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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.

Visit Us!


Each year, we host in-person and virtual information sessions to give you an opportunity to learn more about our programs, get a tour of our facilities and labs, and help you visualize yourself as a Master of Landscape Architecture student. Attend an info session, meet with our advisors and program faculty, and get to know current students. 

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 Deadlines


Fall 2025

Applications Open:
August 1

Applications Close:
January 1 for International Applicants
February 1 for Domestic Applicants 

Note: Late applications will be accepted through May 1 and will be reviewed on a space-available basis and are not eligible for scholarships.

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.
  • Two 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: An International Credential Evaluation Report is required for any applicant who attended one or more academic institution(s) located outside the United States. All international credentials from the academic institution(s) located outside the United States will need to be verified for authenticity and evaluated by CU Denver or an external evaluation provider (ECE or WES). If you have questions about international transcript reviews, please contact our International Admissions office at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu or visit their website for more information: CU Denver International Admissions Office.
      • Applicants for the Fall 2024 term will have the option of choosing: CU Denver to authenticate and evaluate your credentials in-house. ECE or WES to authenticate and provide a credential evaluation report directly to CU Denver. (Applicant will pay the cost of the evaluation fee. 
      • Students who are admitted and enrolled in the program will be required to subsequently submit official college transcripts to the International Admissions office at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu.
    • 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.

Did You Know?

In-State Tuition is available to Western state residents.

CAP has WICHE-WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program) status. This means that students who are residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States are granted in-state tuition.

Learn more about WICHE-WRGP for Graduate Students >>

Meet Our Students

Katie Finnigan working in a garden.
CU Denver Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) student Kathryn (Katie) Finnigan is the recipient of the 2022 Landscape Architecture Foundation’s (LAF) National Olmsted Scholar, the most prestigious award for landscape architecture students in North America. This program offers a selected graduate and undergraduate student a large financial award, wide recognition, access to a network of growing leaders in Landscape Architecture, and unique opportunities to participate with LAF. This program selected students who showed exceptional leadership potential in driving sustainable design and societal benefits to positively impact our world.

Contact Us!

Want to learn more about our Master of Landscape Architecture program, have questions about applying, and/or want to visit us on campus? Meet our Advising and Admissions team.
Profile Picture Name Contact Information
_VRC1891

Jodi Stock

Manager of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment
for Graduate Programs

College of Architecture and Planning

CU Denver

CU Denver Building

1250 14th Street

2000

Denver, CO 80202


303-315-1000

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