Landscape Architecture

Program Description

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) combines art, ecology, engineering, and community engagement to create meaningful outdoor places.

Landscape architects work in diverse settings such as cities, towns, and regions, as well as wild areas, and on a variety of projects, including urban plazas, gardens and parks, mixed-use, residential design and development, educational and commercial campuses, community planning, trails and greenways, sports and event facilities, ecological restoration, and conservation planning.

In all of their work, landscape architects strive to develop places of beauty, justice, and functionality. They emphasize health and sustainability, for people, and for the planet.

During the BLA program at Washington State University’s School of Design and Construction students will:

• Learn practical, sought-after professional skills.
• Share and develop ideas with faculty that bring a range of professional and academic practice to the classroom.
• Team build with peers to address pressing issues via design.
• Become part of the School of Design and Construction, which includes Architecture, Interior Design, and Construction Management.
• Engage in real-world, hands-on, community projects.
• Experience new places on course field trips, study tours, and student activities.
• Share and develop ideas with students and faculty.
• Explore, imagine and create design solutions for the 21st century.
• Upon completing the degree, graduates can perform as entry level practitioners of landscape architecture. Additionally, they are able to take initiative, make critical judgments of designs and operate within a team context; all of which contributes to their future success as landscape architectural design professionals.

Career Opportunities

Visit the ASLA Career Discovery page for information on becoming a landscape architect. This page contains stories about landscape architects, videos about landscape architecture and architects, a PowerPoint presentation on the profession, a downloadable brochure on landscape architecture as a career, links to Bureau of Labor Statistics on the profession, results of ASLA’s annual graduating student survey, and examples of great landscape architecture.

There are a variety of career prep services offered through the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture’s Internships and Career Services office. Involvement with the American Society of Landscape Architects student chapter provides opportunities to engage in community service projects, help with school functions, and participate in national conferences and events.

LARE Exam

ASLA is working to enhance resources for professionals preparing to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination. It is critical for applicants to contact the licensing board in the state in which they wish to get licensed and take the exam to determine specific information about eligibility requirements, schedule, locations, and application deadlines. Be sure to understand the process to apply for license in your jurisdiction prior to taking the exam.