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Landscape Architecture

The Landscape Architecture program is one of approximately 63 accredited programs in the United States. The curriculum is reviewed periodically by the nationally organized Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board and has been fully accredited since 1991.

Landscape architects provide a wide variety of professional services for individual clients, organizations, corporations, and government agencies. They are involved at every phase of the development of a site, from the initial discussion of ideas with the client through the supervision of construction for the project.

Master planning of parks, zoos, golf courses, playgrounds, and recreation areas are familiar projects for landscape architects. They may also design multifunctional areas for urban renewal projects, college campuses, industrial parks, new communities, natural areas, reclaimed lands, and wetlands.

Besides designing sites, landscape architects often select building locations, prepare cost estimates, initiate long-range planning studies, determine utility corridors, and prepare environmental impact statements for future construction. Whether specializing within a large firm of landscape architects or working in a small professional office, the landscape architect is often collaborating with other professionals, such as engineers, city planners, and architects.

Most landscape architects spend some of their time at the drawing board or computer. They also spend many hours in the field, investigating and analyzing potential project sites, developing field notes for design layouts, completing visual surveys, and supervising construction. It is at the computer and drawing board that projects are actually organized and shaped into a creative and imaginative solution. The work and responsibility of each landscape architect depends principally on individual interests and abilities. Opportunities may range from professional practice on a small scale to administration of governmental programs.

Those who plan careers in landscape architecture should be able to work independently, have a capacity for solving technical problems, be artistically inclined, and be willing to learn computer use. They should be prepared to work in the competitive environment of the profession, where great value is placed on leadership and the ability to work effectively with others. The range of interests and knowledge required in the profession of landscape architecture is broad; therefore, the courses required of students include many fields of study options.

Selective Admission

Admission into the first-year Pre-Landscape Architecture program is open to any student enrolled at NDSU. Transfer students are evaluated on the basis of courses taken and grades received. Upon completion of the first year, a selected number of students are admitted to the second year of the program. The basis for selection is institutional GPA and performance in first-year environmental design courses.

Special Notice

Students in the second year of the program will be required to purchase a laptop computer. Information on type of computer, software, purchase, and financing arrangements will be distributed to students prior to purchase.

Major Requirements

Major: Landscape Architecture

Degree Types: B.S. (Environmental Design) & B.L.A. (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture)
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: B.S. - 130; B.L.A. - 160

General Education Requirements

First Year Experience (F):
UNIV 189Skills For Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take UNIV 189.)1
Communication (C):
ENGL 110College Composition I3
ENGL 120College Composition II3
ENGL 326Writing in the Design Professions3
or ENGL 357 Visual Culture and Language
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Quantitative Reasoning (R): Select from current general education list3
Science & Technology (S):
Select from current general education list. A one-credit lab must be taken as a co-requisite with a general education science/technology course unless the course includes an embedded lab experience equivalent to a one-credit course.10
Humanities & Fine Arts (A):
ENVD 101Introduction to Environmental Design3
ARCH 321History and Theory of Architecture I3
Social & Behavioral Sciences (B):
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
or SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology
ANTH 111Introduction to Anthropology3
Wellness (W): Select from current general education list2
Cultural Diversity (D):
ANTH 111Introduction to Anthropology3
Global Perspectives (G):
ARCH 321History and Theory of Architecture I3
Total Credits40

Major Requirements

General Education Requirements40
Environmental Design Requirements
ENVD 130Drawing for Environmental Designers3
ENVD 172Environmental Design Fundamentals4
LA 231Landscape Architecture Graphics3
LA 232Design Technology3
LA 271Introduction to Landscape Architecture Studio6
LA 272Parks & Open Spaces Studio6
LA 322History of Landscape Architecture4
LA 331Graphics III: Design Communication3
LA 341Site Development and Detailing I4
LA 342Site Development and Detailing II4
LA 371Site Planning & Design Studio6
LA 372Community Planning & Design Studio6
LA 441Site Development and Detailing III4
LA 471Urban Design Studio6
LA 472Remediation & Planting Design Studio6
LA 552Advanced Landscape Planning3
PLSC 355Woody Landscape Plants3
Landscape Design Requirements
LA 563Programming and Thesis Preparation3
LA 571Environmental Planning Studio6
LA 572Design Thesis (Capstone) A grade of "C" or better is required)8
LA 581Professional Practice3
LA 590Seminar3
Degree Electives:
Potential of 19 credits to reach 130 for B.S.19
Potential of 25 credits to reach 160 for B.L.A.25
Total Credits162

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • A student must complete at least 60 semester credits of professional level course work in his/her program while in residence and enrolled in the college. Students transferring into the college from programs with professional accreditation are exempt from this residency requirement but are subject to the residency requirement of NDSU.
  • Transfer courses with grades of ‘D’ will count towards total graduation credits but will not satisfy specific degree requirements.

Minor Requirements

Landscape Architecture Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 19

Core Courses
LA 231Landscape Architecture Graphics3
LA 271Introduction to Landscape Architecture Studio6
Electives: Select ten credits of the following:10
Design Technology
Parks & Open Spaces Studio
History of Landscape Architecture
Site Development and Detailing I
Site Development and Detailing II
Site Development and Detailing III
Total Credits19

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
  • Architecture majors may substitute 6 credits of other LA courses in the core area.  A substitution form signed by the LA department chairperson will be required to submit to the Office of Registration and Records for these substitutions. 
  • The studio is not required for architecture majors.
First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENVD 1013ENVD 172 or 1304-3
ENVD 130 or 1723-4ENGL 1203
ENGL 1103COMM 1103
Science/Tech General Eduction Requirement3ANTH 1113
PSYC 111 or SOC 1103Quantitative Reasoning Requirement3
UNIV 1891Wellness Requirement3
 16-17 19-18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LA 2716LA 2726
LA 2313LA 2323
ARCH 3213LA 3224
PLSC 3553Science/Tech General Eduction Requirement3
 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LA 3716LA 3726
LA 3414LA 3424
LA 3313ENGL 326 or 3573
Science General Eduction Requirement3Elective/Minor3
Science Lab General Eduction Requirement1 
 17 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LA 4716LA 472 or ARCH 4746
LA 5523LA 4414
Elective/Minor4LA 5903
Elective/Minor3Elective/Minor3
 16 16
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LA 5716LA 5728
LA 5633Elective/Minor3
LA 5813Elective/Minor3
Elective/Minor3 
 15 14
Total Credits: 160