Master of Landscape Architecture

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Description

Overview

USC offers an international laboratory for the study of place in an extraordinary natural landscape, at the center of an unparalleled multicultural region, within the context of a great urban university. Thus, the study of landscape architecture at USC has a particular focus on urban place-making in relation to three principles.

First, the programs are intended for students who already have earned a first degree or the equivalent in landscape architecture or architecture, as well as students entering design studies after obtaining a degree in another field. The emphasis is on truly advanced study based on the knowledge and skills to engage complex issues and to undertake ambitious explorations. Graduates are prepared for leadership opportunities in professional practice as well as in higher education.

A second emphasis is on urban landscapes, and on the responsibility of design professions to create the qualities and meanings of our urban futures and to make critical contributions to the reclamation of degraded natural systems and places.

Third, place-making is a collaborative responsibility that requires leadership from professionals across the entire domain of planning and design. This requires seamless relationships between programs, students and faculty engaged in architecture, landscape architecture, preservation, building science and planning studies.

Thesis or Directed Research Option
In addition to the opportunity to initiate an independent written thesis, students are provided the option to undertake independent design research on important urban issues and projects already in progress within the School of Architecture. Whichever option is taken, students are supported in their work by a three-member faculty advisory team including a principal critic.
MLA Thesis & Design Research Studies

LAAB Accreditation
Accreditation is a non-governmental, voluntary system of self-regulation. Its core is the concept of self-evaluation. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accreditation process evaluates each program on the basis of its stated objectives and compliance to externally mandated minimum standards. The program conducts a self-study to evaluate how well it is meeting its educational goals. LAAB then provides an independent assessment, which determines if a program meets accreditation requirements. Programs leading to first professional degrees at the bachelor’s or master’s levels in the United States are eligible to apply for accreditation from LAAB.
The USC Master of Landscape Architecture first professional curricula (3-year and 2-year curricula) are accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). The LAAB Conditions of Accreditation (including the Student Performance Criteria) are posted on the ASLA website:
LAAB Accreditation Standards Procedures

Requirements

Admission with No Previous Professional Education (+3)
Individuals who have completed a four-year Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, or its equivalent, with no prior degree in landscape architecture, architecture or environmental design, are eligible for admission to the program. Preference for admission is given to those who have completed a balanced undergraduate education that includes study in the arts, sciences and humanities. Applicants must document successful completion of a college-level course in the natural sciences. Preparation in the visual arts is strongly encouraged. A minimum of a one-semester, college-level course in the visual arts, such as drawing, sculpture, graphics and/ or basic design, is required before beginning the first semester of study. Courses in the humanities, ecology, history of art, landscape architecture and architecture are strongly encouraged, although not required. Please see the 96-Unit Curriculum +3.

Admission with Advanced Placement (+2)
Applicants who have completed a non- accredited, pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture or environmental design may be granted advanced placement of one or two semesters, subject to the review of the admission committee. Applicants granted advanced placement may be able to waive certain course requirements for the MLA program by demonstrating equivalencies in any of the required courses. The program director and faculty in charge of the specific curriculum areas will determine the studio and professional course requirements for each MLA student admitted with advanced placement. The following courses are prerequisites to be completed prior to matriculation or, on specific notice, in the first year of the program: history of landscape architecture (ARCH 565 or equivalent), landscape architecture construction (ARCH 534, ARCH 535 or equivalent), plant materials (ARCH 537, ARCH 538 or equivalent), media (ARCH 548 or equivalent). Please see 64-Unit Curriculum +2.

Admission with a First Professional Degree in Landscape Architecture: Advanced Standing (+1.5)
Students who hold an accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree or the equivalent may be granted advanced standing in a post-professional 48-unit, three-semester sequence of studies.

Curriculum

Following is the program curriculum for the 2013-2014 Academic Year. For previous years, please consult the online Catalogue:

USC Architecture Catalogue 2012-2013

USC Architecture Catalogue 2011-2012

The official source of information for USC Academic Policies and Procedures is the USC Catalogue.

96-Unit Sample Curriculum +3

Students admitted with no previous professional education must complete 96 units, including 68 units of specified courses, 18 units of electives of which a minimum of 14 must be from the School of Architecture, and 10 units of Thesis Option I or II. Electives must be part of a curricular plan approved by the program director.

