MHP and MLA

Summary

In the Spring of 2018, the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (MAPP) and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) created a dual degree master’s program enabling graduate students to obtain both the existing Master of Historic Preservation (MHP) degree and the existing Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree in an integrated format. The proposed program enables graduate students interested in historic preservation and landscape architecture to complete these complimentary degrees by using courses in the partnering programs to satisfy specialization and elective requirements.   

The dual degree program builds on the unique strengths of faculty in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) by bringing together expertise in sustainable design, landscape performance, environmental behavior, with expertise in historic preservation. The program promotes interdisciplinary education by providing advanced knowledge of planning to landscape architecture students and advanced knowledge of landscape architecture to students in historic preservation.

Degree Requirements and Program Features

The Dual Degree in Landscape Architecture and Historic Preservation emphasizes the connection between the studies of Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture in the study and practice of cultural landscapes. Our program will prepare students for employment with longstanding programs in preservation and landscape architecture like the National Park’s Service’s Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) and the Cultural Landscape Foundation and other state and local parks facilities like the NPS Olmsted Plantation. 

Historic Preservation offers four other dual degree options and the Landscape Architecture Program offers a dual degree with the Community Planning Program in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. The dual HPLA master’s degree reflects the hybrid relationship of professional practice that frequently engages professionals from both fields. The dual degree provides students the opportunity to increase their professional opportunities in both academic and non-academic career fields, an increasingly important benefit in an expanding and demanding job market that value employees with multiple skill sets. 

The dual degree program allows students to complete both degrees, the MHP and the 2-year MLA in as little as five semesters and the MHP and 3 year MLA program in eight. Each program requires students take electives in complimentary fields. The dual degree permits students utilize the elective credits in each degree to meet requirements of the other degree. Upon completion of the program and the accompanying internship students will possess a diverse resume with experience in both the Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture professional communities. 

Applicants to the dual MHP and MLA degree must meet all of the application requirements for admission to both the MHP degree and the MLA degree.

Prospective HPLA students would need to apply and be admitted independently to both the MHP and MLA programs. If a student were only accepted to one of the two programs, he or she would only be permitted to pursue that specific program. Students would also have to meet the usual progress requirements for each of the two master’s programs to remain in the joint degree program.

Curriculum for the HPLA Dual Degree for students who majored in landscape architecture as undergraduate students (i.e. Post Professional MLA degree track for the HPLA degree).

Curriculum for the HPLA Dual Degree for students who did NOT major in landscape architecture as undergraduate students (i.e. the MLA First Professional degree program).

2 year MLA post-professional degree and MHP

For the 2-year MLA/MHP Dual Degree, nine credits of electives required of the MHP shall be completed by the required courses of the MLA degree. Likewise, six credits of the MLA degrees shall be met by the completion of the required courses in the MHP degree.

3-Year First Professional Degree Curriculum and MHP

For the 3-year MLA/MHP Dual Degree, nine credits of electives required of the MHP shall be completed by the required courses of the MLA degree. Nine credits of the MLA degrees shall be met by the completion of the required courses in the MHP degree.

Additionally, both programs require a final capstone project.  The Landscape Architecture capstone project meets the requirements of the Final Project in HISP, the 3 credits of HISP 710 and 711 are met by the completion of the LARC 799 Thesis or Capstone Project. A historic preservation faculty member shall be a member of the Thesis or Capstone committee and the project shall have a historic preservation aspect.

Admissions and Retention Criteria

Applicants to the dual MHP and MLA degree must meet all of the application requirements for admission to both the MHP degree and the MLA degree.

Prospective HPLA students would need to apply and be admitted independently to both the MHP and MLA programs. If a student were only accepted to one of the two programs, he or she would only be permitted to pursue that specific program. Students would also have to meet the usual progress requirements for each of the two master’s programs to remain in the joint degree program.

Administration

The Director of the MHP program and the Director of MLA program oversee the administration of the dual degree program.

 MHP and 2-year MLA Post-Professional degree

 MLA Requirements

6 Credits: Courses in Theory and History

15 Credits: Courses in Studio Design and Planning                  

18 Credits: Courses in Electives, Independent Study and Research, with Thesis or Creative Design project

MHP Requirements

33 Credits 

MHP and 3-Year MLA First Professional Degree Curriculum

MLA Requirements

12 Credits: Courses in Theory and History

33 Credits: 

Apply

Application information and deadlines can be found on the Graduate School's Admissions Requirements page. The program code is: HPLA.

Other helpful links:

Graduate School Catalog

Check out the MLA program Catalog Listing!

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