Studies & Degrees in Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture Study Programs
Landscape architecture is the design, planning and management of outdoor space. The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) describes landscape architects as professionals who plan, design and manage natural and built environments, applying aesthetic and scientific principles to questions such as ecological sustainability, the quality and health of landscapes, and heritage and culture. The work ranges from gardens, parks and public squares to urban districts, infrastructure corridors and regional conservation plans.
Students learn through design studios, where they develop projects for real sites, supported by courses in plants and ecology, soils and water, landform and grading, construction and materials, landscape history and theory, and digital drawing and mapping. Planning law and professional practice come later in the degree. Most programmes include field trips and an internship, and some require study abroad: the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) includes a required semester abroad.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degrees. In the United States there are two undergraduate degrees, the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA), which usually require four to five years of study, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Penn State's BLA is a nine-semester curriculum with a minimum of 139 credits.
- Master's degrees. Graduates of other fields can enter the profession through a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), which typically takes three years of full-time study. At Harvard University the Master in Landscape Architecture I is intended for people who hold a bachelor's degree in a subject outside the design professions and requires a minimum of six terms of full-time study.
- Europe. The bachelor's stage is shorter. The Universität Kassel and the Leibniz Universität Hannover each offer a six-semester Bachelor of Science taught in German; Hannover asks international applicants for German at level C1. The Politecnico di Milano teaches a master's-level programme, Landscape Architecture - Land Landscape Heritage, in English at its Piacenza campus.
- Spain. Landscape architecture has few dedicated official degrees. The Universidad Camilo José Cela lists a four-year, 240 ECTS Grado en Paisajismo taught in Spanish, but states that this degree is being phased out. Students in Spain usually reach the field through architecture, agricultural or forestry engineering, or environmental sciences, followed by a master's degree; official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
Accreditation and licensing
Whether a degree leads to professional practice depends on accreditation and on national rules.
- United States. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredits first professional programmes at bachelor's or master's level in the United States and its territories. All states require landscape architects to be licensed. Candidates usually need a degree from an accredited school and supervised experience, and must pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.), run by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). Standards vary by state.
- United Kingdom. The Landscape Institute (LI) accredits university courses and awards chartered status to members who pass its Chartership exam after a period of mentored practice.
- Other countries. Rules differ widely. International students should check whether the degree is accredited or recognised in the country where they plan to work before they enrol.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 41 active schools for landscape architecture. Twenty-two are in the United States. Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany have three each, Australia and Italy two each, and Hong Kong, Bolivia, Poland, New Zealand, Mexico and Russia one each.
Examples in the United States are Penn State, Harvard University, The Ohio State University, the University of Washington, the University of Florida, Texas Tech University and Colorado State University. In Europe the list includes The University of Sheffield, whose School of Architecture and Landscape teaches the subject, the Universität Kassel, the Leibniz Universität Hannover, the Politecnico di Milano and The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. In Spain it includes the Universidad Camilo José Cela and the Universidad CEU San Pablo. Other examples are the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico, the Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia, Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and Adelaide University in Australia.
Teaching is normally in the language of the country, with some master's programmes in continental Europe taught in English.
Careers
Landscape architects work in private design and planning offices, engineering and architecture firms, local and regional government, park and conservation agencies, and as self-employed consultants.
In the United States, landscape architects held about 23,500 jobs in 2025, half of them in architectural, engineering and related services, according to the BLS. It projects employment to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. These figures apply to the United States only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between landscape architecture and garden design?
Garden design focuses on private gardens and planting. Landscape architecture also covers public space, urban design, and site, community and regional planning, and in many countries its practice is regulated or licensed.
How long does it take to become a landscape architect?
In the United States a BLA or BSLA usually takes four to five years and an MLA for graduates of other fields about three, followed by supervised experience and the L.A.R.E. In Germany the bachelor's degrees at Kassel and Hannover take six semesters.
Do I need a degree in architecture first?
No. Landscape architecture is a separate degree. Graduates of any subject can enter through a first professional master's degree such as the MLA.