Stuart Weitzman School of Design
102 Meyerson Hall
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) are required to accurately disclose reliable information and program metrics to the public on their performance, including student achievement as determined by the institution or Program. The University of Pennsylvania Landscape Architecture (MLA) program reports annually on the program’s accreditation status, cost of attendance, and basic student metrics on enrollment, retention, and graduation. This information is intended to help potential students make informed application decisions.
Programs leading to first professional degrees at the bachelor’s or master’s levels in the United States are eligible to apply for accreditation from the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). LAAB is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the official accrediting body for first professional degree programs in landscape architecture. LAAB is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). The Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Pennsylvania is accredited by LAAB. The most recent accreditation review was in Fall 2022, and the next accreditation review is scheduled for Fall 2028. For a copy of the latest report, contact the Department of Landscape Architecture at landarch@design.upenn.edu. In accordance with the Higher Education Act, we confirm that our Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Pennsylvania meets the educational requirements for licensure eligibility in all U.S. states. For more information about LAAB, see https://www.asla.org/accreditationlaab.aspx. To contact LAAB, visit the website of the American Society of Landscape Architects, asla.org.
With a LAAB-accredited degree, MLA program graduates can pursue becoming licensed landscape architects; there are also experience and examination requirements. In the United States, licensure is regulated by individual states. For more information about licensure requirements, see https://www.asla.org/licensure.aspx.
Landscape Architecture licensure requirements vary by state. Visit the ASLA website state licensure page to review licensure requirements by state, or the ASLA fact sheet on this topic.
Landscape Architecture is designated as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) discipline by the US Department of Homeland Security. Following graduation from the MLA program, international students holding F-1 visas may be eligible for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension beyond their initial OPT of 12 months for a total of 36 months. It is the responsibility of the F-1 visa holder to petition the US Department of Homeland Security to approve the 24-month STEM extension. The University of Pennsylvania makes no representation that USCIS will grant any individual petition.
More information about OPT and STEM-designated degree programs can be found on the STEM OPT HUB.
Please see the Weitzman Graduate Admissions Tuition & Aid page for the most up-to-date information on estimated annual expenses and financial aid options.
The Master of Landscape Architecture program offers a number of optional opportunities for supplemental and/or experiential learning. Local travel, including optional site visits and fieldtrips for workshop courses and studios, is typically funded by the student. Optional regional, domestic, or international travel may be partially subsidized by the School and/or external funding sources. International students have the option of participating in U.S.-based summer internships through the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program.
Curricular Practical Training for international students - $500.00 per summer
Required Summer Institute for entering students - $1000.00 per 4-week Summer Institute
Master of Landscape Architecture Enrollment – 145
102 Female
36 Male
4 Nonbinary
3 Prefer not to answer
57 Domestic (includes 48 US citizens, 2 Permanent Residents, 7 dual citizenship holders)
10 Minority
88 International
18 Dual Degree Students
Total Graduates – 47
Graduated within 3 yrs – 41 (87%)
Graduated within 4 yrs – 45 (96%)
Dual degree students typically complete their degree programs in 4 years.
Number of students in Fall 2022 cohort – 44
Number of students in Fall 2022 cohort who were active in 2023-2024 – 43 (98%)
Students on leave of absence are not included in active student count.
Penn Career Services conducts an annual survey of recent graduates regarding post-graduation plans. Report data can be found on the Career Services Post Graduate Outcomes webpage.
An updated list of awards can be found on the Weitzman School of Design Awards page: Awards 2024
