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Masters of Landscape Architecture

Masters of Landscape Architecture

MLA Program

MLA students take a series of lecture and studio design courses, beginning with an introduction to landscape design principles in the first year and culminating in an advanced research and studio design project in the graduating year. LAAB standards require that first-professional degree curricula must include the core knowledge skills and applications of landscape architecture: landscape architectural history, philosophy, theory, values, ethics, practice, planning, design, implementation, and management.

Career Directions in Landscape Architecture

What is the benefit of attending an accredited program?

In short-- you will be designing faster! Since Landscape Architecture is a field that requires you have a license to practice you need to fulfill the necessary requirements before applying for your license. 

With an accredited degree in landscape architecture you can take the licensing exam after practicing under a licensed landscape architect for:

  • 2 years

Without an accredited degree in landscape architecture you can still take the licensing exam after practicing under a licensed landscape architect for:

  • 4 years with an accredited 4 year college degree in another design field 

  • 6 years with a 4 year college degree in another field

  • 8 years with a high school diploma

LAAB Standards

To meet LAAB standards, the Landscape Architecture Program curricula includes coverage of:

  • Landscape architectural history and theory

  • Natural and cultural systems

  • Design theories, methodologies and applications

  • Landscape planning and management at various scales and applications

  • Site design and construction such as grading, drainage and circulation

  • Communication in written, verbal and visual applications

  • Plants and ecosystems at carious scales and situations

  • Construction materials, methods, technologies and applications

  • Professional practice methods, values and ethics

  • Computing applications and other advanced technology

Learn about Licensure Details of RequirementsLAAB Standards

MLA Curricula

Graduate Program

The Landscape Architecture Program offers two paths for completing a Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA). If you studied landscape architecture at the undergraduate level and received a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture, you qualify for the 2-Year Curriculum track. However, if you studied in another discipline at the undergraduate level, then you qualify for the 3-Year Curriculum track. Find more detailed information and typical 2-Year and 3-Year curricula on the following PDF files: (MLA PDF) Contact us to learn more! Also, please view our MLA admissions page to learn more about applying.

MLA Graduate Catalog

Typical 3-Year Curriculum 

(see MLA PDF for the 3-Year Curriculum)   

1st Semester - Fall Term   2nd Semester - Spring Term  
Course Cr Course Cr

LARC450 - Environmental Resources
LARC620 - Graphic Tools for Landscape Representation
LARC640 - Graduate Studio I

PLSC253* - Woody Plant Materials I

3
3

 

3

LARC621 - Digital Mapping and Drawing
LARC641 - Graduate Studio II
LARC663 - Landscape and Garden History

LARC720 - Environmental Analysis and Site Engineering
PLSC254* - Woody Plant Materials II

3
5
3
3

 

3

3rd Semester - Fall Term   4th Semester - Spring Term  

LARC642 - Graduate Studio III

LARC670 - LARC Theory/ Criticism

LARC721 - Landscape Const. Methods / Materials

5

3

3

LARC648 - Graduate Studio IV

LARC660 - Landscape and Identity

LARC671 - Landscape Arch. Research Methods

Specialization Elective 

5

3

3

3

5th Semester - Fall Term    6th Semester - Spring Term  

LARC420 - Professional Practice

LARC748 - Graduate Studio V

Specialization Elective

3

5

3

LARC799 - Master's Thesis Research or Creative Project

Specialization Elective

6

 

3

*Remedial requirements: 

Students may take remedial courses

prior to application to the program

or they may be taken in their Second year of Study.

     

 

Typical 2-Year Curriculum

(See MLA PDF for the 2-Year Curriculum)  

1st Semester - Fall Term   2nd Semester - Spring Term  
Course Cr Course Cr

LARC642 - Graduate Studio III

LARC670 - LARC Theory/ Criticism

Specialization Elective

5

3

3

LARC648 - Graduate Studio IV

LARC660 - Landscape and Identity

LARC671 - Landscape Arch. Research Methods

5

3

3

3rd Semester - Fall Term    4th Semester - Spring Term  

LARC748 - Graduate Studio V

Specialization Elective

5

3

LARC799 - Master's Thesis Research or Creative Project

Specialization Elective

6

3

MLA Student Thesis Projects

Ever wonder what kind of thesis projects our students worked on while here in our program? Check out the topics our students and alumni explored!

