University of Minnesota

MSLA Admissions

rotating images of landscape architecture

Applicants applying to any Master of Landscape Architecture program are applying to enter the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota. All application materials are submitted to the Graduate School except for the Portfolio, which is sent to the Department of Landscape Architecture.

All application materials must be submitted by January 15 2010.

Students should meet the following standards:

  1. Baccalaureate degree in arts, humanities, sciences, environmental design, landscape architecture.
  2. Minimum GPA of 3.0 [on 4.0 scale] is preferred.
  3. Students applying to enter the MSLA graduate program in Landscape Architecture must have an agreement from a specific LA graduate faculty to act as principal advisor in area of study.

Admissions Checklist

  1. Graduate School Application Form. Complete the on-line application.
  2. Official transcripts of all college/university coursework. Transcripts must be mailed to the Graduate School.
  3. The Landscape Architecture program requires that 2 essays and a resume also be uploaded to your on-line application. Please upload the following two questions and resume as one document at the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section and use the Other Information button.
    1. Describe a landscape that is meaningful to you. Reflect on the physical and experiential aspects of this space or spaces and on the thoughts and feelings that are associated with your sense of its meaning.
    2. Describe a sustainable landscape. Reflect on important cultural (including social and economic) and ecological components of this ideal or real place; and on what role, if any, design or planning may have (or had) in its creation.
  4. Graduate Record Examination [GRE] Scores. The GRE is required for the MSLA program. The UMN-Twin Cities Graduate School code is 6874.
  5. TOEFL [International Applicants only]. Submit scores from one of the four English language tests. Applicants must have a minimum score of 600 [TOEFL paper test]; 86 [TOEFL iBT test]; 6.5 [IELTS test]; or, 80 [MELAB test].
  6. 3 Letters of Recommendation. Letters of recommendation are processed through the on-line application. Applicants are encouraged to submit 2 letters of the 3 required letters from faculty members who are familiar with their aptitude for academic work.
  7. Portfolio. We strongly recommended that applicants to the MSLA program submit a portfolio of work showing artistic or design ability or facility with digital technology. Please follow the Portfolio Information link for more details.

An admissions checklist is .PDF format is available here. The Graduate School has a .PDF fact sheet for international students here.