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Connecting land, people and technology

As populations grow and cities expand, there is an increasing need for professionals who can combine advanced science and technology to predict how ecological interventions may affect both existing and new landscapes.

Enter the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from the Department of Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University (ISU). This accredited, three-year programme accepts students of all academic or professional backgrounds. The only requirement is an urge to sustain healthy, resilient communities and landscapes by combatting multidisciplinary environmental-cultural challenges with innovative designs.

At ISU, the journey to landing such roles begins with working alongside faculty, community officials, and technical experts. Students here also engage in participatory planning, academic research, and real-world learning experiences. This exposure ensures they are well-equipped to pursue licensure as landscape architects who are just as versatile as they are adept — armed with the practical skills to critically investigate how their competencies can shape the future of urban, rural, and natural environments. Graduates owe their adaptability to the MLA programme’s four focus areas.

Learn how green infrastructure creates oxygen, sequesters carbon, and nurtures wildlife habitat to improve the mental health and well-being of those who live within urban developments. Study the ins and outs of treating stormwater, mitigating flooding, and improving water quality to better their lives.

The Community Visioning Programme works with small communities in Iowa, providing the planning and design resources needed to make meaningful transportation improvements to the local landscape. The process involves participatory planning, academic research, and real-world learning experiences to guide communities in making informed decisions that reflect their values and identity.

These focus areas involve developing strategies to conserve water, protect food sources, prevent pollution, and mitigate flooding to improve the quality of life for humans, wildlife, and the environment. By integrating nature-based solutions like barrier islands and urban parklands, you can learn to effectively manage storm surges and floods.

Design technology can teach you to apply technology to cutting-edge materials and landscape processes to improve the efficiency, functionality, and health of the natural and built environments in the Midwest and beyond.

Statistics to know about Iowa

59

MLA graduates since 2014

96%

of graduates are employed or chose to continue their education

23%

of MLA graduates in international practice

67%

of MLA graduates in US practice

7^th

Most Hired From” landscape architecture programme in the country

125

in an annual career fair

Over

Hear from our students

Mahsa Adib

Anupam Bose

Naheyan Islam

An enriching education awaits at Iowa State University.