Skip to content

Landscape Architecture Schools and Programs in The United States

21 schools in The United States teach Landscape Architecture.

Landscape Architecture Studies in The United States

Landscape architecture is the design and planning of outdoor space. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), landscape architects design parks and the outdoor spaces of campuses, recreational facilities, businesses and private homes, and may plan the restoration of places such as wetlands, streams and former mining sites. The subject combines design with ecology, plants and soils, construction and planning, and in the United States it is a licensed profession: the degree is the first step towards a state licence.

How the degrees are organised

There is no national curriculum; US universities are not centrally managed but are accredited by independent bodies. For the professional degrees in landscape architecture, the accrediting body is the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). The BLS describes three routes:

  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA), usually 4 to 5 years
  • Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) for graduates from other fields, typically 3 years of full-time study
  • Research degrees such as a Master of Science or a PhD, for students who already hold a professional degree or want an academic career

Courses typically cover landscape design and construction, landscape ecology and site design, and the design studio is the core of every programme. A BLA is often longer than the usual four-year US bachelor's degree. At Penn State, the BLA is a nine-semester curriculum of at least 139 credits and includes a required semester abroad. Colorado State University's landscape architecture major totals 125 credits, and the university states that it is the only nationally accredited undergraduate professional programme in Colorado.

Where to study landscape architecture in the United States

The 22 schools listed on this page are mostly large public research universities, several of them land-grant institutions. They are spread across the country: in the Northeast (Harvard University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Connecticut, SUNY), the Midwest (The Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota, Washington University in St. Louis), the South (University of Florida, Florida International University, Texas Tech University) and the West (University of California at Berkeley, University of California, Davis, University of Washington, Colorado State University, University of Colorado at Denver). Two community colleges, Lansing Community College and Delaware Technical & Community College, are also listed; check with them which programmes and qualifications they offer in the field.

Examples from the schools' own pages: the University of Florida offers BLA and MLA programmes accredited by LAAB, as well as a PhD. Within the SUNY system, the College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) in Syracuse has LAAB-accredited BLA and MLA programmes; its MLA is designed for applicants with no undergraduate design or planning background, and its Master of Science is a research-focused post-professional degree.

All programmes are taught in English. EducationUSA notes that there is no official ranking of US universities and advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the intended start.

Admission and visa

Undergraduates apply to the university and then to the major, following each school's procedure. For the MLA, a first degree in another field is the normal starting point; requirements such as a portfolio or test scores vary, so check each programme. International students need an F student visa for degree study. EducationUSA points out that a school certified to issue visa documents may not hold national or regional accreditation, so check both the institution's accreditation and the programme's LAAB status.

Licensing and recognition

All US states require landscape architects to be licensed. Candidates must pass a licensing exam, the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.), administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). Most states expect a degree from an accredited programme plus supervised work experience, although many states offer alternative paths with more experience for candidates without a landscape architecture degree. Some states add their own exam on local issues, such as earthquakes in California or hurricanes in Florida. Students who plan to work outside the United States should check how their home country recognises a US degree.

Careers

Graduates work in design and planning offices, landscaping firms, public agencies and their own practices. According to the BLS, landscape architects held about 23,500 jobs in 2025, half of them in architectural, engineering and related services. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent between 2025 and 2035, with about 1,700 openings a year, and the median annual wage was $79,870 in May 2025.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a landscape architecture degree take in the United States?

A BLA or BSLA usually takes 4 to 5 years. An MLA for students with a first degree in another field typically takes 3 years of full-time study.

Can I study landscape architecture at master's level without a design background?

Yes. The MLA is designed for graduates from other fields; SUNY ESF, for example, describes its MLA as a programme for applicants with no undergraduate design or planning background.

What does LAAB accreditation mean?

The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board accredits professional BLA and MLA programmes. Most states expect a degree from an accredited programme before candidates can take the licensing exam.

Do I need a licence to work as a landscape architect?

Yes. All US states require landscape architects to be licensed, which usually means an accredited degree, supervised experience and passing the L.A.R.E.