Master of Landscape Architecture II

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Harvard University

Program Overview

Harvard University’s two-year, post-professional Master in Landscape Architecture II (MLA II) is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate professional landscape architecture degree or equivalent and want to advance their design expertise. The program focuses on the built environment at the intersection of urbanization and ecology, combining advanced design studios, landscape theory, climate-focused study, electives, research, and the option of a design thesis.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The first year establishes the MLA II core through STU 1211 Landscape Architecture III, where students develop advanced landscape design skills, alongside DES 3241 Theories of Landscape as Urbanism and SCI 6244 Climate by Design, connecting landscape design with urban systems and climate challenges. Students then progress to an Option Studio, DES 3242 Theories of Landscape Architecture, and general electives, giving them greater freedom to explore advanced areas of landscape architecture.

Year 2: The second year provides greater flexibility through advanced Option Studios and a broad selection of general electives across the GSD and Harvard University, supporting individual research interests and specialized design development. Students may also pursue ADV 9341 Preparation of Design Thesis Proposal followed by ADV 9342 Design Thesis in Landscape Architecture, allowing them to develop an independent research and design project.

Focus Areas: Advanced landscape design, urbanization and ecology, landscape urbanism, climate-responsive design, landscape theory, representation, advanced studios, interdisciplinary electives, research and design thesis.

Learning Outcomes: Advance critical, theoretical, representational and technical design skills; develop sophisticated approaches to the relationship between urbanization and ecology; undertake advanced individual and collaborative research; apply landscape architecture knowledge to complex natural and built-environment challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The MLA II program is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB); Harvard states that its MLA program, combined with practical experience, meets the educational requirements for licensure eligibility in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Reputation (Employability): Harvard GSD states that its MLA program is top-ranked and that graduates are in high demand, progressing into private design firms, public agencies, NGOs, academia and advanced degrees in landscape architecture.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Studio-based learning: MLA II students develop advanced design skills through core and option studios, with the curriculum combining design studios, electives, theory, representation, and thesis or studio-track work. The program’s required Digital Media Skills Workshops provide hands-on preparation in 3D software, rendering, digital data transfer, CAD/CAM workflows, model making, woodshop use, and laser cutting.

Digital tools: Students gain practical experience with digital design and fabrication workflows, including 3D software, rendering, CAD/CAM, and model-production techniques integrated into landscape architecture studios.

Design making: Harvard GSD’s Fabrication Lab extends studio learning into physical prototyping and material experimentation, allowing students to translate landscape design ideas into physical models and prototypes using professional fabrication equipment and staff support.

Students can develop these practical skills through:

Core studios: Required MLA II studio work provides hands-on design development and representation within the landscape architecture curriculum.
Option studios: Students undertake multiple option studios, with at least one required option studio offered by the Department of Landscape Architecture.
Digital Media Skills Workshops: Training covers 3D software basics, rendering, data transfer from 3D software, CAD/CAM workflows, output and model-building techniques, woodshop orientation, and laser-cutter use.
Fabrication Lab: Students can use CNC routers and milling machines, 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters, Zünd cutters, woodshop and metal-shop equipment, supporting physical prototyping and model making.
Project rooms: Dedicated project spaces provide worktables, spray booths, sinks, storage, and equipment for fabrication activities and physical project development.
Information Technology: GSD Information Technologies supports design computing for coursework, independent study, teaching, and research.
Frances Loeb Library: The library supports design research, teaching, writing, and GIS/geospatial needs, with reading rooms and individual and group workspaces.
Research and thesis work: Students following the thesis track prepare a design thesis proposal and complete a Design Thesis in Landscape Architecture, providing an opportunity for advanced independent design and research.
Student projects and reviews: GSD showcases MLA student projects and final-review presentations, giving students opportunities to develop and communicate landscape design proposals.
Field-based learning: The GSD documents landscape architecture studio work involving locations such as Athens, Greece, including the STU 1403 Biospheric Urbanism – Changing Climates – Athens Greece studio.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master in Landscape Architecture II prepares graduates for advanced careers across private landscape design firms, public agencies, NGOs, academia, and related planning and consulting fields. Harvard GSD states that MLA graduates pursue careers nationally and internationally and are in high demand, with opportunities extending beyond traditional landscape practice.

Typical job roles: Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer, Urban Design Consultant, Environmental Planning Consultant.

Career Services: Harvard GSD Career Services provides career advising, professional events, employer networking, the CREATE online career portal, mentorship through Connect GSD, and access to opportunities with employers seeking GSD students and graduates. MLA students are also encouraged to build professional experience through internships, student organizations, community service fellowships, alumni connections, and networking events.
Employment opportunities: Harvard identifies employers hiring GSD landscape architecture graduates and interns including SWA Group, AECOM, Agency Landscape + Planning, Central Park Conservancy, Gensler, Hart Howerton, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Reed Hilderbrand, Sasaki, SCAPE Landscape Architecture, Stoss Landscape Urbanism, Surfacedesign Inc., and MASS Design Group.
Employment statistics: Harvard does not publish a specific MLA II employment rate or graduate employment percentage on its official program metrics page. It reports that MLA graduates are in high demand and progress into private design firms, public agencies, NGOs, academia, and advanced degrees.
Salary figures: Harvard GSD does not state a specific salary range or median salary for MLA II graduates on its official program or career pages; therefore, no salary figure is provided.
Industry connections: GSD Career Services works directly with industry-leading employers to recruit and network with GSD students and alumni, while the MLA career resource specifically lists leading landscape and multidisciplinary practices such as AECOM, Gensler, Sasaki, SWA Group, SCAPE Landscape Architecture, and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
Accreditation value: The MLA II is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), with Harvard maintaining LAAB accreditation since 1929; the most recent review was in Spring 2022 and the next is scheduled for Spring 2028. Harvard states that the accredited MLA program meets the educational requirements for licensure eligibility in all U.S. states, subject to each state's individual licensure requirements.
Graduation outcomes: Harvard's official MLA metrics report 66 MLA degrees awarded in 2025–26, 55 in 2024–25, and 75 in 2023–24; the published retention figures were 91% from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025, 81% from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024, and 93% from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023. Harvard notes that MLA II students were incorporated into the retention and degree-award reporting beginning with the 2023–24 academic year.
Alumni network: Graduates can continue to benefit from Harvard GSD's alumni community, including mentorship, alumni networking, the GSD Alumni Council, and professional connections; Harvard also highlights MLA II alumni such as Nina Chase, co-founder of Merritt Chase Landscape Architecture and an active member of the GSD Alumni Council.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MLA II, graduates can pursue advanced degrees in landscape architecture or related design, planning, and environmental fields; Harvard specifically identifies advanced degrees in landscape architecture as one of the progression routes for MLA graduates. The GSD also provides pathways for students interested in interdisciplinary study across landscape architecture, urban planning, architecture, and other design disciplines.