Master of Landscape Architecture Admissions

The Master of Landscape Architecture at CU Denver is a fully accredited, STEM-designated degree program for professional degree-seeking students with a bachelor's degree, and post-professional students (those already holding a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture or Bachelor of Architecture degree). Our program balances theory and practice and emphasizes design to support human well-being and environmental balance.

Application Information

The College of Architecture and Planning welcomes applications to our Master of Landscape Architecture program from students with a variety of professional and educational backgrounds. The faculty-led selection process aims to admit students who are likely to succeed in completing the requirements for the degree and whose interests fit with the program’s educational capacities. All of the required application materials help us to evaluate your potential for graduate study and to pair your interests with our strengths. No one component ensures or precludes admission; judgment is based on the entire application packet.

The Landscape Architecture program encourages applicants from diverse fields of undergraduate study, including the liberal arts and sciences as well as the design and planning disciplines. Students entering the program recently have held degrees in the following areas: 

• ​Landscape Architecture
• Architecture
• Urban Design
• Environmental Design
• Fine Arts
• Geography
• Environmental Studies
• Sociology
• Environmental Psychology
• Business
• Horticulture
• Ecology Anthropology
• Public Health

Application Requirements

• Online application
• Application fee ($50 for domestic applicants, $75 for international applicants)
• A resume that documents your education and professional background.
• Statement of purpose in which you discuss your interest in the Master of Landscape Architecture program and CU Denver.
• Three letters of recommendation: You will submit the contact information in your application for three instructors or other professionals who can attest to your potential for our MLA program. They will receive an email from CU Denver with a link to upload their letters directly to your application.
• Transcript(s):
  • Domestic transcripts: Transcripts from each institution you have attended, except for study abroad courses, should be sent to the following:
    • Electronic Transcripts: cap-admissions@ucdenver.edu
    • Mailing Address:
      College of Architecture and Planning
      University of Colorado Denver
      Campus Box 126
      P.O. Box 173364
      Denver, CO 80217-3364
  • International transcripts: Do not submit transcripts from foreign (non-US) institutions to CU Denver. Instead, you must provide an international credential evaluation report from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). You will send your transcripts to the evaluation provider of your choice, and the provider will send their evaluation report to CU Denver. After you submit your application, our International Admissions office will send you an email with a link to the specific landing pages where you can order your report for CU Denver’s use. ECE or WES will charge you for this service. The cost is $163 to $208, depending on your chosen service, plus delivery fees. If this cost is prohibitive, please contact us at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu. If you have questions about the international credential evaluation, please contact International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu or read our FAQs.
  • Students who are admitted and enrolled in the program will be required to subsequently submit official college transcripts. Notifications will be sent out prior to the start of the semester.
• International applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency. You can view required scores on the Office of International Admissions website.
• GRE (not required, but recommended if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0).
• Portfolio that showcases your best work. Portfolios are submitted through the online application. Students with a degree in landscape architecture are expected to include studio work. Students with no background in landscape architecture should demonstrate their creative abilities through whatever media they are comfortable. Portfolios should be designed for viewing on a computer screen. Please avoid double page spreads.
• Students admitted into this program must have completed a Bachelor’s degree before they will be able to begin this program. An official conferred degree transcript is required by the university. For additional information, please see Graduate Program Policies and Procedures.

Meet Our Students

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