Masters in Landscape Architecture

Students in Arizona State University’s Master of Landscape Architecture gain practical design skills through advanced landscape architecture studios, where they analyze existing landscape conditions and develop professional-level design proposals. The program also connects studio learning with research, technology, community-focused design and global experiences; graduate students can incorporate travel into studio learning and participate in summer study-abroad field studies.

Practical learning opportunities:

• Design studios: Students complete Advanced Landscape Architectural Studio I, II and III, developing professional-level landscape design skills through studio-based projects.
• Applied projects: The curriculum can culminate in an LDE 593 Applied Project, allowing students to apply their landscape architecture knowledge to a substantial project rather than relying solely on classroom study.
• Research: LAP 514 Research in Landscape Architecture and research-area electives provide opportunities to investigate landscape architecture topics through structured research.
• Digital fabrication: The Digital Labs provide 3D printers and laser cutters for fabricating and assembling prototypes, with staff available for project consultation and safety training.
• Prototype fabrication: The Prototype/Modeling Shop supports design-school research and special projects with woodworking, metal and plastic fabrication, including a three-axis CNC mill, three-axis CNC router, water-jet machine, welding and vacuum forming.
• Digital tools: The Print and Computer Lab provides 55 iMac workstations with NVIDIA graphics, giving students dedicated computing resources for design and visualization work.
• Travel and field study: Graduate students may incorporate travel into studio design learning, while summer study-abroad programs extend learning through field studies and global engagement.
• Research environment: The Design School supports research involving computer-assisted design, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, data visualization and robotic fabrication, creating opportunities to explore emerging technologies within design.
• Student exhibitions: Red Square and the Gallery of Design showcase landscape architecture student work alongside faculty research and design projects, giving students opportunities to present and engage with design work publicly.
• Collaborative design: The Design School brings architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and other disciplines together within one school, supporting interdisciplinary design learning and collaboration. 

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) at Arizona State University prepares graduates for professional practice, advanced study, and leadership in landscape architecture, with a strong focus on sustainability, resilience, environmental justice, and community-oriented design. Graduates can work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in areas such as climate adaptation, community development, ecological restoration, parks, sustainable cities, and infrastructure development.

Typical job roles: Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer, Landscape Planner, Urban/Environmental Design Professional: the program develops skills applicable to diverse landscape architecture and related design practices.

• Career services: ASU’s Creative Career Services provides career-development resources, a job-search platform, and support for managing internship programs, helping students connect their design education with professional opportunities.
• Employment statistics: ASU reports that MLA graduates have found employment with nationally recognized landscape architecture firms, multinational firms, and public municipalities and agencies. Public program-level post-graduation employment information is currently not accessible, so no unsupported employment percentage is provided.
• Salary figures: ASU lists Landscape Architect as a related career with a U.S. median salary of $79,870 per year; this is an occupation-level figure rather than a guaranteed graduate starting salary.
• Industry connections: The LAUDED program has collaborative relationships with other programs in The Design School and the professional community, while its faculty includes professionals with experience in landscape architecture, urban design, environmental design, GIS, sustainability, and landscape performance.
• Accreditation value: The MLA is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). ASU states that accreditation demonstrates that the program meets high academic standards and is committed to continuous improvement, while professional licensure is governed by individual state licensing boards.
• Graduation outcomes: ASU reports 100% timely graduation for MLA students in 2024, defined as completing the program within four years or less. The program awarded 9 MLA degrees in 2024, compared with 4 in 2023.
• Professional opportunities: Students can gain experience through community-oriented and place-based projects, global learning opportunities, and projects addressing urban landscapes, sustainability, resilience, climate change, and environmental justice.
• International progression: The MLA is listed as eligible for the STEM OPT extension, potentially allowing eligible F-1 international graduates to obtain an additional 24 months of U.S. work authorization after standard OPT, subject to applicable requirements.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced research study toward a doctoral degree, with ASU specifically identifying doctoral study as a progression route from the MLA. Students can also pursue related graduate-level fields within The Design School, including Master of Urban Design (MUD) and other interdisciplinary design and environmental programs, depending on their academic and professional goals.