master of landscape architecture (MLA) program examines the symbiotic relationships among the landscape, people and culture. Your studies will familiarize you with the current practice of landscape architecture, while encouraging you to question, invent, create, test and advance your knowledge of the profession.

The goal of this program is superior education, scholarly research and meaningful service in the discipline and practice of landscape architecture.

• View program requirements here
• View general curriculum overview here

The program’s “laboratories” are the urban, suburban, rural and wilderness landscapes mainly associated with the Mountain, Front Range, High Prairie and Western Slope regions of Colorado. These areas present diverse cultural and environmental situations and opportunities in which to shape regionally responsive landscape design and planning. Imperatives within the public and private realms of these landscapes fuel the academic and research agenda. The program  represents an accessible spectrum of good and bad examples and situations to study. The knowledge and experiences you will derive apply globally to multiple scales and cultures.

Sample topics include:

• The challenges associated with urban and suburban growth and development
• The planning and design leading to the making of healthy, sustainable cities and regenerative communities
• The role and making of civic infrastructure
• The use and conservation of land and water resources
• The reclamation and preservation of disturbed and historic landscapes
• The recognition and application of natural and urban conditions and values of the region

It is within this context that UC Denver’s Department of Landscape Architecture links theory with practice, history with change, technology with invention and designers with their constituents.

 
Program Objectives

Specific educational objectives of the program are as follows: 

• To develop excellence in the design process and the design of the built landscape that leads to a variety of outcomes. Particular emphasis is given to exploring the strategies, methods and skills necessary to study, synthesize, experiment with and evaluate design precedents, as well as design and design processes.
• To learn and develop competence in the core themes of the profession that include landscape architectural theory and precedent, technologies and materials, natural and cultural systems, and communications and research media. Particular emphasis is placed on studying the means to develop ideas, to convey values and to critique work.
• To learn and utilize methods that will enable students to engage in independent research, as well as design investigations based on rigorous, original and creative thinking, the goal of which will lead to the completion of definitive scholarly work and/or enhance the outcome of creative works. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating research assignments within design studios, support classes and thesis options.
• To provide a working knowledge of the institutional framework within which the design process occurs. Particular emphasis is placed on building a strong understanding of professional practice and the skills required therein including management, leadership, marketing, ethical conduct and legal issues.
• To develop skills using methods that apply to and extend course work, research and creative work to real world situations. Particular emphasis is placed on participating in opportunities to implement, enhance, demonstrate, communicate and evaluate ideas and skills, and to provide measurable benefits for all stakeholders.