The Master in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism at IIT
IIT MLA+U moves towards design justice to practice skills for tomorrow's equitable, participatory, and prosperous landscapes. The program emphasizes equitable landscapes rooted in ecology, history, and community involvement. It tackles climate change and advocates for equity, ecological, and cultural preservation while promoting worldwide ethical, technological advancement, and wealth generation.
Mission
We believe in landscape architecture education as a journey towards environmental and social justice through design, the knowledge of plants, and direct exchanges and experiences with the living world. Our process often lives in under-represented neighborhoods, habitats, and cultures to join ongoing initiatives to imagine and enact collective action.
Objectives
Design Excellence
Develop students’ ability to design innovative, beautiful, and context-responsive landscapes that advance environmental and social justice.
Environmental Stewardship
Foster a deep understanding of ecological systems and a commitment to enhancing the natural environment through equitable design.
Community Collaborations
Promote inclusive design through meaningful relationships with communities, addressing social, cultural, ecological, and economic factors.
Interdisciplinary Collaborations
Encourage cross-disciplinary teamwork to create holistic solutions to today’s complex landscape challenges.
Global Perspective and Cultural Competence
Prepare students to work globally by embracing diverse cultural perspectives and international design practices.
Goals
The MLA+U toward Design Justice at IIT offers a comprehensive education in landscape architecture, empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation for exceptional and equitable design practice. The program emphasizes environmental equity, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, global awareness, and cultural competence. These goals support our mission to advance environmental and social justice through innovative design and meaningful global engagement.
Accreditation Status
The IIT Master of Landscape + Urbanism program is a fully accredited Master’s Degree Program, having first received full accreditation in 2010. The program received its re-accreditation from the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) in 2016. We are awaiting the final decision letter after a successful re-accreditation in winter 2025.
Student Cost
Estimated cost of attendance, including fellowship, assistantship, and scholarship opportunities and other financial support options to reduce the cost of attending, are available on the IIT admissions website
Scolarships and Financial Aid
Illinois Institute of Technology offers a range of aid options for those seeking to pursue a graduate education including assistantships, scholarships, and federal loans. Institutional scholarships are awarded to those with competitive academic credentials. Assistantships are offered through academic departments and colleges with a focus on research and teaching. Federal loans may be available to those who qualify for federal financial aid.
Students will be considered for scholarships and assistantships upon application to the university. Approximately 30-40% of graduate students receive scholarships annually. Assistantships vary based on the availability of funds to support research and teaching activities and are highly competitive as a result.
Student Enrollment and Graduation rates
IIT’s MLA+ U program’s new student enrollment averages 8 students per year with additional students entering the BArch/MLA+U coterminal program. On average, the MLA+U program awards between 7-8 degrees per year both in the MLA+U and M.Arch/MLA+U dual program. An additional 4 degrees have been awarded this year in the new BArch/MLA coterminal degree program. Student retention is consistently high with an average of 75% retention rate over the last nine years. The expected time to graduate varies from 2-5 years, depending on the degree program.
Required and suggested materials + Equipment.
The MLA program at IIT emphasizes digital fluency alongside design excellence. During the research and diagnosis stages, students will primarily use QGIS and Rhino, with structured tutorials and workshops provided to support learning. Additional software commonly used in the program includes AutoCAD and the Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Students are expected to have access to a laptop or desktop computer capable of running design software efficiently. A mid- to high-performance machine with sufficient memory (16–32 GB RAM), dedicated graphics, and ample storage is recommended.
Optional but Recommended Materials
- External hard drive or cloud storage for backups
- Digital drawing tablet
- High-quality headphones for video tutorials
- Portable scanner or access to scanning facilities
Estimated Cost
- Personal computer: $1,500–$3,000 (depending on specifications)
- Adobe Creative Cloud subscription: ~$240/year (educational pricing)
- Optional accessories (tablet, external storage): ~$100–$400
Shared Resources and Alternative Access
Students who do not own all the required equipment will have access to the College of Architecture’s computer lab, which is equipped with all essential design software. IIT also provides students with free access to licensed design software where available. These shared resources ensure that all students can meet course requirements regardless of personal equipment.
Supplemental and Experiential Learning Opportunities Associated Costs and Potentially Available Subsidies
The MLA+U program at IIT enriches academic learning through lectures, fellowships, and hands-on community engagement.
Annual Lectures
All students are invited to attend the Alfred Caldwell, Peter Lindsay Schaudt, and Citizens Annual Lectures, which are free of charge and open to the public. These events bring leading designers, scholars, and activists to campus to explore critical themes in landscape architecture and urbanism. Each lecture contributes to a vibrant culture of dialogue, professional connection, and intellectual growth.
- The Alfred Caldwell Lecture honors the poetic and ecological legacy of one of Chicago’s most influential landscape architects and IIT faculty members.
- The Peter Lindsay Schaudt Lecture celebrates mentorship, collaboration, and design excellence across disciplines.
- The Citizens Lecture highlights global voices advancing environmental and social justice, often featuring returning participants from the Citizens Fellowship.
Citizens Fellowship
Each year, a select group of students participates in the Citizens Fellowship, which includes international travel, field research, and collaborative learning. In recent years, this has included study trips to eco-districts and urban agriculture initiatives in cities like Paris. Fellowship funding typically covers 50% of travel costs, with exact support varying annually.
Community-Based Projects
Students can also gain hands-on experience through ongoing partnerships with community organizations across the Chicago region. These opportunities support experiential learning while contributing to real-world projects that address ecological, cultural, and social needs. Standard internship compensation is provided.
Post-Graduation Employment
We are proud that a significant percentage our MLA+U graduates secure employment by the time of graduation or shortly thereafter. This consistent outcome reflects the strength of our curriculum, the dedication of our students, and the deep professional connections fostered throughout the program. Our community is a lifelong network—continually supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and creating new opportunities to collaborate and grow together.
Number of Licensed Faculty
There are two full time licensed faculty in the Program who are supported by 8 adjunct faculty who are licensed professionals.
Licensure Eligibility
In accordance with the Higher Education Act, The IIT MLA+U program meets the Educational Requirements for Licensure in the state of Illinois
Next Accreditation Visit
2025