MLA Program Admissions

The MLA application process is comprised of two basic steps: (1) a general UHM Graduate Division application and (2) submission of MLA-specific supplemental application materials.

General admissions procedures for the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program follow Graduate Division policy (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/prospective-students). Applicants for admission to the MLA must hold, or expect to hold prior to matriculation, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent degree from a recognized non-U.S. institution of higher education.

To be eligible, a first-professional MLA I track applicant must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree with a major in any field of study. A first-professional MLA I AP track applicant must hold a professional degree in architecture (BArch, MArch, DArch) or a four-year pre-professional bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, architecture, or environmental design. Additionally, a strong design portfolio is required for an MLA I AP applicant to be granted advanced standing of up to two semesters. A post-professional MLA II track applicant must hold an accredited professional degree in landscape architecture (BLA, BSLA).

All applicants to the MLA program need to demonstrate a GPA of 3.0 or above for undergraduate course work and for any post-baccalaureate or graduate course work. Minimum TOEFL score for international MLA applicants: 61 (internet) or 500 (paper); or minimum IELTS score for international MLA applicants: 6.00 for the overall band test results.

Eligible applicants might qualify for reduced tuition rates through WICHE/WRGP (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/wiche-program).

Application process:
Prospective MLA students seeking admission to the program are required to submit a general UHM Graduate Division application by the stated deadline (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/submitting-your-application). Please follow the instructions provided via UHM’s online application system.

In addition to the general UHM Graduate Division application, MLA applicants need to submit the following supplemental materials required by the program:

• Statement of Objectives
  (A short essay of approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for wishing to study landscape architecture at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa School of Architecture. Please include a summary of your primary educational and professional accomplishments, along with any volunteer and community service. Please indicate which MLA degree track [MLA1, MLA 1 AP, or MLA 2] you are applying for. PDF format.)

• Resume
  (A listing of educational background, professional experience or internships, and awards/honors. Other relevant experiences or skills as may be appropriate. PDF format.)

• Portfolio
  (PLEASE UPLOAD UNDER “SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL” TAB.
  Your portfolio should include samples of creative and/or professional work, such as art or craft work, construction work, graphic design, drawing, computer aided design, poetry, photography, examples of architecture/landscape design proposals that exhibit graphic or written creativity, or any other creative work. Please pay attention to your layout and identify and/or credit group, class, or professional work properly. “8.5” x 11” is preferred page size. Portfolio submission must be in PDF format as one multiple-page document at 300 dpi, not to exceed 15 MB in file size.)

• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
  (Via the ‘RECOMMENDATIONS’ tab below, please include three letters of recommendation endorsing your potential to succeed in a rigorous professional landscape architecture graduate program. Please be sure to have the recommender clearly identify you as the student for whom the letter is being written. We recommend that at least two of the three letters of recommendation be written by former undergraduate/graduate program faculty members.)

MLA application deadline:
Admissions to the MLA program (all degree tracks) is fall semester only, with a January 1 preferred application deadline.

For additional MLA program admissions or application info, please contact:

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