Year One, Semester One		Units
ARCH 537	Urban Plant Ecology: Environmental Perspectives	4
ARCH 539L	Media for Landscape Architecture	2
ARCH 541aL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 565	Global History of Landscape Architecture	3
		15

Year One, Semester Two		Units
ARCH 534	Landscape Construction: Topographic Design	3
ARCH 538	Urban Plant Ecology: Cultural Perspectives	4
ARCH 541bL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 548	Media for Landscape Architecture: 3D Design	3
Electives		1
		17

Year Two, Semester One		Units
ARCH 531	The Natural Landscape	3
ARCH 535	Landscape Construction: Performance Approaches	3
ARCH 542aL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 543	Research Methods	1
ARCH 544	Urban Landscape: Process and Place	3
		16

Year Two, Semester Two		Units
ARCH 542bL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 545	Urban Landscape: Contemporary History and Prospect	3
ARCH 635	Landscape Construction: Assembly and Documentation	3
Electives		4
		16

Year Three, Semester One		Units
ARCH 530	Landscape Architecture Practice	3
ARCH 642L	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 697aL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option II, or
ARCH 698aL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option I	2
Electives		5
		16

Year Three, Semester Two		Units
ARCH 697bL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option II, or
ARCH 698bL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option I	8
Electives		8
		16

64-Unit Curriculum +2 (For Advanced Placement students admitted with pre-professional design degrees)

Advanced placement students must complete 64 units, including 37 units of specified courses, 17 units of electives of which a minimum of 12 must be from the School of Architecture, and 10 units of Thesis Option I or II. Electives must be part of a curricular plan approved by the program director.

Year One, Semester One		Units
ARCH 542aL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 543	Research Methods	1
ARCH 544	Urban Landscape: Process and Place	3
ARCH 565	Global History of Landscape Architecture	3
Electives		3
		16

Year One, Semester Two		Units
ARCH 542bL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 545	Urban Landscape: Contemporary History and Prospect	3
ARCH 548	Media for Landscape Architecture: 3D Design	3
Electives		4
		16

Year Two, Semester One		Units
ARCH 530	Landscape Architecture Practice	3
ARCH 531	The Natural Landscape	3
ARCH 642L	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 697aL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option II, or
ARCH 698aL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option I	2
Electives		2
		16

Year Two, Semester Two		Units
ARCH 697bL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option II, or
ARCH 698bL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option I	8
Electives		8
		16

48-Unit Sample Curriculum +1.5 (for Advanced Standing students admitted with a first professional degree in Landscape Architecture)

Advanced standing students must complete 48 units, including 19 units of specified courses, 19 units of electives of which a minimum of 12 must be from the School of Architecture, and 10 units of Thesis Option I or II. Electives must be part of a curricular plan approved by the program director.

Year One, Semester One		Units
ARCH 542aL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 543	Research Methods	1
ARCH 544	Urban Landscape: Process and Place	3
Electives		6
		16

Year One, Semester Two		Units
ARCH 542bL	Landscape Architecture Design	6
ARCH 545	Urban Landscape: Contemporary History and Prospect	3
ARCH 697aL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option II, or
ARCH 698aL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option I	2
Electives		5
		16

Year Two, Semester One		Units
ARCH 697bL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option II, or
ARCH 698bL	M.L.Arch Thesis Option I	8
Electives		8
		16

Faculty

Gerdo Aquino

Adjunct Associate Professor
Tiffany Beamer

Lecturer, Partner, OLIN
Rachel Berney

Assistant Professor, former Interim Director MLA Program, PhD, ASLA
Vinayak Bharne

Director of Design, Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists, Adjunct Instructor, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, Lecturer, USC School of Architecture
Doug Campbell

Adjunct Professor, Principal of Campbell & Campbell
Regula Campbell

Adjunct Professor, RA, AIA, Architect, Principal of Campbell & Campbell
Mina Chow, AIA, NCARB

Lecturer
Emily Gabel-Luddy

Lecturer, FASLA
Robert S. Harris, FAIA, Hon. ASLA

Emeritus Professor of Architecture, ACSA Distinguished Professor, Director, Master of Landscape Architecture Program
Jerry Hastings

Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, ASLA
Ying-Yu Hung

Lecturer, Managing Principal, SWA Los Angeles, ASLA
Jennifer Jones

Consultant, Landscape Architect, Olin, Visiting Design Critic
Mia Lehrer
Travis Longcore, Ph.D.

Associate Professor (Research) of Spatial Sciences
Esther Margulies

Lecturer
Lauren Matchison

Assistant Professor of Practice in Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture Program Advisor, Director of Summer Exploration of Architecture Program
Robert Perry

Adjunct Professor, Professor Emeritus at California State Polytechnic University
Alexander Robinson

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Principal, Office of Outdoor Research (oOR), Director, Landscape Morphologies Lab
Brian Tichenor

Lecturer, Principal, Tichenor & Thorp Architects
Jennifer Toy

Lecturer, RLA OLIN, Visiting Design Critic
John Wilson, Ph.D.

Professor of Spatial Sciences and Sociology, Director of the Spatial Sciences Institute, Geographic Information Science & Technology Graduate

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Program 2013-2014