Frequently Asked Questions

The BLA and MLA are distinct programs though they both focus on learning design processes and practices as the core objective and share commonalities in their respective curricula. In particular, they share several technical and professionally oriented courses. If joining the Department as an MLA I (3-year track), students in their first year are enrolled in three introductory studios with the BLA class also in their first year. Beyond this initial year (in the three-year program), the BLA and MLA programs diverge with required studios and other coursework specific to each program. While both programs provide the practical and material training necessary to begin a career in the field of Landscape Architecture, the MLA program more deeply engages students in the theory and scholarship of the discipline. The MLA curriculum culminates with a capstone project focused on design as research. In the final year of the BLA degree, the curriculum culminates with a design-build project.

Applicants with a previous degree in Landscape Architecture or Architecture are eligible for the MLA II (2-year track) program. Applicants with a previous degree other than Landscape Architecture or Architecture enter into the 3-year track (MLA I). The Graduate Admissions Committee determines the appropriate program for each applicant through a close evaluation of their previous degrees, transcripts and work experience.

The Department offers a minor in Urban Ecological Design for undergraduate students.

No, the BLA and MLA are full-time programs. Students are expected to complete the program in three academic years (two years for the MLA II track). Many of the technical and material courses are taught in sequence and are offered only once a year. The department is looking for focused students, who will stay on track and complete the program on time. Students who choose to work part-time, will need jobs that have flexible schedules that may change from term to term. It is recommended that students work less than 20 hours/week as the majority of the studio courses are offered three afternoons a week for four hours each day. Students will need to arrange their work schedule around their courses.

There are no other professional Landscape Architecture programs in the Seattle metropolitan area. Other Pacific Northwest accredited landscape architecture programs are: BLA at Washington State University; BLA, MLA and PhD at University of Oregon; BLA at University of Idaho; and MLA at University of British Columbia. See the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architecture) Accreditation website for other accredited landscape architecture programs in the United States and Canada.

There are two Horticulture programs offered in the Seattle area, at Edmonds Community College and South Seattle Community College. These are not professional Landscape Architecture programs. They are considered vocational programs and only a few of the credits from these programs transfer to the University. To determine how credits from these programs would transfer, contact the office of the Academic Counselor, Undergraduate Advising Center.

The University of Washington accepts applications to all undergraduate and graduate programs from U.S. citizen, permanent residents (green card holders), immigrants, international applicants, and undocumented individuals. Admissions requirements and application procedures are the same for all applicants regardless of citizenship and visa status.

The Department of Landscape Architecture recognizes the value that diverse perspectives bring to education and the profession of landscape architecture. Accordingly, we are committed to improving our recruitment and retention of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff from groups that are historically underrepresented in our department and profession. Learn more about our commitment to Social Justice, Equity and Outreach and Diversity Resources.

No, but your general area of interest should be consistent with the department focus on Urban Ecological Design and the Program Pillars. Some students do enter the MLA program knowing their specific area of interest and retain this interest throughout the program. Some students change their area of interest once they start taking classes. Some students enter the program without a specific area of interest and develop one during the first two years of studio and coursework. MLA students should be open to considering capstone topics during their first two years in the program, gradually focusing in on their specific capstone topic. Consultation with department faculty, to find an area of shared interest, is an integral part of this process.

Yes, you must submit an application to each department if applying for a concurrent degree. You should consult each department’s website for guidance about application requirements as requirements differ between departments.

Yes, you can submit the same materials for both applications but be aware that each department reviews applications independently and requirements and assessment criteria are different between departments. The strongest application is one that is geared to the degree to which you are applying. If you would like to use the same letter of recommendation, we suggest you inform the person writing the recommendation that you are apply to two programs so they can address your suitability for both programs in their letter.

You can apply to a concurrent degree program when you initially apply to UW or once you are enrolled a degree program. However, the benefit of the concurrent degree program is coordination of courses between the two degrees so you can complete both degrees in less time (typically one year) than if you pursued them independently. If you wait to apply to a second degree after completing your first year, you may not be able to complete both degrees in less time.

