A look into what we do and why we do it. The USC Master of Landscape Architecture + Urbanism degree program investigates the nuances and stories of people and place, our complex natural systems, and the role of open space in our constantly changing urban environment. Based in Los Angeles, we are in the ideal setting to study this profession. Our faculty and students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, offering fresh and enriching perspectives as we come together to explore Southern California’s diverse landscapes and beyond.
To learn more or apply, please visit our site:
https://arch.usc.edu/master-of-landscape-architecture-and-urbanism
Applications for Fall 2026 are open!
Priority deadline: January 5, 2026
Final deadline: May 1, 2026 (international applicants) or July 1, 2026 (domestic applicants)
Should you have any questions about or during the application process, please reach out to our Assistant Director of Admissions, Justin Stadel at [email protected] or our Program Director, Esther Margulies at [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you! 🌳🏞️📏
🎥 @fergusstothart - thank you for capturing these moments
#uscmlau #uscmla #landscapearchitecture #uscarchitecture #uscschoolofarchitecture
Takako Tajima’s ARCH541B studio kicked off our final reviews last week, presenting the total accumulation of iterative designs, sketch models, and topo models from throughout their semester as they studied the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Campus Japanese Garden.
Thank you to the jury of landscape architects, master gardeners, and veterans and congratulations to this class for successfully completing your first year!
#uscmlau #landscapearchitecture #topography #japanesegardens #uscschoolofarchitecture
A huge thank you to Megan Horn and Mia Lehrer of @studio_mla for graciously hosting our 2nd-year advanced urban ecology students last week and presenting your impressive ecological projects! We learned so much and always love being in your beautiful studio space! 🌳🌆
#studiomla #uscmlau #ecology #landscapearchitecture #urbanecology
Happy Earth Day! May we forever admire, protect, and steward this place we call home. 🌎🌱💚
Thank you @socalasla for bringing these groups of future leaders together to appreciate her beauty earlier this month and thank you @vbgventura for having us.
#earthday #botanicalgardens #uscmlau #landscapearchitecture #nature
Thank you again to Dr. Isaac Brown for coming to speak about designing in Los Angeles with nature-based solutions as the foundation and meeting with our second-year studio to provide guidance and feedback on their projects about transcalar water systems. 💧🐟🌳🪨
#designwithnature #uscmlau #landscapearchitecture #urbanecology #losangeles
Join Dr. Isaac Brown—nationally recognized landscape ecologist, planner, and designer—for his lecture on “Design with the Los Angeles Urban Ecosystem: Lessons Learned & Ideas for the Future of Nature-Based Solutions.” Principal Scientist at McMillen will be giving us a deep dive into LA case studies, climate resilience, biodiversity, and the future of urban ecosystem stewardship. 🌱🌳
We are thrilled to have him back on campus for the day!
📅 Friday, April 17, 2026
⏰ 12PM, Noon
📍Wong Conference Center (HAR101)
#urbanecology #mcmillen #uscmlau #landscapearchitecture #biodiversity
Over the past four years, USC MLA+U Professor Alison Hirsch and her research team at The Landscape Justice Initiative have been working with the Allensworth Progressive Association @allensworth.pa on the Allensworth Community Plan, which was unanimously approved by Tulare County Board of Supervisors last week. Long deemed a ‘hamlet’ by the county, this new plan and designation sets a path for Allensworth’s future that builds on its visionary past as California’s only Black Freedom Colony (founded in 1908). The plan is a roadmap for Allensworth to arrive at climate-resilient rural self-sufficiency and a model for rural communities in the lower Central Valley.
Thank you to the APA, ACSD, Allensworth community, students, and partners for this rich collaboration and congratulations to the APA for this incredible achievement. Special thanks to research assistant, Jaab Veskijkul for making this video and being a dedicated member of the LJI team!
Our first year studio was lucky enough to get a private tour of the Japanese garden at The Huntington led by Robert Hori, Botanical Cultural Curator & Program Director. The studio also had their site visit to the West LA VA Japanese Garden with the Disabled American Veterans organization, Dr. Kendall Brown from CSULB (Professor of Asian Art History and expert of Japanese styled gardens in North America), and a group of master gardeners who are helping to maintain the garden. 🎋
Thank you all for your time and generosity!
#uscmlau #japanesegarden #thehuntington #landscapearchitecture #sitevisits
Thank you @gruenassociates for hosting us for this firm visit last week. We loved seeing your beautiful space and learning about past and current projects from all of the members of your team. It’s always a privilege for our students to see the inner workings of a firm and get a glimpse of what it’s like to put their education to practice. ✏️📚📏👷🏻
JOIN US: CATALINA TH APRIL 2nd.
Landcare Day at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island!
Come join us for a spring time landcare session at the beautiful, remote Test Plot at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. Free transportation and lunch provided by Test Plot! Depart on USC's Miss Christi's from San Pedro at 8AM and return by 5PM (~90 minute boat ride). We will be prepping the plot for annual brush clearance (mostly hand weeding, but also irrigation repair and weed whipping). It is one of the most perfect times to be on Catalina Island!
Approximate schedule:
8-9:30 Boat to Island
9:30-10AM Orientation
10-12PM Work-session
12-1PM Lunch Break
1-2PM Work-session
2-3:15PM Free time to Hike & Swim
3:30PM Depart to San Pedro
Test Plot designer Andre Grospe will be leading this group. There will be 10 spots.
📸 Rio Asch Phoenix
Graduate Projects exhibition opens March 23–April 3, showcasing bold, future-focused work from students and recent alumni across M.Arch, M.AARS, MBS, MHC, and MLA+U.
From speculative cities to climate-responsive landscapes, the show explores how emerging designers are using architecture, technology, and media to address today’s most pressing social, cultural, and environmental challenges.
Curated by Kate Yeh Chiu. Open to the public in upper and lower Rosendin (Watt Hall).
This work is by Gabriel Harmon (SPRING 2025 - M.ARCH)
Thank you Mt. Washington, Highland Park, Cypress Park and all the NELA folks who followed the rain drop 💧with us from the Rainbow creek watershed down to the Arroyo seco and eventually the LA River.
We enjoyed the conversations, the history, the close looking, and the brainstorming - all ideas that are informing our conceptual plan for the canyon. Two main takeaways: stormwater is precious and stewardship is the way.
Mark your calendars for our final workshop May 16th 9-12 on FIRE resilient landcare 🔥 with @communitynatureconnection
Partners + funders: @mrcaparks@cd1losangeles@watershedhealth@waterfdn@rosefdn@uscmlau
📸 @rioaschphoenix
