Admissions
Landscape Architecture is a limited enrollment program. (See Chapter 1 of the Undergraduate Catalog for general limited-enrollment program admission policies and Limited Enrollment Program (LEP) admissions policies). Students should check with the Landscape Architecture Program at 1.301.405.4359 or the Limited Enrollment Program Counselor at 1.301.314.8385 for updated information.

Freshman Admission
The program’s goal is to have the greater proportion of program majors admitted as freshmen. Most entering freshmen will gain admission to the landscape architecture program directly from high school, as space permits. Early application is encouraged to ensure the best possible chance for admission.

Transfer Admission
Admission of transfer students is limited by space considerations: Students presenting an acceptable graphic portfolio, evaluated by the landscape architecture faculty, may be exempted from one or both of the first year studios. Landscape architecture faculty will evaluate all other LARC-equivalent courses transferred from another institution.

Limited Enrollment Program Explanation
In accordance with University policy, the Landscape Architecture Program has been designated a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP). This allows the program to establish criteria that a student must complete by 45 credits.

What Does This Mean?
Most entering freshman students will gain admission to the landscape architecture program directly from high school, as space permits. Freshmen who are admitted directly into the Landscape Architecture Program will be subject to a performance review specified below under Academic Review Requirements. This review occurs after completing the third semester of the required studio sequence or after the completion of 45 credits at the University of Maryland. Freshmen who are admitted directly to the landscape architecture program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

All transfer students must meet the following gateway requirements prior to entering the Landscape Architecture Program: (1) minimum GPA of 2.40; (2) grades of B- or better in LARC 160 and LARC 120; (3) grade of C- or better in LARC 140, LARC 141, PLSC 100 (or equivalent), MATH 112 (or MATH 113T, or MATH 113 Section 7777, or MATH 115, or their equivalents); (4) portfolio review as specified by the landscape architecture faculty. These students must complete the requirements specified below under Academic Review Requirements. These requirements affect new transfer students to the university as well as on-campus students hoping to change majors to landscape architecture.

Academic Review Requirements
(Does not include AP or IB credits)

• Cumulative Grade Point Average minimums as stated above.
  
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of B- or better: LARC 120 and LARC 160
  
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of C- or better:
  • LARC 140, LARC 141, PLSC 100 (or equivalent), and MATH 112 (or MATH 113T, or MATH 113 Section 7777, or MATH 115, or their equivalents).
  
• Portfolio Review with a minimum of 80 points out of 100.
  • Portfolio to meet content and quality standards as outlined by the LARC program
  
• Letter of Application to the Landscape Architecture Program:
  • Each student must write a one-page letter, addressed to the Landscape Architecture Program Coordinator. The letter must clearly and concisely state his/her reasons for wanting to be in the Landscape Architecture Program.

Other Policies Which Determine a Student’s Retention in the Landscape Architecture Program

• Students can only repeat only one of the six “gateway” courses outlined as part of the Academic Review Requirements and that course can only be repeated once.
  
• Students may apply only once to a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP) at the University of Maryland. Students who are directly admitted to the LEP and fail to meet the performance review criteria will be dismissed from the major and may not reapply.
  
• Although not gateway courses, PLSC 253 and LARC 263 should be successfully completed before the 45-credit review. LARC 263 is a pre-requisite for the LARC 240 studio.
  
• Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the major.

Appeals
Students, who are unsuccessful in gaining admission to the landscape architecture LEP and believe they have extenuating or special circumstances that should be considered, may appeal in writing to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The student will be notified in writing of the appeal decision. Students in the landscape architecture LEP who do not pass the 45-credit, performance review but believe they have special circumstances that should be considered should appeal directly to the Coordinator of the Landscape Architecture program.

Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for a bachelor’s of landscape architecture degree, a student must satisfy all University and Departmental published degree requirements, have an overall grade point average of at least 2.00, and a grade of ‘C-’ or better in all required program courses.

For more information see about the program see Chapter 7 of the Undergraduate Catalog

Application Request
Application forms may be obtained at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Web Site

Application forms to the MLA program must be completed electronically at the Graduate School site for the University.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admission basis starting March 1, 2008 with a deadline of May 1, 2008 for the fall semester (late August) start and a deadline of November 1 for the 2009 spring semester (late January).

If you are interested in the new graduate MLA program please Contact Us.