The BLA program only requires that you have taken:

• L ARCH 300 – Introduction to Landscape Architecture (Autumn or Spring)

While not required, taking the following courses will allow you to more easily pursue the 7 quarter track instead of the full 9 quarters:

• L ARCH 341 – Site Design and Planning (Autumn)
• L ARCH 352 – History of Landscape Architecture (Autumn)
• L ARCH 353 – History of Modern Landscape Architecture (Winter)
• L ARCH 361 – Human Experience of Place (Winter)
• L ARCH 363 – Ecological Design and Planning (Spring)

The MLA Program does not have any prerequisites before applying. However, applicants may opt to take courses at UW or elsewhere as a way to show that you have researched your decision to become a Landscape Architect.

Hand drawing and digital graphic skills are fundamental in design communication and competency in design related software programs is beneficial. Although not required as students are taught these skills and programs through the BLA and MLA curriculum, entering the program with basic familiarity with one or more of the following software programs is helpful:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)*
• AutoCAD
• GIS (Geographic information system)

Students will also learn Rhino, Grasshopper, Lumion, and other design software during the program.

Many of the above programs can be learned online through your local library, or in courses at local community colleges and professional schools.

*If you are new to design software, we recommend beginning with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop or Illustrator).

Courses offered to those not enrolled in our programs are listed below. These courses may help you decide if this is the profession you want to pursue and/or can help lighten your load later on, if you are accepted into the program. These courses are open to matriculated (currently enrolled at UW) and non-matriculated (not currently enrolled at UW) students. For aspiring MLA students, only a maximum of 12 graduate-level credits (courses that are 400-level or above) taken as a Graduate Non-Matriculated student will count towards a future degree but you can take any of the courses listed below:

• L ARCH 212 Designing the Future (Spring)
• L ARCH 300 Introduction to Landscape Architecture (Summer and Autumn)
• L ARCH 322 Introduction to Planting Design (Spring)
• L ARCH 341 Site Design and Planning (Autumn)
• L ARCH 352 History of Landscape Architecture (Autumn)
• L ARCH 353 / 553 History of Modern Landscape Architecture (Winter)
• L ARCH 361 / 561 Experience of Place (Winter)
• L ARCH 363 / 563 Ecological Design and Planning (Spring)
• L ARCH 423 Plant Identification and Management (Spring)
• L ARCH 454 History of Urban Design (Spring)
• L ARCH 498 / 598 Special Topic Courses (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer)

Hand drawing and digital graphic skills are fundamental in design communication and competency in design related software programs is beneficial. Although not required as students are taught these skills and programs through the BLA and MLA curriculum, entering the program with basic familiarity with one or more of the following software programs is helpful:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)*,
• AutoCAD,
• GIS

Many of the above programs can be learned online through your local library, or in courses at local community colleges and professional schools.

*If you are new to design software, we recommend beginning with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop or Illustrator).

There are two options for taking courses at UW as a non-matriculated student prior to enrolling in a degree program. Courses are taken through the Continuum College’s Non-Degree Enrollment program:

•       Non-matriculated (NM)
•       Graduate non-matriculated (GNM)

If you intend to apply to the MLA program and would like courses that you take while non-matriculated to apply to your MLA degree should you later enroll, you need to register as a Graduate non-matriculated student and take graduate level courses (400-level and above).  The department offers a few courses each quarter that are open to GNM students; however, most of our courses are open only to students who are enrolled in the MLA program.  Also, only 12 credits taken as a GNM student may be applied to a graduate degree at UW. 

Tuition for non-degree students is per credit with one tuition rate for undergraduate level courses (100-499 course numbers) and one tuition rate for graduate level courses (500 & above).  Your status as NM or GNM does not impact tuition costs.  https://www.nondegree.uw.edu/tuition-fees/ 

Courses open to non-matriculated students

Courses in bold can be applied to the MLA degree program should you enroll at a later date.  LARCH 300 is an introductory studio-based course on landscape architecture.  Although the credits won’t count for the MLA, it is a great course to determine if a degree in landscape architecture might be the right path.

