Becoming a landscape architect means you’ll want to earn an onsite or online degree in landscape architecture. The degrees are offered at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Make sure that the landscape degree program you choose is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Make sure that the landscape degree program you choose is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Related Landscape Architect Programs
What does a landscape architect do?
Landscape architects design gardens, public parks, golf courses, residential and commercial areas, college campuses and many other sites. The responsibility of landscape architects is to create aesthetic functionality, harmony and beauty for the natural environment.
The duties of a landscape architect include planning the location of roads, walkways, buildings, and greenery. They also help plan the restoration of natural places such as wetlands, stream corridors and forests.
Landscape architects must have a strong sense of collaboration because they work closely with architects, surveyors, and engineers. After discussions and studying the existing site, landscapers develop the design. They create new topography, vegetation, walkways, decorative stones and fountains and other visually pleasing features.
What kind of education does a landscape architect need?
The requirements to becoming a landscape architect include obtaining a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). These require four to five years of study to complete.
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) takes about three years of full time study to complete.
Courses in the curriculum include:
• The History of Landscape Architecture
• Soil and Plant Science
• Geology
• General Business Management
• Surveying
• Landscape Design and Construction
• Site Design
• Landscape Ecology
Landscape architect studies are available at colleges on campus or as online degrees.
Often, a summer internship with a landscape architecture firm is required for employment.
How much does a landscape architect earn?
Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that median annual salaries for landscape architecst are at around $58,960.
Where can a landscape architect work?
About 21% of landscape architects are self employed. Other landscape architects work for architectural and engineering firms.
After experience is gained, landscape architects can become consultants, project managers, land or environmental planners and even construction supervisors.