The Landscape Architecture program offers courses of study leading to the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree. The MLA program is designed for students with a previous degree in a field unrelated to landscape architecture; for students who hold other professional degrees in architecture, planning and engineering; and for students who have received a BLA degree and are interested in advanced education in a particular area of landscape architecture. The MLA program emphasizes research, analysis, planning, design and management of landscapes ranging in scale from individual sites to entire communities and regions. The MLA program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. This accreditation is also recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Administrative Staff

Director, SEDRD
Sean Kelly (101 Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56870)
sean.kelly@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Nadia Amoroso (144 Landscape Architecture, Ext. 53192)
nadia.amoroso@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Diana Foolen (102B Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56576)
dfoolen@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MLA Program

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MLA program is not restricted to holders of the BLA degree. Strongly motivated graduates of honours programs in a variety of disciplines may be admissible under the normal Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, which is at least B- in the last two years of undergraduate study. Well-prepared applicants will have studied broadly in their undergraduate programs.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of proficiency in the English language using one of the University's approved tests. Admissible scores for entry to the MLA are as follows:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): overall score of 93 with no individual component below 23
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): overall average of at least 6.5, with no individual component below 6.5
• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL): overall score of 70 with a minimum of 60 in each of the categories
• PTE-A: overall score of 63 with a minimum of 57 (listening), 61 (reading), 54 (speaking) and 74 (writing)
• Duolingo: overall score of 125
• Advanced Level for the UoG English Language Certificate
• Advanced Level for the UoG Graduate Preparation Program

Application deadline and additional information on the MLA program at the University of Guelph can be obtained from our webpage at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/sedrd/.

Program Requirements

Students in the MLA program will focus on developing their skills and knowledge through successive studios and coursework, culminating in a capstone design project studio, LARC*6700. The MLA program prides itself on the diverse backgrounds and interests that make up each of our entering classes, and the opportunities for learning that this diversity creates. Students are encouraged to share the expertise they have developed in their undergraduate studies and professional experience and integrate it into the studio learning environment at Guelph. A student may opt to complete a Thesis Project (LARC*6730) instead of the capstone design project, pending successful approval of a thesis proposal and identification of an Advisor and Advisory Committee member.

The program offers opportunities for students to take electives drawing from the wealth of offerings in adjacent disciplines on campus. Recommended elective courses are listed in the MLA program handbook, and students are encouraged to select courses in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator and in subjects that support their focus areas within landscape architecture. Students may take no more than 4.00 credits in senior undergraduate classes.

The MLA program requires successful completion of 12.00 credits, as follows:

Holders of a BLA

Students who have previously completed a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program accredited by Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB, American Society of Landscape Architects) and Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council (LAAC; Canadian Association of Landscape Architects) will be exempt from 4.50 credits of MLA coursework and be able to complete the program over four semesters, as follows:

For those with other accredited BLA degrees, please contact the MLA Graduate Program Assistant as exemptions may be available on a case-by-case basis.  

Thesis Project Option

Students interested in doing a thesis must approach a potential advisor in Semester 4. It is also recommended that thesis students will take an additional research methods course in Semester 4 or 5 as their elective. A proposal should be prepared and approved by their Advisory Committee (advisor plus one other member) by the end of Semester 4. For holders of a BLA, a proposal will be required at the end of Semester 2. 

Courses