•       L ARCH 212 Designing the Future (Spring)
•       L ARCH 300 Introduction to Landscape Architecture (Summer and Winter)
•       L ARCH 322 Introduction to Planting Design (Spring)
•       L ARCH 341 Site Design and Planning (Autumn)
•       L ARCH 352 History of Landscape Architecture (Autumn)
•       L ARCH 353 / 553 History of Modern Landscape Architecture (Winter)
•       L ARCH 361 / 561 Human Experience of Place (Winter)
•       L ARCH 363 / 563 Ecological Design and Planning (Spring)
•       L ARCH 454 History of Urban Design (Spring)
•       L ARCH 498 / 598 Special Topic Courses (Autumn, Winter, Spring)

Step 1:  Apply for GNM status

Department application info:

•       Required materials:  apply through the Graduate School online application. 
  • •  Statement of Purpose – a clear concise statement which outlines your background and interest in taking landscape architecture courses (max. 1 page)
    • Resume or cv
    • Transcript for previous school(s) – only an unofficial transcript is required when you applied.  An official transcript will be required before you can enroll.
•       Priority application deadlines are listed below, however applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Please contact the department if you miss a priority deadline, we allow rolling admissions.
  • • Autumn quarter – Sept 1
    • Winter quarter – Dec 1
    • Spring quarter – Feb 1
    •  Summer quarter – May 1

Step 2:  Register for courses – https://www.nondegree.uw.edu/register/

Non-matriculated students can take courses open to non-majors through UW Professional and Continuing Education (UW PCE) at any time of the year. During Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, matriculated students have first priority for enrollment (see information on Non-Degree Enrollment). During Summer quarter, non-matriculated students have equal priority for enrollment. Any credit courses completed as a non-matriculated student are recorded on a transcript. If and when accepted to the University, there is a record of these courses.

For the BLA program, courses taken as a non-matriculated student will transfer to the degree.

For the MLA program, you must apply and be accepted as Graduate Non-Matriculated student by the Department. Additionally, only a maximum of 12 graduate-level credits (courses that are 400-level or above) taken as a Graduate Non-Matriculated student will count towards a future degree. See the Graduate School website for information about Graduate Non-Matriculated students.

UW PCE publishes a course catalog for courses offered through their program. Many of the certificate programs offered through Extension, however, are not considered credit courses. Examples include: Wetlands Science and Management, Screenwriting, Film and Video Production. Check with UW PCE to determine whether or not a course is offered for University credit.

Our Department offers professional degrees, approved by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board for both the BLA and MLA programs. This means that upon graduation you are eligible to begin the steps required for licensure as a professional landscape architect. In Washington State, you are required to work directly under a licensed landscape architect for a period of three years and pass the Landscape Architecture Registration Examination. More information about licensure for Washington and other states is available on the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) website.

The department encourages students to consider a professional internship, although the Department does not require or guarantee internships for BLA or MLA students. Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to acquire professional skills while in school as often internships are structured to introduce students to the wide variety of activities involved in professional practice. Our students and department are supported by an engaged professional community in the Seattle region, offering students the opportunities for positions in design firms, non-profit organizations, and public agencies in landscape design, planning, construction, and policy. Students may receive credit for internships whether the internship is paid or unpaid.

The department does not offer job placement services upon graduation. Students are generally well-connected and networked into the regional profession community through their coursework and through our Professional Advisory Council by the time they graduate. Alumni and employers often contact the department and individual faculty when they have positions available, and these opportunities are relayed to students. For the most recent numbers on what areas of the profession our graduates find employment, please refer to the BLA and MLA Fact Sheets.

International students must abide by the terms of their visa as related to employment while in the U.S. While enrolled in the program, international students are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and after graduating, are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Both are opportunities for off-campus work and internships. Both the BLA and MLA programs are STEM designated so graduates are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Information for international students at UW is through International Student Services.

Prospective students are always welcome to visit the Department, meet with faculty and current students, and sit in on classes. In fact, it is highly recommended. To make best use of your time, we recommend contacting the department at least 2-3 weeks before your visit to schedule appointments with the MLA or BLA Program Coordinator, the Chair and other professors, and to find out when and where classes are offered. It is best to visit when classes are in session during the regular academic year (Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters). We also offer an MLA Open House in early October, and several BLA Information sessions each year. Check the department’s website for the dates of the next Open House and info sessions and to schedule an appointment with the BLA or MLA Program Coordinator.

In general, the department and college websites are the best sources for information about CBE’s facilities and resources. Reach out to the program advisers to request information about virtual information sessions or to schedule an admissions advising session.

You can see our spaces through our Virtual Open House Tour [PDF] and Video Tour of MakerSpaces at CBE.