See Current Student Research See Alumni Thesis Research

Dual Degree - Community Planning and Landscape Architecture

Summary

Dual Degree Summary

In the Spring of 2015, 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 Community Planning (MCP) degree and the existing Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree in an integrated format. The program enables graduate students interested in community planning 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). As a graduate student, you will learn to combine expertise in:

  • Sustainable design

  • Landscape performance

  • Environmental behavior

  • And physical, social and economic planning.

The program promotes interdisciplinary education by providing advanced knowledge of planning to landscape architecture students and advanced knowledge of landscape architecture to students in planning.

LACP Graduate Catalog

Degree Requirements & Program Features

Degree Requirements and Program Features

The dual master’s program in Community Planning and Landscape Architecture (LACP) combines key elements of  the Master of Community Planning and the Master in Landscape Architecture.  Student have two options for the Landscape Architecture portion of the dual degree.  Those who did not major in landscape architecture as undergraduates will be enrolled the First MLA Professional Degree Curriculum.  Those students who already have a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture will enroll in LARC’s Post-Professional degree program.

The dual degree enables students to complete the MCP and either of the two MLA degrees in a shorter period of time that if they earned one degree first and then enrolled in the other degree program, as shown below.   

The current MCP degree requires the completion of 48 credit hours, while the current MLA degree requires 39 credits for a two-year post-professional degree and 70 credit hours (plus 6 credits at the 200 level) for a three-year first professional degree. This means that completing  both degrees separately (one after the other) would require:

  • 87 credits hours for the MCP and the 2 year MLA post-professional degree; or

  • 118 credit hours for the MCP and the 3 year MLA first professional degree.

By participating in the dual degree program, the credit hour requirements would be:

  • 60 credit hours for the MCP and the 2 year MLA post-professional degree; or

  • 91 credit hours for the MCP and the 3 year MLA first professional degree.

The reduction in total credits from 87 to 60 credits for the 2 year MLA post-professional degree and MCP is achieved by counting courses towards both programs. 12 credits of the current MLA program would be satisfied by counting URSP or RDEV as courses. 15 credits of landscape architecture courses count as electives for the Master of Community Planning degree.  This amount of double-counting for the proposed MCP/MLA program is possible because of the complimentary missions of the two underlying degrees.  The same type of double counting applies to the dual degree for students in the post-professional MLA program.

Admissions and Retention Criteria

Admission and Retention Requirements

Prospective LACP students need to apply and be admitted independently to both the MCP 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.

Director of the MCP program and the Director of MLA program oversee the administration of the dual degree program.

MCP and 2-year MLA Post-Professional degree

 MLA Requirements

6 Credits: Courses in Theory and History

Course Credits
LARC 670 - Theory & Criticism    3
LARC 671 - Research Methods 3

 

15 Credits: Courses in Studio Design and Planning                  

Course Credits
LARC 642 - Graduate Studio III 5
LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV 5
LARC 748 - Graduate Studio V 5

 

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

Course Credits
Elective 3
LARC 799 - Thesis or Creative Project 6
(9 credits to be satisfied by URSP or RDEV)  

 

MCP Requirements

30 Credits in core courses in city and regional planning knowledge and skills development

 Course  Credits
URSP 600 - Research Design 3
URSP 601 - Research Methods 3
URSP 603 - Land Use Planning  3
URSP 604 - Planning Process   3
URSP 605 - Planning History and Theory 3
URSP 606 - Microeconomics or RDEV 688N Microeconomics 3
URSP 673 - Community Social Planning, OR URSP 688Z-Planning and Design in the Multicultural Metropolis  3
URSP 708 - Community Planning Studio 6
URSP 709 - Field Instruction (Internship)   3
Total Credits for proposed dual LACP degree (18 Credits - Satisfied by LARC courses) 60

 

