Master of Landscape Architecture–MLA 240 points Qualification regulations

1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MLA degree shall have:

(i) completed a Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington BAS degree in Landscape Architecture or Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments in Landscape Architecture or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, an equivalent qualification; and

(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.

(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who:

(i) has extensive professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind; or

(ii) initially enrolled in BDes and has satisfied all but 30 points of the requirements for a BAS degree. The MLA shall not be awarded until the BAS is completed.

2. (a) Except as provided for in (b) and (c) and in section 5 of these regulations, the course of study for the MLA shall consist of courses worth at least 240 points, as follows:

Part 1: 120 400-level points, including LAND 411, LAND 412, LAND 421, LAND 451, SARC 461, SARC 491;

Part 2: A 120-point research portfolio as listed on the MLA Schedule and approved by the head of school.

Parts 1 and 2 shall include such practical work as may be determined by the head of school.

(b) With the permission of the associate dean, a candidate who has completed an appropriate degree with Honours or other graduate study to an appropriate level may be exempted from Part 1 and admitted directly to Part 2.

(c) A candidate may proceed to Part 2 only with the permission of the head of school.

3. (a) A candidate whose course of study includes both Part 1 and Part 2 shall normally be enrolled for at least four trimesters (extended pro rata up to eight trimesters for students who are not full time), and shall complete the degree within two years and six months of first enrolling in it (extended pro rata up to five years for students who are not full time). The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.

(b) The minimum and maximum periods of enrolment for Part 2 are specified in the Master’s Thesis Regulations.

4. At the discretion of the head of school, a candidate who holds a PGDipDE in Landscape Architecture may credit those courses to the MLA provided the candidate abandons the Postgraduate Diploma upon being awarded the MLA.

6. The MLA may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as described in the Assessment Handbook.