Master of Landscape Architecture Program revised for students admitted in Fall 2024
The Department of Landscape Architecture is pleased to announce the revision of the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree effective September 2024. All MLA master’s students admitted in Fall 2024 will enroll in the new program of study. Current students who have completed the required courses will not be impacted by the program change in Fall 2024.
Overview of the Changes
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree program was established in 1972. The 2024 revision is a response to the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council (LAAC) feedback following the program’s last modification in 2010. The changes mainly address areas for improvement, such as the program duration and core disciplinary content. It aims to bring the MLA program in line with its Canadian counterparts.
Changes in Detail
Several adjustments have been made to the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree program. One significant alteration is streamlining the entry process for the Master of Landscape Architecture Program. The two former entry cohorts of MLA 1 and MLA 2 students (hereafter named M1 students) have been merged, resulting in one combined first foundational year for students admitted to the program with a degree other than a University of Manitoba’s Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape+ Urbanism option) or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from another university.
Students with a Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape+ Urbanism option) or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture would be admitted to the program’s second year (hereafter named M2 students).
M1 students are expected to complete the degree in three years, while M2 students are expected to complete in two years.
Additionally, the proposal includes reducing elective credit hours and strengthening the core disciplinary areas by introducing new courses or additional content that is needed. These changes have been thoughtfully designed to enhance the program’s structure and content.
The revised Master of Landscape Architecture curriculum is detailed below. It comprises two design studios of six credit hours and six lecture courses of three credit hours in the program’s first year. In the second year, two studios of nine credit hours will be accompanied by four lecture courses of three credit hours. In the final year, up to three courses of 9 credit hours (3 credit hours required and 6 credit hours elective) would be completed in addition to the practicum or thesis.
Rational for the Changes
The Department of Landscape Architecture has carefully considered and planned the changes to the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree program.
It has addressed four areas of concern. These are:
- Encourage a greater and more diverse intake of students at each program entry-level
- Ensure timely graduation of students to align with other graduate programs at the University of Manitoba, as well as in other Canadian MLA programs.
- Increase graduate-specific courses to better differentiate the MLA from the Environmental Design (Landscape + Urbanism) undergraduate program
- Reinforce the core disciplinary content of the graduate curriculum
With these changes, the department intends to better meet its mission and address concerns identified in the most recent professional program accreditation reviews by the Canadian Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council (LAAC). The revision also formalizes former administrative practices, such as the case-by-case adjustment of program requirements for students with non-design academic backgrounds. The now clear pathway ensures that all students are well-informed and prepared for their academic journey.