MCP and 3-Year MLA First Professional Degree Curriculum

MLA Requirements

12 Credits: Courses in Theory and History

Course Credits
LARC 670 - Theory & Criticism 3
LARC 671 - Research Methods 3
LARC 663 - Landscape and Garden History 3
LARC 460 - Landscape and Identity 3

 

25 Credits: Courses in Studio Design and Planning

Course Credits
LARC 640 - Graduate Studio I 5
LARC 641 - Graduate Studio II    5
LARC 642 - Graduate Studio III  5
LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV   5
LARC 748 - Graduate Studio V 5

 

15 Credits: Courses in Graphic Communication and Practice Technology

Course Credits
LARC 620 - Graphic Tools  3
LARC 621 - Digital Mapping & Drawing 3
LARC 720 - Analysis and Site Engineering 3
LARC 721 - Landscape Construction 3
LARC 420 - Professional Practice 3

 

3 Credits: Courses in Ecology and Plant and Soil Sciences  

 Course Credits
LARC 450 - Environmental Resources  3

 

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

Course Credits
Elective 3
LARC 799 - Thesis or Creative Project 6
9 credits to be satisfied by URSP or RDEV  

 

MCP Requirements

30 Credits: Core courses in city and regional planning knowledge and skills development

Course Credits
URSP 600 - Research Design 3
URSP 601 - Research Methods 3
URSP 603 - Land Use Planning 3
URSP 604 - Planning Process 3
URSP 605 - Planning History and Theory 3
URSP 606 - Microeconomics, OR                       

URSP 673 - Community Social Planning, OR                  

URSP 688Z - Planning and Design in the

Multicultural Metropolis
3
URSP 708 - Community Planning Studio 6
URSP 709 - Field Instruction (Internship) 3
9 Credits: “Specialization”- Satisfied by LARC courses 6
9 Credits: Other electives- Satisfied by LARC courses 3
Total Credits for proposed MCP and MLA 91

Curriculum

2-Year Curriculum for LACP Dual Degree

A Post Professional MLA degree track for the LACP degree

If you studied landscape architecture at the undergraduate level and received a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture, you qualify for the 2-Year Curriculum track. We reduce the total credits from 87 to 60 credits by counting courses towards both program. 12 credits of the current MLA program would be satisfied by counting URSP or RDEV as courses. 18 credits of landscape architecture courses count as elective credits for the MCP degree. This amount of double-counting for the MCP/MLA program is possible because of the complimentary missions of the two underlying degrees.  

(Note that the URSP 688L - Planning Technology class would not be required for students in the joint degree because of the MLA required course LARC 620-621.)

1st Semester - Fall Term   2nd Semester - Spring Term  
Course Cr Course Cr

URSP600 - Research Design
URSP605 - History & Theory
LARC642 - Graduate Studio III

LARC670 - Theory & Criticism

3
3
5  

3

URSP601 - Research Methods
URSP604 - Planning Process
LARC648 - Graduate Studio IV

LARC671 - Research Methods

3
3
5

3

*Summer Session I    Summer Session II  
URSP705 - Comm. Plan Studio 4 URSP706 - Comm. Plan Studio 2
4th Semester - Fall Term   5th Semester - Spring Term  

URSP606 - Microeconomics
URSP673 - Social Planning

LARC748 - Graduate Studio V

3
3

3

URSP688Z - Planning... in Multicultural Metropolis

[or Elective]
URSP603 - Land Use Planning
URSP708* - Land Use Planning Community

Planning Studio 

*If not taken over the summer.

3

 

3

3

6th Semester - Fall Term      
LARC799 - Thesis or Creative Project
Elective
URSP709** - Internship

6
3

0 or 3

   

*(Note:  URSP 705 + URSP 706 in

summer sessions are equivalent to

URSP 708 offered in Fall or Spring semester)

     

 

3-Year Curriculum for LACP Dual Degree

The MLA First Professional degree program

If you studied in another discipline at the undergraduate level, then you qualify for the 3-Year Curriculum track. We are able to reduce the total credits from 118 to 91 credits through the same method as used for the 2 year MLA post-professional degree described above. 

