Overview of Academic Programs
The University of Oregon offers several different degree tracks within the Department of Landscape Architecture, including the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA), Master's of Landscape Architecture (MLA), and the Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture. Undergraduate students may enter the program as freshmen or may transfer to the program from another college-level program. Most transfer students enter the program at the second year level. Advanced transfer students must have completed landscape architecture coursework and are placed into an appropriate level in the program.
Graduate students wishing to pursue a Master's degree who enter the program with a Bachelor's degree from a non-design field, or from a non-accredited program in landscape architecture, enter the First Professional Master's Degree program, a three years plus one term program of study. Because graduate students are not required by the university to take general education classes, we offer a very intense first year program geared toward accelerating the graduate students in their professional education by the end of that introductory year. By that point the First Professional Master's students have established a fundamental introductory understanding of design, media, plant materials, site analysis and landscape technologies and move on to more advanced coursework and graduate studies in the second and third years.
Graduate students entering the program with an accredited degree in landscape architecture or a closely related design discipline may pursue the two-year Post Professional MLA program, an advanced degree for individuals wishing to pursue an in-depth investigation of a specific area within the field. MLA students (both first professional and post professional) must complete a Master's Project as their capstone project.
Graduate students who have previously completed a professional degree in landscape architecture or architecture (B.L.A., M.L.A., B.ARCH. or M.ARCH.), or a master's degree (e.g., M.A. or M.S.) from a related field can choose to pursue a Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture. Doctoral students must complete both written and oral exams as well as a dissertation to be awarded the Ph.D.
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How the Department Functions
The Department believes in the broadest possible participation by all members of this community. While there are, by necessity and choice, many decisions made by faculty, students share in the responsibility for making decisions regarding numerous factors that affect the Department. These include, for example; faculty hiring, lecture series, field trips, new course offerings, and course sequencing. The Department has a number of important meeting times that afford opportunities for participation by students and faculty.
These include:
- Start of Term Meeting (everyone attends) - first studio meeting time.
- Department Meetings - 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday - 12:00-1:00 p.m. (open)
- Faculty Meetings - 1st Wednesday of the month (faculty only)
- End of Term Meetings (faculty only)
- Pre-Term Planning Meetings (faculty only)
The department also makes use of an elected Student Advisory Council that routinely meets with the department head to discuss current issues in the department, to give feedback regarding new ideas or proposed policies, and to serve as a conduit between the students and the department.
Studio Preferencing
Students taking a design studio may preference design studios (usually a choice between two options). The Department Head supervises the division of students into studios (typically a maximum of 15). First choices are guaranteed at least once per year, although in practice students usually receive their first choice. Prior to registration each term, students must complete a preference sheet and return it to the Department office.
Review Week
During Review Week (the week before Exams, also known as Dead Week), most Architecture and Landscape Architecture non-studio classes are cancelled so that studio classes and Master's Project Presentations can be scheduled for final reviews. This is an important and informative tradition in AAA because it gives all students and faculty the opportunity to view and discuss all the work done during the term.
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Faculty Advising
All students entering the Department are assigned to a faculty member who acts as advisor for the duration of each student's period of study (students may change advisors at some future date if they desire). The primary role of the advisor is to provide advice and counseling on academic and departmental matters, including helping advisees prepare a program of study which satisfies Departmental and university requirements for graduation. Advising begins prior to registration. At this time the advisor is available at specified times (times are usually posted on the advisor's office door) to assist the student in course selection and registration.
The primary role of the student is to keep the Advisor informed about matters concerning the student's progress in the Department. This may include personal matters such as finances, health problems, etc. if these interfere with satisfactory progress in the Department. Advisors need to be informed about these matters so that they can act effectively as advocates for advisees should it be necessary. The time spent with a faculty advisor is left to the student's discretion. The student is expected to take the initiative in arranging such meetings as he or she requires them. However, on occasion, the faculty advisor may request meetings with the student. Consultation with an advisor is required prior to registering during the first term of residency.
The student-faculty advisor relationship is viewed as confidential so that both parties can feel free to be honest and candid in their discussions.
Application for Advanced Standing in a Required Course (Waivers)
Students wishing to apply for advanced standing (forms are available in the Department office) in required Department courses must make a written submission to the course instructor which provides evidence that the student has fulfilled the objectives of the course, either through courses previously taken or through work experience. Students must obtain written approval from the course instructor before advanced standing can be granted.
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Satisfactory Progress in the Department
At the conclusion of Spring Term, the faculty conduct a review of each student's overall progress in the Department. If a student, in the opinion of faculty members, is not making satisfactory academic progress, the student will either be invited to a counseling session with the Department Head and advisor or will be advised in writing about the Department's concerns with regard to the student's work.
The following aspects of a student's record constitute grounds either for the Department's requiring the student to withdraw from the Department or for refusing her or him the right to advance into any year or session of the program:
- Failing grades: see University Calendar for regulations governing good academic standing
- Two marginal passes in studio courses in one year
- Overall marginal grades over the course of three years, which indicate lack of general educational attainment
- Failure to take sufficient credits towards a degree
- Failure to make satisfactory progress in the Master's Project
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Financial Assistance
The Department has a number of competitive scholarships. Applications for these scholarships are considered each Spring for the following year.
More information to follow soon
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