How to Apply
Program Requirements
Students should meet the following recommended standards:
- A bachelor's degree from an accreditated college or university in arts, humanities, sciences, environmental studies, architecture or landscape architecture. It is not necessary to have a degree in landscape architecture for the First Professional degree.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 from the bachelor's degree.
- GRE scores at the 40th percentile. Students with lower scores may be admitted to the program on a case by case basis. The faculty graduate committee will assess the potential to become a landscape architect by looking at all other aspects of the student file such as past experience, recommendations, and GPA. In order to be admitted, the LAEP Department Head will be required to submit a letter to the School of Graduate Studies overriding the low GRE score(s).
- International students with minimum TOEFL scores as outlined by the School of Graduate Studies. Minimum scores are: Internet test - 79, Computer Test - 213, Paper Test, 550. The department does not provide editors or interpreters for international students. All classroom instruction is in English. Competence in English speaking, writing and understanding is crucial to success in the program in order to perform in a group setting and in writing a thesis.
- The online application will request email addresses for 3 recommendations. Please do not submit paper copies of recommendations to the department or the School of Graduate Studies. The people you have selected will be given a link to submit the recommendation, and it is important that they submit the recommendation from their own computer.
When to Apply
Students begin the MLA program in Fall semester. The application deadline for the first round of reviews is March 15, however it is recommended that you start your file with the School of Graduate Studies early. By starting your file in January or February, the file will have a better chance of being completed by the March 15 deadline. Applications received after March 15 will be considered only if space is available.
The department will begin ranking applications by accessing folders created by the School of Graduate Studies. All applications are in one folder and COMPLETED applications in another. All applications are ranked by the department based upon the information provided, but only completed applications will receive notice of acceptance. It is the APPLICANT'S RESPONSIBILITY to make sure your application is complete by checking the status online often. Call the School of Graduate Studies if, within a reasonable time, there is a piece missing. The most frequent problems are with recommendations. The SGS can pinpoint which recommendation is needed and how to successfully submit the required letter.
February 1 is the application deadline for consideration for a college-wide scholarship.
Where to Apply
All applications are completed through the School of Graduate Studies website www.usu.edu/gradschool. The first step is to pay the fee and submit the online application. Your application will not be considered, nor can be seen by the department, unless payment is submitted. There is a link provided on the graduate school website under Prospective Graduate Student – Application Procedure.
Do not submit any materials to the LAEP department except for the portfolio with cover letter (see portfolio below). Portfolios are not required for application to the First Professional Degree, however it is highly recommended you send a Letter of Intent to the Department separate from your statement given on the online application. You may also submit other writing examples which will be included in your application file.
When starting an on-line application write down the numbers you create to begin the process (these numbers are case sensitive and must be entered exactly as you created them). Once you have completed the on-line application you can check the status of your file at the School of Graduate Studies webpage under Prospective Graduate Students click on Check Your Application Status. This will take you to ACCESS where you will login with the numbers you created when you started an online application.
A completed online application with appropriate filing fee paid via the online process.
- Official transcript(s) of your academic record. It is not necessary to list colleges or trade schools where you only attended 1 or 2 years (or semesters) and did not receive a degree.
- GRE scores: a transcript of the results of the Graduate Record Examination. List Utah State University as one of the schools you wish ETS to send scores.
- Letters of recommendation: arrange to have three individuals who are familiar with you and your work to write letters in support of your application. These must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. You will be asked for the email address for each person you list as a recommendation. They will be given a link by the School of Graduate Studies to complete your recommendation online.
- Personal statement: the online application will ask you to submit a brief statement. It is recommended that you send an additional letter directly to the department outlining your reasons for pursuing a degree in Landscape Architecture or a BioRegional Planning degree. Include any experience you have had in the field or related fields, and outline your future plans after obtaining the degree. Send your statement, any other writing examples you choose, and a portfolio to:
The Department of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning
c/o Graduate Advisor
4005 Old Main Hill
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-4005
- Portfolio: Portfolios are recommended, but not required, of the First Professional degree applicants, however are required for the Advanced Professional degree application. Advanced professionals should submit examples of most recent work. Team projects must clearly note your contribution to the project.
First Professional applicants may compile a portfolio of any creative works, i.e., sketching, painting, residential landscape, water features, gazebos, or photography, etc. Send all portfolios directly to the Department of Landscape Architecture at the address noted above. Submit 8.5x11 copies. Originals will not be returned. No slides, oversize binders, or notebooks, please. The smallest size is preferred (such as wire binding) to allow ease in filing. Viewable CDs or a link to a website are also acceptable.
- English Proficiency: In the event that English is not the native language, the results of the TOEFL test must be submitted.
- All of the above requirements must be completed and filed with the school of graduate studies before any action can be taken by the LAEP Department.
Any misrepresentation of information submitted as part of your graduate application constitutes fraud, and renders your acceptance to the Utah State University School of Graduate Studies as null and void.