Masters in Landscape Architecture

Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary academic work through the most recent grading period.

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters should be written by teachers or other professionals who have firsthand knowledge of your art or academic achievements and can comment on your potential for graduate study.

Your portfolio should contain 10 individually produced and carefully chosen images of work that reflects your interests in landscape and the discipline of landscape architecture. Applicants to the MLA-1 program who have no prior design training may include photographs, sketches or written work that conveys their ability to observe, identify and explore spatial conditions within the landscape. All other applicants should include a selection of work that demonstrates their interests and development in design. All work should be labeled to indicate if it is academic, professional or personal. If you present a team project, clearly identify your individual contribution. The portfolio should include a minimal amount of text.

Your essay should describe how your interest in landscape developed, how the work in your portfolio is indicative of that development and why the landscape architecture program at RISD seems well suited to your goals. RISD is a community of determined and engaged makers. This common bond invigorates our campus. The backgrounds, lived experiences and curiosities of our students deeply enrich our community. Describe an aspect of your background or life experience that defines who you are. How has this influenced your creative process?

Prepare a short video of yourself telling us: the most important reason you are motivated to study landscape architecture. at least one goal you hope to achieve in your graduate education. why you think RISD is the best place to achieve your goals. In the video, please show yourself speaking on screen. Avoid reading from a script or overdubbing. We encourage you to be authentic and heartfelt in your response. This essay will function as the beginning of a conversation that will continue if you enter the program at RISD. The video does not need to contain the same information provided in your written essay. It should be casual in nature, not overproduced or over-edited. Cell phone videos are highly encouraged. Maximum length: 2 minutes.