The Mission of the Department is to offer nationally recognized, professionally accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Landscape Architecture that focus on Urban Ecological Design. We endeavor to train students to become innovative practitioners and leaders in both public service and private practice, and to create positive change in our communities, region, and world. The training that we provide for students builds a design expertise based on both intellectual and experiential understanding of human and natural systems, gained through an iterative and interdisciplinary approach to project-based learning.

The Department of Landscape Architecture offers:

• Accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) degree program
• Accredited Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree program
• Minor in Landscape Studies
• Certificate in Therapeutic/Healing Gardens
• Certificate in Urban Green Infrastructure (begins in Spring 2010)

The Department also contributes to the PhD program in the Built Environment, the Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Urban Design and Planning, and the College-wide Certificate Programs in Urban Design and Preservation.

In addition, the Department is investigating the need within the local and regional community for certificate programs for practicing professionals to maintain cutting-edge skills and for extension programs for continuing education students interested in learning more about Landscape Architecture.

The core curricula of our degree programs provide students with strong professional skills in design (based in theory, historical precedent, science, environmental and social context, and creativity), site and landscape planning, construction technologies and processes, and communications (graphic, written, verbal, and digital).

The Department proactively engages with other programs within the University, as well as local communities, the larger metropolitan region and the world through research and design. We strive to be increasingly recognized for leadership in innovative teaching, research on emerging social and environmental issues, and community-building service.