 (Note that the URSP 688L - Planning Technology class would not be required for students in the joint degree because of the MLA required course LARC 620-621.)

1st Semester - Fall Term   2nd Semester - Spring Term  
Course Cr Course Cr

LARC450 - Environmental Resources
LARC620 - Graphic Tools for Landscape

Representation
LARC640 - Graduate Studio I

URSP605 - History and Theory 

PLSC253 - Woody Plant Materials I

(Remedial Requirement)

3
3

 

5

3

3

LARC621 - Digital Mapping and Drawing
LARC641 - Graduate Studio II

LARC663 - Landscape and Garden History
LARC720 - Environmental Analysis

and Site Engineering
PLSC254 - Woody Plant Materials II

(Remedial Requirement)

3
5
3
3
 

3

3rd Semester - Fall Term   4th Semester - Spring Term  

URSP600 - Research Design and

Application
LARC642 - Graduate Studio III
LARC670 - Theory and Criticism

LARC721 - Landscape Construction

3

 

5
3

3

URSP601 - Research Methods
URSP604 - The Planning Process

LARC648 - Graduate Studio IV
LARC671 - Landscape Architecture

Research Methods

3

3

5

3

Summer Session I   Summer Session II  
URSP705* - Comm. Plan Studio 4 URSP706* - Comm. Plan Studio 2

(*Note: URSP 705 + URSP 706 in

summer sessions, are equivalent

to URSP 708 offered in Fall or

Spring semester)

     
5th Semester - Fall Term   6th Semester - Spring Term  

LARC420 - Professional Practice

URSP606 -  Microeconomics

LARC460 - Landscape and Identity
LARC748 - Graduate Studio V

3

3

3

5

URSP603 - Land Use Planning

URSP688Z - Planning and Design in

Multicultural Metropolis

URSP708* - Community Planning Studio

3

3

 

6

7th Semester - Fall Term      

LARC799** - Thesis or Creative Project

Community Social Planning Internship

6

3

0 or 3

   

* Student will be encouraged to take

remedial courses (or equivalent courses)

prior to initiating the program.

 

 

** Internship requirement could be met during

any summer after the second semester. Students

are not required to take the internship for

course credit.

 

Dual Degree - Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture

Summary

Dual Degree 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 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

  • And 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.

HPLA Graduate Catalog

Degree Requirements & Program Features

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.

Admissions and Retention Requirements

Admissions and Retention Requirements

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

Course Credits
LARC 670 - Theory & Criticism    3
LARC 671 - Research Methods 3

 

15 Credits: Courses in Studio Design and Planning                  

Course Credits
LARC 642 - Graduate Studio III 5
LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV 5
LARC 748 - Graduate Studio V 5

 

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

Course Credits
LARC 799 - Thesis or Creative Project (Meets HISP 710 & 711) 6
(12 credits to be satisfied by HISP courses)  

 

MHP Requirements

33 Credits 

 Course  Credits
HISP 600 - History, Theory and Practice of Historic Preservation 3
HISP 611 - Historical Research Methods 3
HISP 630 - Preservation Planning & Policy 3
HISP 635 - Social & Ethnic Issues in HP 3
HISP 640 - Preservation Law 3
HISP 650 - Preservation Studio 5
HISP 655 - American Vernacular Arch. 4
HISP 670 - Conservation of Historic Buildings 3
HISP 680 - Preservation Economics 3
HISP 690 - Preservation Management and Practice 2
HISP TOTAL CREDITS 33
Total Credits for proposed dual HPLA degree (9 Credits - Satisfied by LARC courses) 60

 

MHP and 3-Year MLA First Professional Degree Curriculum

MLA Requirements

12 Credits: Courses in Theory and History

Course Credits
LARC 670 - Theory & Criticism 3
LARC 671 - Research Methods 3
LARC 663 - Landscape and Garden History 3
LARC 460 - Landscape and Identity 3

 

25 Credits: Courses in Studio Design and Planning

Course Credits
LARC 640 - Graduate Studio I 5
LARC 641 - Graduate Studio II    5
LARC 642 - Graduate Studio III  5
LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV   5
LARC 748 - Graduate Studio V 5

