The program is intended for exceptionally qualified students who can complete the program within 3 years. Environmental Planning applicants should have a strong background in environmental sciences or management, landscape architecture, or city planning. Urban design applicants should have competence in design and in landscape materials and must qualify for the 2-year MLA Program.

Admission is competitive. Students must demonstrate evidence of high quality work and potential for development based on the grade point average, Graduate Record Examination scores, letters of recommendation, and examples of work. Students are encouraged to apply to the MLA/MCP Concurrent Degree Program after admission and enrollment in one department and during the first year, however, simultaneous application to both programs is possible. Application must be made no later than December 15 of the first semester. Admission to the Concurrent Degree Program will be contingent upon the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the requirements for both degrees within 3 years. Applicants must be competitive with the 2-year master’s applicants in the second department.

Applications must include:

• Three letters of recommendation (from College of Environmental Design faculty for enrolled students).
• A schedule demonstrating how all program requirements including prerequisites will be fulfilled within 3 years.
• A description of the proposed Specialization and a list of proposed courses.
• A statement of purpose that explains the value of work in the second department and the value of the Concurrent Degree to one’s career.
• Urban design students must submit a design portfolio. Environmental planners should submit a report or publication that reflects their analytical and/or writing abilities.
   

Applications from enrolled students must be submitted by December 15 for admission the following fall semester.

New students who would like immediate admission to the Concurrent Program should submit the following documents to the Student Affairs Officer in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning by December 15:

• one copy of the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning departmental application,
• one copy of the City and Regional Planning departmental supplement and applicant information sheet,
• two copies of the statement of purpose,
• three sets of official transcripts,
• three letters of recommendation,
• GRE scores, and
• exhibit of creative work.
   

Applicants should indicate on the departmental application form that they are applying to the Concurrent Degree Program and all documents should be clearly identified as concurrent degree materials. Only one application fee is required. The Student Affairs Officer in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning should be consulted for specific procedures for applying to the Concurrent Degree Program.

Concurrent Degree Program applications are reviewed separately by the Graduate Admissions Committees of both departments. Students may be accepted into both graduate programs, into only one department’s program, or be denied entry to both programs.

Prerequisites

Students entering these programs will be expected to demonstrate graphic communications skills. In addition, environmental planning candidates should have a basic knowledge of ecological principles relevant to planning and design. For those students without the necessary background, prerequisites may be satisfied while enrolled in the graduate program. However, no more than three units of prerequisite coursework (including LD ARCH 110) may be counted toward the student's degree requirements.

Environmental Planning applicants should have a strong background in environmental sciences or management, landscape architecture, or city planning. Urban design applicants should have competence in design and in landscape materials. An undergraduate degree in the natural sciences, environmental design, architecture, or landscape architecture will normally provide the necessary foundation. Students without this background will be required to take the necessary courses, preferably prior to enrollment in the Concurrent Program. Urban design students are expected to have completed one course in plant materials and one course in topographic design prior to entering the program. Students who have not taken courses in these fields prior to admission will be required to complete LD ARCH 110, LD ARCH 112, and LD ARCH 120.