Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture

The Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture (M.Arch./M.L.A.) dual degree has been shaped in recognition of the fact that in the best circumstances, architecture and landscape work in synthesis to shape our built environment. This dual degree program provides core knowledge in both fields, while also emphasizing their shared territories and concerns, and ultimately preparing students to engage with the full complexity of the contemporary metropolis. By bringing the Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture degrees together, we embrace the integrative thinking that will address the challenges and opportunities set before designers of the 21st century.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted without conditions to the M.Arch./M.L.A. program, an applicant is required to possess the following:

an understanding of basic systems and analytical procedures, including mechanics, heat transfer, light, and sound, as demonstrated through the successful completion of a college-level physics course equivalent to Illinois Tech’s PHYS 200
an understanding of basic mathematical principles and analytical procedures, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, as demonstrated through the successful completion of a college-level mathematics course equivalent to Illinois Tech’s MATH 122
a basic ability to produce freehand drawings of architectural forms and spaces, as demonstrated by the successful completion of one college-level drawing course or by portfolio submissions
a basic understanding of design, as demonstrated by the successful completion of one college-level design course or by portfolio submissions
prior college-level coursework in freehand drawing, biology, and earth science (geology, physical geography, or hydrology, etc.)
a minimum of 45 semester hours (or the quarter hour equivalent) outside of architectural studies, either as general studies or electives with content outside of architecture

Candidates admitted with deficiencies in any of these prerequisites must fulfill them before matriculation. Candidates will be notified upon admission of their program of study, which is determined by prior academic training and professional experience, as well as portfolio content. Applicants must have a college grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Candidates who hold a B.S. in Architecture, a B.S. in Landscape Architecture (B.S.L.A.), or an equivalent pre-professional architecture degree, that partially fulfills NAAB (National Architectural Accreditation Board) requirements may qualify for up to one year of advanced standing in the professional degree program. For applicants with undergraduate degrees in architecture, the portfolio is the single most important component of the application. Project selection should be heavily skewed towards large-scale comprehensive design projects developed across several scales. Mastery of structural design, familiarity with advanced building technologies, and thorough knowledge of building practices should be clearly communicated.

Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses		(108)
ARCH 485	Structures I: Structural Analysis -- The System	3
ARCH 486	Structures II: Building Design	3
ARCH 500	Global Modernism	3
ARCH 501	Contemporary Architecture	3
ARCH 502	Advanced Topics in History and Theory I	3
ARCH 506	Design Communications I: Units and Order	3
ARCH 507	Design Communications II: Systems and Assemblages	3
ARCH 513	Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems for Architects I	3
ARCH 514	Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems for Architects II	3
ARCH 541	Architecture Studio I: Elements	6
ARCH 542	Architecture Studio II: Architecture in the City	6
ARCH 543	Architecture Studio III: Living in the City	6
ARCH 544	Architecture Studio IV: Working in the City	6
LA 501	History, Theory, and Criticism I: Landscape Architecture Theory	3
LA 502	History, Theory, and Criticism II: Landscape Architectural History	3
LA 503	History, Theory, and Criticism IV: Advanced Contemporary Theory -- Case Studies	3
LA 504	History, Theory, and Criticism III: Landscape Architecture Research Seminar	3
LA 514	Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture I: Entrepreneurship and Practice	3
or ARCH 568	Architectural Practice
LA 516	Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture II: Landscape Architecture and Time	3
LA 527	Design Media III: Advanced Modeling and Fabrication-Dynamic Processes	3
LA 541	Landscape Architecture Studio I: Processes	6
LA 542	Landscape Architecture Studio II: Site and City	6
LA 543	Landscape Architecture Studio III: Comprehensive Landscape Architecture	6
LA 546	Landscape Architecture Studio VI: Metropolis	6
or ARCH 546	Architecture Studio VI: Advanced
LA 565	Ecology and Materials Workshop I: Plants and Planting	3
LA 566	Ecology and Materials Workshop II: Earthworks and Infrastructures	3
LA 567	Ecology and Materials Workshop III: Planting Design and Construction	3
LA 568	Ecology and Materials Workshop IV: Constructing the Urban Environment	3
Architecture Electives		(3)
Choose a minimum of three credit hours from any ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.		3
Landscape Architecture Electives		(6)
Choose a minimum of six credit hours from any LA 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.		6
LA or ARCH Electives		(6)
Choose a minimum of six credit hours from any LA or ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.		6
Total Credit Hours		123

Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture with Advanced Standing (admitted with a Bachelor in Landscape Architecture)

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses		(63)
ARCH 501	Contemporary Architecture	3
ARCH 513	Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems for Architects I	3
ARCH 514	Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems for Architects II	3
ARCH 542	Architecture Studio II: Architecture in the City	6
or LA 542	Landscape Architecture Studio II: Site and City
ARCH 543	Architecture Studio III: Living in the City	6
ARCH 544	Architecture Studio IV: Working in the City	6
ARCH 546	Architecture Studio VI: Advanced	6
or LA 546	Landscape Architecture Studio VI: Metropolis
LA 501	History, Theory, and Criticism I: Landscape Architecture Theory	3
or ARCH 520	Introduction to Urbanism
LA 503	History, Theory, and Criticism IV: Advanced Contemporary Theory -- Case Studies	3
LA 504	History, Theory, and Criticism III: Landscape Architecture Research Seminar	3
LA 516	Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture II: Landscape Architecture and Time	3
LA 541	Landscape Architecture Studio I: Processes	6
LA 545	Landscape Architecture Studio V: Metropolis	6
LA 567	Ecology and Materials Workshop III: Planting Design and Construction	3
LA 568	Ecology and Materials Workshop IV: Constructing the Urban Environment	3
Required Architectural Technology Electives		(6)
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:		6
ARCH 480	Materials and Construction	3
ARCH 482	Material: Fibrous	3
ARCH 483	Material: Transparent	3
ARCH 485	Structures I: Structural Analysis -- The System	3
ARCH 486	Structures II: Building Design	3
ARCH 488	Long-Span and Special Structures	3
ARCH 489	Structural Systems for Tall Buildings and Long-Span Structures	3
ARCH 494	Topics in Advanced Technology	3
ARCH 509	Topics in Advanced Technology	3
ARCH 570	Talking TALL I	3
ARCH 571	Talking TALL II	3
ARCH 572	Tall Building Technologies I	3
ARCH 573	Tall Building Technologies II	3
Required Architectural History/Theory/Culture Electives		(6)
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:		6
ARCH 445	The Prairie School	3
ARCH 446	History of Landscape Architecture	3
or LA 502	History, Theory, and Criticism II: Landscape Architectural History
ARCH 456	Topics in Modernism	3
ARCH 470	Image City: Mediation of Space	3
ARCH 473	Conflict and Time	3
ARCH 491	Topics in Architecture History & Theory	1 to 6
ARCH 500	Global Modernism	3
ARCH 502	Advanced Topics in History and Theory I	3
ARCH 503	Advanced Topics in History and Theory II	3
Required Architectural Practice Elective		(3)
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:		3
ARCH 560	Integrated Building Delivery Practice/BIM	3
ARCH 561	Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Architecture	3
ARCH 563	Introduction to Real Estate Finance Fundamentals	3
ARCH 564	Comprehensive Opportunity Assessment and Entrepreneurship Development Project/Practicum	6
ARCH 565	Construction and Project Management	3
ARCH 566	Entrepreneurial Design: Sector Studies/Case Studies	3
ARCH 568	Architectural Practice	3
or LA 514	Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture I: Entrepreneurship and Practice
ARCH 569	Self-Management and Leadership	3
Architecture or Landscape Architecture Design Communication Elective		(3)
ARCH 508	Design Communications III	3
or LA 527	Design Media III: Advanced Modeling and Fabrication-Dynamic Processes
LA or ARCH Electives		(12)
Choose a minimum of 12 credit hours from any LA or ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.		12
Total Credit Hours		93

Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture with Advanced Standing (admitted with a B.A. or B.S. in Architecture)

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses		(72)
ARCH 501	Contemporary Architecture	3
ARCH 513	Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems for Architects I	3
ARCH 514	Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems for Architects II	3
ARCH 543	Architecture Studio III: Living in the City	6
ARCH 544	Architecture Studio IV: Working in the City	6
ARCH 546	Architecture Studio VI: Advanced	6
or LA 546	Landscape Architecture Studio VI: Metropolis
LA 501	History, Theory, and Criticism I: Landscape Architecture Theory	3
or ARCH 520	Introduction to Urbanism
LA 502	History, Theory, and Criticism II: Landscape Architectural History	3
or ARCH 446	History of Landscape Architecture
LA 503	History, Theory, and Criticism IV: Advanced Contemporary Theory -- Case Studies	3
LA 504	History, Theory, and Criticism III: Landscape Architecture Research Seminar	3
LA 516	Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture II: Landscape Architecture and Time	3
LA 541	Landscape Architecture Studio I: Processes	6
LA 542	Landscape Architecture Studio II: Site and City	6
LA 543	Landscape Architecture Studio III: Comprehensive Landscape Architecture	6
LA 565	Ecology and Materials Workshop I: Plants and Planting	3
LA 566	Ecology and Materials Workshop II: Earthworks and Infrastructures	3
LA 567	Ecology and Materials Workshop III: Planting Design and Construction	3
LA 568	Ecology and Materials Workshop IV: Constructing the Urban Environment	3
Architecture or Landscape Architecture Design Communication Elective		(3)
ARCH 508	Design Communications III	3
or LA 527	Design Media III: Advanced Modeling and Fabrication-Dynamic Processes
Required Architectural Technology Elective		(6)
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:		6
ARCH 480	Materials and Construction	3
ARCH 482	Material: Fibrous	3
ARCH 483	Material: Transparent	3
ARCH 485	Structures I: Structural Analysis -- The System	3
ARCH 486	Structures II: Building Design	3
ARCH 488	Long-Span and Special Structures	3
ARCH 489	Structural Systems for Tall Buildings and Long-Span Structures	3
ARCH 494	Topics in Advanced Technology	3
ARCH 509	Topics in Advanced Technology	3
ARCH 570	Talking TALL I	3
ARCH 571	Talking TALL II	3
ARCH 572	Tall Building Technologies I	3
ARCH 573	Tall Building Technologies II	3
Required Architectural History/Theory/Culture Elective		(3)
Selective a minimum of 3 credits from the following:		3
ARCH 445	The Prairie School	3
ARCH 456	Topics in Modernism	3
ARCH 470	Image City: Mediation of Space	3
ARCH 473	Conflict and Time	3
ARCH 491	Topics in Architecture History & Theory	1 to 6
ARCH 500	Global Modernism	3
ARCH 502	Advanced Topics in History and Theory I	3
ARCH 503	Advanced Topics in History and Theory II	3
Required Architectural Practice Elective		(3)
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:		3
ARCH 560	Integrated Building Delivery Practice/BIM	3
ARCH 561	Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Architecture	3
ARCH 562	Planning Law and Land Policy	3
ARCH 563	Introduction to Real Estate Finance Fundamentals	3
ARCH 564	Comprehensive Opportunity Assessment and Entrepreneurship Development Project/Practicum	6
ARCH 565	Construction and Project Management	3
ARCH 566	Entrepreneurial Design: Sector Studies/Case Studies	3
ARCH 568	Architectural Practice	3
or LA 514	Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture I: Entrepreneurship and Practice
ARCH 569	Self-Management and Leadership	3
BUS 510	Strategic Management	3
MBA 501	Financial Statement Applications	3
MBA 506	Leadership and Organization Design	3
Architecture Elective		(3)
Choose a minimum of three credit hours from any ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.		3
Landscape Architecture Elective		(3)
Choose a minimum of three credit hours from any LA 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.		3
Total Credit Hours		93

Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture Curriculum

Year 1
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
ARCH 500	3	ARCH 485	3
ARCH 506	3	ARCH 507	3
ARCH 513	3	ARCH 542	6
ARCH 541	6	LA 502	3
		LA 566	3
	15		18
Year 2
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
ARCH 486	3	ARCH 501	3
ARCH 543	6	ARCH 514	3
LA 501	3	ARCH 544	6
LA 565	3	LA 568	3
	15		15
Year 3
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
LA 504	3	LA 503	3
LA 527	3	LA 514 or ARCH 568	3
LA 541	6	LA 542	6
LA 567	3	Architecture or Landscape Architecture Elective¹	3
	15		15
Year 4
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
ARCH 502 or 503	3	LA 516	3
LA 543	6	LA 546 or ARCH 546	6
Landscape Architecture Elective³	3	Architecture Elective²	3
Architecture or Landscape Architecture Elective¹	3	Landscape Architecture Elective³	3
	15		15
Total Credit Hours: 123

¹: Electives may be chosen from any LA or ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.
²: Electives may be chosen from any ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.
³: Electives may be chosen from any LA 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.

Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture with Advanced Standing Curriculum (admitted with a Bachelor in Landscape Architecture)

Year 1
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
LA 501	3	ARCH 501	3
LA 541	6	ARCH 542 or LA 542	6
LA 567	3	LA 568	3
Required Architectural History/Theory/Culture Elective¹	3	Architecture/Landscape Architecture Design Communication Elective²	3
	15		15
Year 2
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
ARCH 513	3	ARCH 514	3
ARCH 543	6	ARCH 544	6
Required Architectural Technology Elective¹	3	LA 503	3
Architecture or Landscape Architecture Elective³	3	Required Architectural Technology Elective¹	3
		Required Architectural Practice Elective¹	3
	15		18
Year 3
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
LA 504	3	ARCH 546 or LA 546	6
LA 516	3	Required Architectural History/Theory/Culture Elective¹	3
LA 545	6	Architecture or Landscape Architecture Elective³	3
Architecture or Landscape Architecture Elective³	3	Architecture or Landscape Architecture Elective³	3
	15		15
Total Credit Hours: 93

¹: Refer to official curriculum for required elective choices or meet with advisor.
²: Choose from ARCH 508 or LA 527.
³: Electives may be chosen from any LA or ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.

Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture with Advanced Standing Curriculum (admitted with a B.A. or B.S. in Architecture)

Year 1
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
ARCH 513	3	ARCH 501	3
LA 501 or ARCH 520	3	ARCH 514	3
LA 541	6	LA 502 or ARCH 446	3
LA 565	3	LA 542	6
		LA 566	3
	15		18
Year 2
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
ARCH 543	6	ARCH 544	6
LA 567	3	LA 568	3
Required Architectural Technology Elective¹	3	Required Architectural Technology Elective¹	3
Required Architectural History/Theory/Culture Elective¹	3	Architecture/Landscape Architecture Design Communication Elective²	3
	15		15
Year 3
Semester 1	Credit Hours	Semester 2	Credit Hours
LA 504	3	ARCH 546 or LA 546	6
LA 516	3	LA 503	3
LA 543	6	Required Architectural Practice Elective¹	3
Landscape Architecture Elective³	3	Architecture Elective⁴	3
	15		15
Total Credit Hours: 93

¹: Refer to official curriculum for options or meet with advisor.
²: Choose from ARCH 508 or LA 527.
³: Electives may be chosen from any LA 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.
⁴: Electives may be chosen from any ARCH 400- or 500-level course with adviser approval.