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Master in Landscape Architecture I in Harvard University

Harvard University
Graduate School of Design
Cambridge, Massachusetts
United States
Landscape & Environment
Overview

The program leading to the Master in Landscape Architecture (MLA) is an accredited professional degree intended for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major other than one of the design professions.

 

The curriculum of the three-year MLA I is rigorous and comprehensive, and prepares candidates for the full range of professional activities in landscape architecture. A four-semester core curriculum provides a solid intellectual base of knowledge in design, history, theory, technology, ecology, representation, and professional practice. The remaining two semesters offer the opportunity to engage in advanced studios and elective courses across all GSD departments. Particular emphasis is given to developing mastery in design in each of the six studios. For those students who want to pursue independent work, there is also the option to develop an elective design thesis in their final semester. For more information on the program, please see the MLA Degree Requirements.

 

Curriculum

 

A candidate will be recommended for the Master in Landscape Architecture as a professional degree upon satisfactory completion of 120 units

 

Residence

 

For students entering the three-year MLA I program, a minimum of six terms of full-time study in residence is required. Under special circumstances, students may receive permission to reduce their course load and extend their studies over a longer period of time.

 

Please note that the MLA I, MLA I AP, and MLA II programs are now designated as a STEM program making international MLA graduates eligible to extend their F-1 visas for up to three years in order to work in the United States.

 

Footnotes

 

* The Graduate School of Design offers week-long pre-semester Digital Media Skills Workshops for each term of the core years (4 classes), all of which are required for all Master in Landscape Architecture students. These workshops are integrated with the design studios and are intended to give students the necessary preparation and knowledge of the workflows and digital techniques used in the context of studios: 3D software basics, rendering basics, data-transfer from 3D software, output and model building techniques using CAD/CAM facilities. The workshop will include an orientation session in the woodshop and on using laser cutters. No academic credit is given for the workshop.

 

** Distributional electives must be taken from two fields of study, to be selected from a list of approved courses issued by the department each year indicated as follows: 4 units of electives in landscape architecture representation, history, or theory; and 4 units of electives in ecologies or technologies.

 

*** A minimum of one option studio must be taken from those offered by the Department of Landscape Architecture.

 

**** In the 2017-2018 academic year, required course GSD 7241 Practices of Landscape Architecture will be offered only in the spring term. Students should plan ahead accordingly.

 

***** Thesis is a 12-unit course for students who entered their program prior to the 2016-2017 academic year.

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Admission Requirements

Preparation for Admission

 

Admission with No Previous Professional Education:

 

Individuals who have completed a four-year Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in any field are eligible for admission to the first term of the professional degree program. Preference for admission is given to applicants who have completed a balanced undergraduate education that includes study in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Three college-level, semester-long courses are specifically required as prerequisites for admission to the MLA I program: one semester of environmental science; one semester of history of the built environment (this could include history of architecture, history of gardens and designed landscapes, environmental history, urban history); and at least one semester of visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, graphics). Applicants must achieve a grade of B- or better in each of these courses. Courses in the humanities, philosophy, literature, and economics are also recommended but are not required.

 

APPLY

 

Here you’ll find a summary of the documents and materials that you will need to prepare and submit with your online application.

 

DEADLINES

 

Jan 2, 2020

 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

 

1.- Gather Your Transcripts

 

You are required to submit transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you’ve received credit. You should request either an official paper transcript or a digital version from your school. You will then upload it to your application. Make sure the scanned version is legible and oriented properly. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. If the university or college does not issue transcripts, a certified letter and certified English translation must be provided. It should list courses and examinations taken, grades, and degrees and dates of degrees received. Applicants are only required to submit hard copies of official transcripts, sent directly from their previous institution to the GSD, if they are admitted and decide to enroll at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Do not mail paper copies of transcripts prior to receiving an admissions decision; we do not retain any transcripts received prior to March 1. All previous degrees must be conferred by August 15 in order to enroll in the fall. Please note that if you are currently enrolled at another graduate school, the GSD does not accept transfer credits for work completed at another institution.

 

2.- Collect Three Letters of Recommendation

 

Applicants are required to obtain three letters of recommendation: at least two from college or university instructors and, if appropriate, one from an employer. Pay close attention when selecting your option about waiving your right to see your recommendation. If you wish to change your waiver selection, then you will need to exclude that recommender and add them again. Recommenders will receive instructions via email once the applicant has registered them via the online application; only online recommendations are accepted. Up to five recommendations may be submitted. You can still submit your application even if your recommenders have not sent in their recommendations.

