Master of Landscape Architecture

3 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Pennsylvania

Program Overview

The University of Pennsylvania’s three-year Master of Landscape Architecture is a professionally accredited first professional degree designed for students entering landscape architecture from a four-year undergraduate degree in any field other than landscape architecture or architecture. Students develop design, ecological, technical, theoretical, and digital skills through interconnected Studio, Workshop, Theory, and Media sequences, preparing them to address landscapes, public spaces, infrastructure, climate, and environmental challenges at multiple scales.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1: Students establish the foundations of landscape design through LARP 5010 Studio I, LARP 5110 Workshop I: Ecology and Built Landscapes, and LARP 5350 Theory I: Histories and Theories of Landscape and Environment. In the spring, LARP 5020 Studio II, LARP 5120 Workshop II: Landform and Planting Design, and LARP 5420 Media II: Fundamentals of 3D Modeling develop students’ ability to understand sites, ecological systems, planting, landform, and three-dimensional representation.

Year 2: The second year advances students into more technically and ecologically complex design work through LARP 6010 Studio III, LARP 6110 Workshop III: Site Engineering and Water Management, and LARP 5430 Media III: Landscape and Digital Dynamics. Students also study LARP 7610 Urban Ecology and choose electives, expanding their understanding of urban ecological systems, digital methods, engineering, water management, and specialized landscape topics.

Year 3: The final year emphasizes advanced and independent design exploration through LARP 7010 Studio V and LARP 7020 Studio VI, supported by LARP 6120 Workshop IV: Advanced Landscape Construction and multiple electives. Advanced studios allow students to investigate critical landscape topics internationally, while students can also pursue independently conceived research projects and develop more sophisticated approaches to landscape construction and design.

Focus areas: ecological landscape design, climate policy and post-carbon futures, biodiversity and global land-use planning, public realm equity and reparative justice, environmental modeling, sensing and visualization, environmental justice, decarbonization, nature-based infrastructure, cultural landscapes, digital mapping, plant science, brownfield regeneration, urban ecology and landscape technology.

Learning outcomes: develop innovative design thinking, design research and design action; strengthen critical thinking and creative imagination; learn to visualize and realize landscape ideas; develop ecological, technical and digital design capabilities; understand landscapes across urban and rural scales; and develop the ability to respond creatively to social, environmental and multispecies climate challenges.

Professional alignment: The MLA is a professionally accredited landscape architecture degree, and Penn states that the three-year program is its first professional degree for students without a previous landscape architecture or architecture degree. Landscape Architecture is also designated as a STEM discipline by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; eligible international F-1 graduates may qualify for an additional 24-month OPT extension after the initial 12-month OPT period.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Pennsylvania officially reports strong university-wide graduate outcomes, including 91% of its 2025 graduates working full-time or continuing education within six months and a $103,418 median starting salary for 2025 graduates employed full-time; however, a program-specific QS/Guardian employability ranking for the Master of Landscape Architecture is not stated on the official program sources reviewed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The three-year Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania is strongly studio-based, with students developing practical design skills through projects based on real sites and programs, ranging from pathways and gardens to parks, waterfronts, brownfield reclamation, housing, and regional plans. The curriculum combines Studio, Workshop, Theory, and Media sequences, giving students hands-on experience in landscape construction, planting design, site engineering, water management, digital visualization, and 3D modeling. Students also participate in field-based learning, including site visits and field trips, while the required Summer Institute introduces incoming students to design skills, Philadelphia, and Penn's campus.

Design studios: Students work through six studios—Studio I–VI—developing projects that address real landscape, ecological, urban, and regional conditions.
Hands-on workshops: Ecology and Built Landscapes, Landform and Planting Design, Site Engineering and Water Management, and Advanced Landscape Construction provide practical training in landscape systems and construction.
Digital tools: Fundamentals of 3D Modeling and Landscape and Digital Dynamics develop digital visualization and modeling skills; Penn's computer labs provide software including QGIS, SLAMM, Solemma ClimateStudio, Unity, RealityScan, Twinmotion, Unreal Engine, Visual Analysis, and WUFI.
Fabrication facilities: The Weitzman School Fabrication Lab supports woodworking, metalworking, machining, CNC routing, laser cutting, and 3D printing, allowing students to physically prototype and fabricate design ideas.
Wet lab: The Spray Booth and Wet Lab in Meyerson Hall provides a designated space for materials such as paints, plaster, and concrete work.
Computer laboratories: Meyerson 321 PC Lab provides high-performance workstations, large-format scanning, and specialized environmental, visualization, modeling, and simulation software.
Field learning: The program includes site visits and field trips associated with workshops and studios, while the Summer Institute includes travel connected with the Natural Systems course.
Research facilities: The Advanced Research & Innovation Lab (ARI) provides access to advanced fabrication, measurement, and modeling technologies and supports design research across Weitzman.
Interdisciplinary environment: Students are based in Meyerson Hall, which houses Landscape Architecture alongside facilities and centers including the McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology and Penn Institute for Urban Research, supporting cross-disciplinary design and research.
Library resources: The Fisher Fine Arts Library supports design research and is part of the Weitzman School's principal facilities.
Collaborative learning: Penn describes the MLA curriculum as engaging students in collaborative studio environments and field-based learning, with design work developed through studio projects, critiques, workshops, and media exercises.
Internship opportunity: International MLA students may participate in U.S.-based summer internships through Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania prepares graduates for professional practice across landscape design, urbanism, ecological planning, and public-space development. Its professionally accredited curriculum, strong design focus, and access to Penn’s career network can support careers in both private practice and public-sector landscape projects.

Typical Job Roles: Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer, Urban Designer, Landscape Project Manager:

Career Services: Penn provides Handshake for internships and jobs, career advising, resume and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, portfolio reviews, professional-development events, and the annual Weitzman Career Fair.
Employment Opportunities: The 2025 Design Career Fair brought together 60 employers, including landscape and planning firms, nonprofits, and city agencies; Penn also reported a current landscape architecture graduate opportunity posted in September 2026.
Employment Statistics: Penn reports 87% of MLA students graduated within 3 years and 96% within 4 years for 2023–24; program-specific current employment percentages and salary figures are not stated on the official MLA pages reviewed.
Salary Figures: Penn provides graduate-outcomes and salary information through its Career Services outcomes tools, but a specific MLA salary range or median is not stated on the official program pages reviewed.
University–Industry Connections: Penn’s Design Career Fair connects students with landscape architecture employers, while specific landscape-industry connections include David Rubin Land Collective and WRT; Penn also hosts professional networking activities with WRT.
Professional Accreditation: The MLA is LAAB-accredited, supporting graduates who wish to pursue landscape-architecture licensure; additional experience and examination requirements apply according to the relevant U.S. jurisdiction.
Graduation Outcomes: Penn reports 47 MLA graduates in 2023–24, with 41 graduating within three years and 45 within four years; Penn Career Services also surveys graduates regarding their post-graduation plans.
International Opportunities: International MLA students can participate in U.S.-based summer internships through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), providing an opportunity to gain relevant professional experience during the degree.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced interdisciplinary study through Penn’s available dual-degree pathways and certificates, including the MLA/MArch, MLA/MCP, MLA/MSHP, MLA/MUSA, MLA/MFA, and MLA/MES, or combine the MLA with the Urban Design Certificate. Students interested in research-oriented careers can also build on the program through further graduate or doctoral-level study in related fields such as landscape architecture, urbanism, planning, environmental studies, and design.