 

15 Credits: Courses in Graphic Communication and Practice Technology

Course Credits
LARC 620 - Graphic Tools  3
LARC 621 - Digital Mapping & Drawing 3
LARC 720 - Analysis and Site Engineering 3
LARC 721 - Landscape Construction 3
LARC 420 - Professional Practice 3

 

3 Credits: Courses in Ecology and Plant and Soil Sciences  

 Course Credits
LARC 450 - Environmental Resources  3

 

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

Course Credits
LARC 799 - Thesis or Creative Project 6
9 credits to be satisfied by HISP Courses  

MHP Requirements

33 Credits: 

Course Credits

HISP 600 - History, Theory and Practice of Historic Preservation 

HISP 611 - Historical Research Methods 

HISP 630 - Preservation Planning & Policy 

HISP 635 - Social & Ethnic Issues in HP 

HISP 640 - Preservation Law

HISP 650 - Preservation Studio 

HISP 655 - American Vernacular Arch. 

HISP 670 - Conservation of Historic Buildings 

HISP 680 - Preservation Economics 

HISP 690 - Preservation Management and Practice

9 credits of Electives - LARC Courses

3

3

3

3

3

6

4

3

3

2

HISP TOTAL CREDITS

33

Total Credits for proposed MHP and MLA 94

Curriculum

2-Year Curriculum for the HPLA Dual Degree 

A Post Professional MLA degree track for the HPLA degree.

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.

1st Semester - Fall Term   2nd Semester - Spring Term  
Course Cr Course Cr

HISP 600 - History and Theory of HP
HISP 611 - Hist. Research Meth.
LARC 642 - Graduate Studio III
LARC 670 - Theory & Criticism

3
3
5
3

HISP 630 - Policy & Planning
HISP 635 - Social and Ethnic Issues
LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV

LARC 671 - Research Methods

3
3
5

3

*Summer Session I   

Internship

0
3rd Semester - Fall Term   4th Semester - Spring Term  

HISP 655 - American Vernacular Arch.
HISP 680 - Preservation Economics
LARC 748 - Graduate Studio V

4
3

5

HISP 640 - Preservation Law
HISP 690 - Pres. Management & Practice
HISP 670 - Conservation of Hist. Bldgs.

LARC 799 - Thesis or Capstone Project

3
2
3

3

5th Semester - Fall Term  

HISP 650 - Preservation Studio

LARC 799 - Thesis or Creative Project

6

3

 

3-Year Curriculum for the HPLA Dual Degree

The MLA First Professional degree program.

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.

1st Semester - Fall Term   2nd Semester - Spring Term  
Course Cr Course Cr

LARC 450 - Environmental Resources
LARC 620 - Graphic Tools
LARC 640 - Graduate Studio I

HISP 600 - History and Theory of HP

3
3
5

3

LARC 621 - Digital Mapping & Drawing
LARC 641 - Graduate Studio II

LARC 663 - Landscape and Garden History
LARC 720 - Analysis & Site Engineering

3
5
3

3

Summer Semester  

Internship

0
3rd Semester - Fall Term   4th Semester - Spring Term  

HISP 611 - Hist. Research Meth.
LARC 642 - Graduate Studio III
LARC 721 - Landscape Construction
LARC 670 - Theory & Criticism

3
5
3

3

HISP 630 - Policy & Planning

HISP 635 - Social and Ethnic Issues
LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV
LARC 671 - Research Methods

3
3

5
3

5th Semester - Fall Term   6th Semester - Spring Term  

HISP 655 - American Vernacular Arch.
HISP 680 - Preservation Economics

LARC 460 - Landscape and Identity
LARC 748 - Graduate Studio V

4
3
3

5

HISP 640 - Preservation Law
HISP 690 - Pres. Management & Practice

HISP 670 - Conservation of Hist. Bldgs.

3
2

3

7th Semester - Fall Term   8th Semester - Spring Term  

HISP 650 - Preservation Studio

LARC 420 - Professional Practice

6

3

LARC 799 - Thesis or Creative Project 6