Reply To: CANADA – Masters of Landscape Architecture

Hi Carmen, 

I can’t speak for the US because I haven’t looked at many of their programs but in Canada there is only one undergraduate (4 year) program in LA and it’s at Guelph, or the 5 MLA programs are 3 years for first-professional degree applicants. I believe once you get your degree it’s common practice to spend a few years in the field before you take the LARE exams and become registered. You don’t need an MLA if you’ve already taken the undergraduate program, but you do if you want to become a practicing landscape architect and have no previous experience in the field academically. 

As far as the importance of registration goes, I think it would open up more opportunities and it’s almost like if you were going through medical school, but decided not to get your medical license… why shy away from the end goal? I hope that helps! If you want more information about landscape architecture in Canada and accredited programs you can check out the Canadian Society for Landscape Architects at http://csla-aapc.ca/. Subsequently the American Society at https://www.asla.org/