Curriculum

*Includes summers

The program’s combination of theory and practice is evident in both the content and sequencing of courses. Courses are listed as Foundation Courses, Studio Courses, Plant Materials and Technical Courses, and Internship.

Foundation Courses

In their first term, students enroll in two courses, one comprehensive survey of the history and theory of landscape design, and a studio based graphics course. These courses serve as a foundation for further study.

Plant Materials and Technical Courses

Conducted in the field, the plant material courses allow students to develop an extensive plant vocabulary. Students acquire an an understanding of plant characteristics, their ecological profile, habitat requirements, and maintenance needs, as well as a sense of how best to use plants effectively in the creation of beautiful, meaningful and sustainable landscape designs.

The technical courses introduce students to the plastic qualities of landscapes, train them to read topographical maps, and give in-depth instruction on site grading, drainage, and landscape construction.

Studio Courses

Four consecutive courses constitute the core of the landscape design curriculum. Progressing in a sequence of increasing complexity and difficulty, the studio sequence immerses students almost from the start into the world of landscape design with real sites, clients and programs. Through the studio experience, students develop their design expertise and broaden their artistic skill with exercises in drawing, graphics and planning, in the service of developing suitable and realistic solutions to given landscape design problems. Studio instruction includes one-on-one desk critiques with the studio instructor, site visits and occasional lectures. Presentation skills, both verbal and visual are honed, and student projects are subjected to the rigors of the jury system of critique.

Internship

In consultation with the program director, students secure internships, serving either as apprentices in professional landscape design firms or completing a practicum in a privately owned garden. Internships may be arranged locally or anywhere in the world. The minimum time commitment is 80 hours.

Time Commitment

The part-time graduate program is demanding and requires a significant commitment of time and energy.

Classes meet throughout the week primarily from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Studio classes and site visits are frequently scheduled on Saturdays. Students are expected to spend a considerable amount of time outside of classroom instruction in the studio.

In order to receive the master's degree in Landscape Design, students must complete all requirements of the degree within five consecutive semesters, including summer, with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.

Outline of the Five Semester Curriculum

The 34-point program is composed of 11 courses and an internship.

• Core curriculum: four studio courses (16 points)
• History and theory of gardening and landscape design: one course (3 points)
• Plant materials: three courses (6 points)
• Technical courses (drafting and graphic representation; grading and drainage; landscape construction and site details): three courses (6 points)
• Supervised internship (taken immediately prior to the last term of study): one course (3 points)

Term One

• LAND K4200. History and Theory of Gardening and Landscape Design.
• LAND K4210. Graphics and Landform Modeling.

Term Two

• LAND K4404. Landscape Design Studio I: Site Analysis and Schematic Design.
• LAND K4102. Plant Materials: Woody Trees and Shrubs I (7-week module).
• LAND K4112. Landscape Technology: Site Grading and Drainage (7-week module).

Term Three

• LAND K4405. Landscape Design Studio II: Design Development.
• LAND K4103. Plant Materials: Woody Trees and Shrubs II (7-week module).
• LAND K4113. Landscape Technology: Construction and Site Details (7-week module).

Term Four

• LAND K4406. Landscape Design Studio III: Planning and Design of Landscapes.
• LAND K4215. Internship.

Term Five

• LAND K4220. Advanced Planting Design Studio.
• LAND K4407. Landscape Design Studio IV: Residential and Smaller Scale Design.

Notes:

Students are expected to complete the program in five consecutive terms of study (including summers), beginning with the fall semester.
All classes meet evenings beginning at 6:30, except for Saturday sessions and field trips.
All studio classes meet twice a week for three hours each class session.
All other classes meet once a week, for either two to three hours.
Plant materials classes meet in the field; on Saturdays during fall/spring semesters; at night during the summer.