Undergraduate Program
BLA students take a series of lecture and studio design courses, beginning with an introduction to landscape design principles in the first year and culminating in an advanced research and studio design project in the graduating year. LAAB standards require that first-professional degree curricula must include the core knowledge skills and applications of landscape architecture: landscape architectural history, philosophy, theory, values, ethics, practice, planning, design, implementation, and management.
Career Directions in Landscape Architecture
STEM Designation: This program has been recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics as a STEM program under the category of 30.3301 - Sustainability Studies.
What is the benefit of attending an accredited program?
In short-- you will be designing faster! Since Landscape Architecture is a field that requires you have a license to practice you need to fulfill the necessary requirements before applying for your license.
With an accredited degree in landscape architecture you can take the licensing exam after practicing under a licensed landscape architect for:
- 2 years
Without an accredited degree in landscape architecture you can still take the licensing exam after practicing under a licensed landscape architect for:
- 4 years with an accredited 4 year college degree in another design field
- 6 years with a 4 year college degree in another field
- 8 years with a high school diploma
LAAB Standards
To meet LAAB standards, the Landscape Architecture Program curricula includes coverage of:
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History, theory and criticism
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Natural and cultural systems including principles of sustainability
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Public Policy and regulation
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Design, planning and management at various scales and applications including but not limited to pedestrian and vehicular circulation, grading drainage, and storm water management
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Site design and implementation: materials, methods, technologies, and application
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Construction documentation and administration
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Written, verbal and visual communication
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Professional practice
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Professional values and ethics
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Plants and ecosystems
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Computer applications and other advanced technology
Learn about Licensure Details of Requirements LAAB Standards
BLA Courses
Learning Outcomes & Examples
Year 1
LARC 120 - Digital Fundamentals Studio |
Course description: An introduction to fundamental computer tools and techniques commonly used in design communication and landscape architecture practice. Non-drafting computer tools will be used to orient basic digital image capture, manipulation, and presentation formatting. Learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course, each student will be able to:
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LARC 160 - Introduction to Landscape Architecture |
Course description: History, theory, philosophy and current practice of the profession of landscape architecture. Explores the interactive relationship between humans and their environment by examining people's perceptions of and changing attitude towards the landscape, as well as, an examination of how these are related to ecological and cultural influences. Learning outcomes: Students enrolled in this course will:
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Year 2
LARC 141 - |
Course description: Fundamentals of basic design focusing on creative problem solving associated with landscape architecture. Learning outcomes: The primary content of LARC 141 is sustained experimentation with landscape forms. Students will:
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LARC 221 - Digital Design Tools |
Course description: The development and application of computing skills as used by the landscape architecture profession. This Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) course develops computer drafting using a variety of software programs. It also introduces students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping technologies. |
LARC 240 - Graphic Communication and Design Studio |
Course description: Exploration of graphic presentation techniques and original concept development for landscape architecture planning and design. Learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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LARC 263 - History of Landscape Architecture |
Course description: A survey of landscape architecture history from the ancient Western civilizations to the twentieth century with consideration of parallel developments in the Eastern World, European Africa and the Americas. Learning Outcomes:
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LARC 265 - Site Analysis and Ecological Principles |
Course description: Principles and methods of site analysis with an emphasis on the application of ecological principles in landscape architecture, architecture and planning. |
Year 3
LARC 320 -Principles of Site Engineering |
Course description: The study and application of landscape construction principles as applied to grading, drainage, site layout, storm water management, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation. Learning outcomes: The emphasis of the course is to thoroughly develop skills and understanding for the process of landform design and the presentation of the results on grading plans. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
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LARC 321 - Landscape Structures and Materials |
Course description: An examination of the use, properties, and detailing of materials used in landscape construction. The use and design of structures in the landscape. Learning outcomes:
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LARC 340 - Site Planning and Design Studio |
Course description: An examination of the influence of landscape character and site features (natural and cultural) on landscape architecture, architecture and planning through application in the studio setting. Learning outcomes:
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LARC 341 - Regional Design Studio |
Course description: An examination of the landscape architect's role within the interdisciplinary regional design field incorporating GIS technologies, spatial modeling, and the regional design process. Learning outcomes:
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Year 4
LARC 389 - Internship |
Learning outcomes:
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LARC 420 - Professional Practice |
Course description: An introduction to and comparative study of the professional concerns of design firms. Focus on planning, legal, ethical, marketing and management considerations of interdisciplinary practices. Learning outcomes:
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LARC 440 - Urban Design Studio |
Course description: The landscape architect's role within the interdisciplinary urban design process, focusing on urban site design issues. Pedestrian friendly site design and the future of sustainable development will be studied. Learning Outcomes: This design studio course will direct students of landscape architecture to define relationships between people, nature and infrastructure in the urban environment. Students will work to understand and appreciate the place of the city within the context of regional, historical and cultural influences. Students will demonstrate an ability to design for the scale of the metropolis as well as for the human participant and the context and influence of nature. Faculty and professional advisors will enhance analytical skills and the ability to synthesize the diverse program elements, concepts and functional requirements for design in the multi-layered conditions of the city, as represented in the studio projects. Topographic and architectural patterns, transportation functions, pedestrian involvement, and the creation of a sense of place will be the major concerns in the design of viable civic spaces. The idea of designing for the future in light of present physical, political, social and economic conditions is another pedagogical exploration of the course. The major challenge of this studio is to examine the urban intervention process in the following ways:
Students successfully completing this class will have the ability to:
The projects in this studio aim at reconnecting fragments of urban landscapes to their surrounding context. Reading and interpretation of the existing situations will put the emphasis on the progressive nature of transforming the urban landscape. We will take into consideration the process of layering, which constitutes the site and its history but does not imply nostalgia or an inevitable continuity. |
LARC 452 - Green Infrastructure and Community Greening |
Course description: A critical look and exploration of green infrastructure (GI) elements in the built environment in contributing to ecosystems services and the sustainability of the built environment. The course explores the science, issues, challenges, and the policy, planning and design solutions offered by green infrastructure. Learning outcomes: After completing this course student will demonstrate through project deliverable and presentation
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LARC 461 - People and the Environment |
Course description: Focus is placed on human and environmental interactions. Students will look at both natural and built environments and how they influence human health and well-being. Many environmental settings will be examined. These include hospitals, public housing neighborhoods, school settings, retirement communities, transportation corridors and green spaces. We will also explore how racial and socio-economic factors affect living and working environmental conditions. Ultimately, students will be using this knowledge to create environments that support individuals, families and various community groups' health and well-being. Learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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LARC 470 - Landscape Architecture Seminar |
Course description: A combination of self-directed study, seminar, and lecture formats. An introduction to aspects of research methods, critical analysis, and proposal writing with a focus on urban and community design. Learning outcomes: All students will:
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LARC 471 - Capstone Studio: Community Design |
Course description: A capstone experience that emphasizes the integration of critical thinking skills and methodologies introduced throughout the landscape architecture curriculum. Students apply design and analysis methodologies, evaluate alternative solutions, involve community residents and engage in final design development, using the master plan and site design process, report writing, and oral and graphic presentations. Final presentations are open to the university and the community. Learning objectives: This community design studio course is designed such that, at the end of this course, you will be able to:
Learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course, each student will know how to:
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