Master of Landscape Architecture

The UHM School of Architecture offers Hawaii‘s only LAAB-accredited professional landscape architecture degree. The field of landscape architecture comprises the analysis, planning, and design of natural and built environments. Landscape architectural practice presupposes a deep understanding of environmental systems and a commitment to the highest standards of design.

Landscape architecture is a STEM-designated discipline. A professional license is required to practice landscape architecture. An accredited degree in landscape architecture is needed for licensure. The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is a professional degree recognized by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).

MLA Mission

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa prepares its graduates to become leaders of the next generation of landscape architects. Trained in the extraordinary Hawaiian landscape, students are equipped with emerging tools and strategies needed to enhance a beautiful, resilient and healthy built environment.

As the only professional landscape architecture program in Hawai‘i, situated within a Carnegie R1 Land, Sea and Space Grant university, the MLA advances contemporary urban landscape design teaching, theory and practice in the state and tropical Asia-Pacific coastal regions with a dedicated focus on ecological and social sustainability by design.

Program Information

Its emphasis on contemporary, sustainable urban/landscape planning and design in tropical Asia-Pacific regions, where the majority of growth will occur in the upcoming decades, distinguishes this MLA from other North American landscape architecture programs.

Hawai‘i, with its rich natural and cultural history and manifold environmental and social challenges, provides a unique place of learning and opportunity for cutting-edge landscape architectural research, teaching, and practice. There is no other place in the United States where the aspirations of twenty-first century landscape architectural practice converge so seamlessly with the philosophy and culture of the local indigenous community.

To accommodate applicants’ varying levels of preparedness through their undergraduate education, the MLA program includes three closely intertwined tracks:

First-professional MLA Track (MLA I)

This three-year degree track is open to applicants with four-year bachelor degrees with majors in any field of study.

First-professional MLA Advanced Placement Track (MLA I AP)

In the MLA I AP degree track, applicants with professional degrees in architecture or pre-professional undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, or environmental design may be granted advanced standing of up to two semesters.

Post-professional MLA Track (MLA II)

This two-year post-professional degree track is open to applicants with professional undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture (BLA, BSLA, or equivalent) that fulfill the requirement for landscape architectural licensure.

Contact

For additional MLA information, please contact:

Judith Stilgenbauer, FASLA
Professor & Director of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program
jstilg@hawaii.edu

Admission

The MLA program invites applications from prospective students who are interested in rigorous graduate studies in landscape architecture and have the motivation to make substantial, innovative contributions to the field.

Applying to the MLA entails a two-step process comprised of (1) a general UHM Graduate Division application and (2) submission of MLA-specific supplemental application materials. The link below leads to detailed information about MLA program admissions standards, as well as required materials and steps in the application process.

MLA Accreditation Status

The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), at its February 9, 2023, meeting granted accreditation for the maximum-possible period of six years to the course of study leading to the professional MLA degree at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. LAAB accreditation is awarded on a time-certain basis. The program is next scheduled for LAAB review during fall 2028.

Professional Fee

In addition to UHM graduate tuition and fees, all UHM School of Architecture students, including MLA students, are assessed a professional fee in the amount of $500 per semester at the time tuition is paid. These fees help pay for the operational costs of the school’s IT Lab and Fabrication Lab. Students pay additionally for materials which are provided at cost.
The following link leads to MLA program tuition info (refer to “School of Architecture” header): https://manoa.hawaii.edu/registrar/tuition-fees/Graduate/

MLA Program Instructors

Full-time SOA landscape architecture faculty:

• Simon Bussiere, ASLA, AILA; Associate Professor
• Judith Stilgenbauer, FASLA; Professor

Part-time faculty:

• Andrew Kaufman, PhD, ASLA; Cooperating Graduate Faculty (Associate Specialist, UHM Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences)
• Priyam Das, PhD; Cooperating Graduate Faculty (Associate Professor, UHM Department of Urban and Regional Planning)
• Matthew Higa, ASLA; Lecturer
• Joel Kurokawa, ASLA; Lecturer
• Kyle Sasaki, ASLA; Lecturer
• Carol Diener Weber; Lecturer
• Charles Palanza; Lecturer
• Jay Moorman; Lecturer
• Kelsey Wai; Lecturer

Student Work

For current updates featuring MLA student achievement, please refer to the program’s Instagram feed (@uh_mla).