 

3.- Have your GRE Scores Sent to the GSD

 

The general test of the Graduate Record Examination is required for all applicants to degree programs (with the exception of the GMAT option below), including international students. Although recent scores are preferred, tests taken within five years of the test date are acceptable. When requesting that scores be sent to Harvard University, use the institution code for the Graduate School of Design: 3455. Please note, we will store scores in our database until they expire. Applicants are urged to register early to obtain an appropriate test date for the GRE, so that scores are received by the application deadline. Test dates no later than November are recommended for January applications. It takes 10-15 days for the GSD to receive scores after you take the exam. We do not have a cut-off point for GPA or GRE scores, although successful applicants typically have at least a 3.4 GPA. The average GRE scores for incoming students are 157 for the verbal, 159 for the quantitative, and 4.0 for the analytical writing sections. We encourage you to apply whether or not you meet these guidelines, keeping in mind that all components of the application are taken into consideration.

 

4.- Have your TOEFL Scores Sent to the GSD

 

International Students Only

TOEFL scores are required for all international students. Scores are valid for 2 years. When requesting that scores be sent to Harvard University, use the institution code for the Graduate School of Design: 3455. Read our TOEFL FAQ for more details. As with GRE scores, we will save TOEFL scores in our database until they expire. (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL score reports.)

 

5.- Edit your Resume

 

Upload a resume that includes: employment; education; extra-curricular collegiate and community activities (note whether an office held was elected or appointed); honors, awards, professional registration, professional societies, publications; avocations, hobbies, travel; if you served in the military, indicate rank on entry and rank on separation.

 

6.- Write Your Essay

 

The requirements of your essay depend on the program you’re applying to.

 

Submit an essay that addresses your background as it relates to your academic and professional interests, and why you wish to pursue the GSD degree program to which you are applying. Limit responses to approximately 1,000 words.

 

7.- Prepare Your Portfolio

 

Portfolios must be uploaded as a single PDF and include your most important and representative visual arts, design, research, and/or professional work. Projects should include a description as well as any supporting documentation, which may include images or a video. All work must indicate the date of the project and whether the project was academic, office-related, or personal. In the case of collaborative work, the contribution by the applicant must be described precisely. Embedded links are deactivated when you upload your portfolio. Please note, we do not accept materials from third party services such as Interfolio. We do not have any sample portfolios. A wide variety of design work and portfolio styles are submitted; there is no one type of correct or successful portfolio.

 

Recommended File Set-up:

 

Pages: 30 max (Cover pages or table of contents don’t count)File Size: 40MB max
Page Layout: 12” x 18” or A3, two-page spreads should be combined into one page. (recommended)
Color Format: RGB (recommended)
Resolution: 150 dpi (recommended)Video Requirements:
You have the option of submitting one video as a supplement to the PDF portfolio. In exceptional cases where video has been a primary focus of an applicant’s previous design work, up to three video files may be submitted.
Format: .MOV or .WMX
Length: 60s max
Dimensions: 640px x 480px

 

Portfolios should show work in the visual arts or design you’ve executed. If you don’t have any previous training in architecture, landscape architecture, or related fields you may demonstrate design aptitude by submitting examples of freehand drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, furniture, product design, etc. The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate creativity, aptitude for design, and a capacity to think and design in three dimensions. If you have participated in Design Discovery (or similar programs at other schools), you’re encouraged to include this work.

 

8.- Pay the Application Fee

 

There is a $90, non-refundable fee for each application submitted. In order for your application(s) to be reviewed, the fee(s) should be paid, by credit card only, immediately after submitting your application. Try again with a different credit card should the system reject your card.

 

9.- Apply for Financial Aid

 

Prospective students interested in receiving aid should complete the Financial Aid application. Read more information about paying for your program.

 

After you Submit

 

Once submitted, changes, additions, or any other edits cannot be made to the application and/or portfolio. Application materials, including the portfolio, become the property of the GSD and cannot be returned or forwarded to any other party.

 

All decisions are released within the first week of March. You will receive an email indicating that there is an update on your Applicant Status Page. We will not give out decisions over the phone. If you have not received notification by April 1, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@gsd.harvard.edu.

 

Please note, the GSD does not grant deferrals. If you are admitted but unable to attend, you would need to reapply.

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General information
Length
3 years full time
Language
English
Director
Gareth Doherty
Fee
Not Confirmed
Email
admissions@gsd.harvard.edu / gdoherty@gsd.harvard.edu
Telephone
+1 617-495-5453
Address
48 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website
Campus Location
The information of this Master's Degree was extracted from the Official Website of the program.
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