MLA Landscape Architecture at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The MLA is a professional degree accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), focused on ecological and social sustainability by design and on sustainable urban and landscape planning and design in tropical Asia-Pacific regions. An accredited degree is needed for professional licensure.

Faculty: School of Architecture | Department: Landscape Architecture | Duration: MLA I: three years; MLA II: two years; MLA I AP: advanced standing of up to two semesters | Study mode: full-time | Location: Honolulu, HI, United States

What you will study

The programme has three tracks: the three-year first-professional MLA I, the MLA I Advanced Placement track and the two-year post-professional MLA II.

Career pathways

Professional landscape architecture practice (licensure requires an accredited degree).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MLA I is open to applicants with four-year bachelor's degrees in any field. MLA I AP admits applicants with professional degrees in architecture or pre-professional degrees in landscape architecture, architecture or environmental design who may receive advanced standing of up to two semesters. MLA II is for applicants with professional undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture (BLA, BSLA or equivalent) that meet licensure requirements. Graduate Division English proficiency (applicants whose native language is not English; programme minimums may be higher): TOEFL iBT 61 (pre-2026 scale) or 3.5 (2026 scale), IELTS Academic 5.5, Duolingo 90.

Domestic applicants: USD 10,400 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Hawaii resident rate. Source

International applicants: USD 22,432 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Non-resident rate. Source

Graduate applications are accepted for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; Graduate Division begins processing applications from August 1 for the following Fall and Summer semester and from April 1 for the following Spring semester.

All graduate application deadlines are set by the graduate programmes and vary by programme; some programmes set priority deadlines. Most Fall applicants hear a decision by late March/early April and Spring applicants by November/December. Application fees are non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

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