- graduate studies
The First Professional Masters Degree program combines learning the basic skills and knowledge of Landscape Architecture in the early years with graduate work in the third year. Students are required to take five elective classes in their "Area of Concentration" and in support of the Masters project or thesis. This program begins in the third week of June each year.
The Department recognizes that graduate students, especially those pursuing the First Professional Masters Degree have special requirements. Based on their undergraduate courses, work experience, and background in design-related disciplines, these students may have competency in some areas, normally through previous course work or professional experience. Adjustments are made to the typical program of study for the circumstances.
Work undertaken in the two year Post Professional Masters Program is truly graduate work in landscape architecture and our students have the capacity to contribute original research to the profession. This program requires students to identify an "Area of Concentration" related to the topic of their Masters project or thesis. Coursework for theis program can be completed in the first year, leaving the second year to focus on the Masters project or thesis.
THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL MASTERS OPTION
Although requirements and time may vary with each individual, the following options represent typical situations:
Students with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
Students entering with a four-year (non-accredited) degree in Landscape Architecture are expected to spend a minimum of two years in the Department to earn the M.L.A.
Students with other degrees
Students with undergraduate degrees, but no background in design, can expect to spend a minimum of ten terms in the Department to earn the M.L.A.
Students with a five-year Bachelor of Architecture
Those with a Bachelor of Architecture are expected to spend a minimum of two years in the Department, although coursework is individually programmed to build additional back- ground in landscape architecture.
HOW THE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS:
The Department believes in the broadest possible participation by all members of this community. While there are, by necessity and choice, many decisions made by faculty, students share in the responsibility for making decisions regarding numerous factors that affect the Department. These include, for example: faculty hiring, lecture series, field trips, new course offerings, and course sequencing. The Department has a number of important meeting times that afford opportunities for participation by students and faculty. These include:
o Start of Term Meeting (everyone attends) - first studio meeting time.
o Department Meetings - 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday - 12:00-1:00 p.m. (open)
o Faculty Meetings - 1st Wednesday of the month (faculty only)
o End of Term Meetings (faculty only)
o Pre-Term Planning Meetings (faculty only)
o Spring Planning for Fall Meeting (open)
STUDIO PREFERENCING
Students may preference design studios (usually a choice between two options). The Department Head supervises the division of students into studios (typically a maximum of 15). First choices are guaranteed at least once per year, although in practice students usually receive their first choice. Prior to the first day of classes each term, students must complete a preference sheet and return to the Department office.
REVIEW WEEK
During Review Week (the week before Exams, also known as Dead Week), Architecture and Landscape Architecture classes are cancelled so that studio classes and Master's Project Presentations can be scheduled for final reviews. This is an important and informative tradition in AAA because it gives all students and faculty the opportunity to view and discuss all the work done during the term.
FACULTY ADVISING
All students entering the Department are assigned to a faculty member who acts as advisor for the duration of each student's period of study (students may change advisors at some future date if they desire). The primary role of the advisor is to provide advice and counseling on academic and departmental matters, including helping advisees prepare a program of study which satisfies Departmental and university requirements for graduation. Advising begins prior to registration. At this time the advisor is available at specified times (times are usually posted on the advisor's office door) to assist the student in course selection and registration.
The primary role of the student is to keep the Advisor informed about matters concerning the student's progress in the Department. This may include personal matters such as finances, health problems, etc. if these interfere with satisfactory progress in the Department. Advisors need to be informed about these matters so that they can act effectively as advocates for advisees should it be necessary. The time spent with a faculty advisor is left to the student's discretion. The student is expected to take the initiative in arranging such meetings as he or she requires them. However, on occasion, the faculty advisor may request meetings with the student. Consultation with an advisor is required prior to registering during the first term of residency.
The student-faculty advisor relationship is viewed as confidential so that both parties can feel free to be honest and candid in their discussions.
APPLICATION FOR ADVANCED STANDING IN A REQUIRED COURSE (WAIVERS).
Students wishing to apply for advanced standing (forms are available in the Department office) in required Department courses must make a written submission to the course instructor which provides evidence that the student has fulfilled the objectives of the course, either through courses previously taken or through work experience. Students must obtain written approval from the course instructor before advanced standing can be granted.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN THE DEPARTMENT
At the conclusion of Spring Term, the faculty conduct a review of each student's overall progress in the Department. If a student, in the opinion of faculty members, is not making satisfactory academic progress, the student will either be invited to a counseling session with the Department Head and advisor or will be advised in writing about the Department's concerns with regard to the student's work.
The following aspects of a student's record constitute grounds either for the Department's requiring the student to withdraw from the Department or for refusing her or him the right to advance into any year or session of the program:
i) Failing grades: see University Calendar for regulations governing good academic standing
ii) Two marginal passes in studio courses in one year.
iii) Overall marginal grades over the course of three years, which indicate lack of general educational attainment.
iv) Failure to take sufficient credits towards a degree
v) Failure to make satisfactory progress in the Master's Project.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Department has a limited number of Graduate Teaching Fellowships which are awarded each spring by the Department faculty for the coming academic year. GTF's include a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend for the term(s) they are awarded to a student. Because these GTF awards are compensation to students for teaching, they are awarded to students on the basis of their qualifications as teachers in the curricular areas they pertain to (e.g. Plants, Landscape Technologies, Landscape Ecology, Landscape Planning, etc.). They are usually given out to returning students, with occasional exceptions when an in-coming student is exceptionally qualified by virtue of prior academic and/ or professional experience. There are also occasional GRF's (Graduate Research Fellowships) available from funded faculty research projects which are also awarded on a competitive basis following an open search process.
SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition, the Department has a number of competitive scholarships. Applications for these scholarships are considered each Spring for the following year
Click here for more detailed scholarship information.
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