Department of Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture is a creative profession concerned with analysis, planning, design and management of the land at scales varying from whole regions to small individual sites.

landscape architecture design board
Photo by Jamie Coverini

News in Landscape Architecture

Graduate program: Master of Landscape Architecture

Established in 1972, the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program was the first graduate program of its kind in Canada. More than 450 students have graduated, many of whom now occupy senior positions in the profession.

Landscape architects integrate and apply knowledge of ecology, socio-cultural factors, economics and aesthetics to create environments that are functional, innovative, sustainable, appropriate and attractive. Desirable personal attributes include a creative imagination, problem-solving skills and good graphics and verbal communication skills.

The program requires a minimum of two full years of study to complete. Approximately 40 students are currently enrolled in the MLA program. They originate from all regions of Canada and from many other countries.

As of Fall 2024, students entering the program are required to complete between 39 and 69 credit hours, depending on academic background. Students with a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or a Bachelor in Environmental Design with a Landscape + Urbanism option (BEnvD, L+U) may be eligible to complete their program of study over two years, while other students will take three years to complete the program. 

Accreditation

The Landscape Architecture program at the University of Manitoba is an accredited program that has met the standards of the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council (LAAC). The LAAC team reviewed the graduate program in Landscape Architecture and granted the program a full six-year accreditation in May 2021. The program was found to provide the required instruction, faculty, facilities and financial support to deliver a sound program as demanded by the profession and the public. In 2024, the full accreditation status has been extended to February 2028.

Programs accredited by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) through LAAC are also recognized by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Courses

Students with a Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape+ Urbanism option) or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from another university

First Year, Fall and Winter

  • LARC 7040 Design Research (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7250 LA History + Theory (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7500 Digital Mapping + Analytics (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7530 Studio 3 (9 CHs)
  • LARC 7540 Studio 4 (9 CHs)
  • LARC 7560 LA Construction (3 CHs)

First Year, Summer

  • Elective Courses (6 credit hours) as approved by the academic advisor

Second Year

  • GRAD 7000/GRAD 7030 Thesis/Practicum (0 credit hours)
  • LARC 7570 LA Practice (3 CHs)

Students with a degree other than a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from another university or a University of Manitoba’s Bachelor of Environmental Design (Landscape+ Urbanism option)

First Year, Fall and Winter

  • EVLU 3004 Ecology + Design (3 CHs)
  • EVLU 3012 Site Morphology + Grading (3 credit hours)
  • EVLU 4000 Philosophy, Ethics + Aesthetics (3 CHs)
  • EVLU 4002 Construction Materials (3 CHs)
  • EVLU 4008 Plant Ecosystems + Design (3 CHs)
  • EVLU 4016 History of Landscape + Urbanism (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7510 Studio 1 (6 CHs)
  • LARC 7520 Studio 2 (6 CHs)

First Year, Summer

  • ARCG 7102 Studio Topics in Environmental Processes (6 CHs) (Intersession Studio) as required by department head or Elective Courses as approved by the academic advisor

Second Year, Fall and Winter

  • LARC 7040 Design Research (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7250 LA History + Theory (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7500 Digital Mapping + Analytics (3 CHs)
  • LARC 7530 Studio 3 (9 CHs)
  • LARC 7540 Studio 4 (9 CHs)
  • LARC 7560 LA Construction (3 CHs)

Third Year

  • GRAD 7000/GRAD 7030 Thesis/Practicum (0 credit hours)
  • LARC 7570 LA Practice (3 CHs)

Fall 2024 Laptop and software requirements

Software Requirements

Required:
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Microsoft Office
Required (Senior Years Only):
• QGIS (Version 3.34.8 LTR)

Recommended:
• AutoCAD
• Rhinoceros 3D v8
• Vectorworks 2024
• ArcGIS Pro (Requires a Windows laptop)

Pricing and availability of each software title is available on the CADLab website, under the heading “Software”.

Minimum Laptop Requirements

Windows Laptops (Recommended for ArcGIS compatibility):
OS: Windows 11
Processor: 13th Generation Intel Core i7 or faster
RAM: 16GB RAM; 32GB recommended
Graphics: Radeon RX or NVIDIA RTX
Display: 1920x1080 minimum; 4K recommended
Storage: 512GB SSD Minimum; 1TB recommended

Apple Laptops:
Model: MacBook Pro 14” or 16”
Processor: Apple M3 or better
RAM: 16GB RAM or higher; 32GB recommended
Storage: 512GB Minimum; 1TB recommended

Current students

Resources and requirements for students currently enrolled in the MLA program.

Contact Us

Department of Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Architecture
201 John A. Russell Building
84 Curry Place
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6

gradarch@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8769
204-474-7532