The Master of Landscape Architecture at Pratt Institute supports students in developing knowledge of landscape architecture, with a focus on New York City's regional ecosystems.

At Pratt Institute in New York City, the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) reimagines human relationships with land through design.

Combining studio work and land-based practices, the programme foregrounds human wellbeing and environmental uplift through the design of enduring, climate-responsive public landscapes. Students engage deeply with New York City's ecological and cultural systems through both coursework and extracurricular opportunities.

The MLA1 track is a three-year, first-professional degree programme and welcomes applicants from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. The MLA2 track is a two-year, second-professional degree programme intended for students who already hold an accredited first-professional degree in architecture.

Both MLA1 and MLA2 curricula connect conceptual inquiry and ecological knowledge with a deep, relational experience of place.

Situated within the GA/LA/UD department, the programme builds upon Pratt Institute's rich tradition of creative experimentation and interdisciplinary innovation. Students work across scales and media, exploring methods of representation, land-based field work and making that exemplify and advance contemporary practice.

The curriculum prepares graduates to meet the evolving demands of professional practice and to design landscapes that sustain both people and ecosystems.

The MLA programme will be hosting the following events:

MLA Faculty Flash Talk on 20 November 2025 (hybrid), info session and extended Q&A on 1 December 2025 (hybrid) and prospective student portfolio review on 15 of December 2025 (virtual).

School: Pratt Institute
Course: Master of Landscape Architecture
Type: Postgraduate
Location: Brooklyn, USA
Course dates: September 2026 to May 2029
Application deadline: 5 January 2026

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Site analysis, plant and ecoregion identification
– Spatial, ecological and experiential design
– Community engagement
– 2D and 3D representation techniques
– GIS
– Prototyping
– Collaborative problem-solving
– Create resilient, climate-responsive and meaningful landscapes

What are the requirements?

– Applicants must have received a bachelor degree from an institution in the US that is accredited by a recognised regional association or have been awarded the equivalent of a bachelor degree from an international institution of acceptable standards
– Please note that we cannot accept students with a professional Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA or BSLA)

What facilities and resources are available?

– Pi-FAB, the fabrication shop, is designed for precision model making and material experimentation, including CNC, laser cutting and a robotic arm for digital fabrication exploration
– 3D printing centre offers a comprehensive suite of additive manufacturing technologies, including FDM, resin and wax printers and high-resolution 3D-scanners
– Campus-wide fabrication shops and material labs, supporting experimentation across scales and media
– Real-world learning through partnerships with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, in-situ study of exemplary NYC landscape projects

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Graduates of the Pratt MLA programme are well-prepared for a diverse range of professional opportunities both nationally and internationally. They will go on to work in leading landscape architecture and design firms.

Many will pursue impactful roles in academia, landscape stewardship organisations, non-profit sectors and government agencies that focus on shaping ecosystems and landscapes across multiple scales.

Who teaches this course?

– Elliott Maltby, interim academic director and adjunct associate professor
– Rosetta Elkin, professor
– Mariel Collard, assistant professor
– Mark Heller, assistant professor
– Signe Nielsen, adjunct professor
– Bill Logan, visiting professor
– Jeffrey Hogrefe, professor
– Ellen Garrett, visiting assistant professor
– Andy Lee, visiting assistant professor
– Melody Stein, visiting assistant professor

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