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Landscape Architecture

The Landscape Architecture program at Texas A&M consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top ten programs. In this program, you’ll learn how to plan, design, oversee, build and nurture natural and built landscape environments such as parks, campuses, streetscapes, trails, plazas and residences.

You’ll enjoy a combination of classroom and real-world learning opportunities. With one of the most research-active faculties in the nation, even undergraduates can join our research efforts as we continue to push design innovation through evidence-based design.

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About the Landscape Architecture Program

The Texas A&M Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program is consistently ranked among the top landscape architecture programs in the country. Our program ranked 11th in the nation in DesignIntelligence’s 2019–2020 “Most Admired Landscape Architecture Schools,” and has been consistently ranked within the top 10 landscape architecture programs in the last decade. 

Students take studio classes that connect their learning to the professional world. This project-based coursework fosters innovation, assessment, and professional judgment. We also provide unique opportunities to conduct undergraduate research rooted in evidence-based design.

Our BLA program is a four-year accredited program by the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards under the auspices of the American Society of Landscape Architects. After completing your degree, you’ll be ready to enter the workforce, obtain licensure, or pursue a graduate degree at Texas A&M or another institution.

Areas of Emphasis

Careers

Our program prepares students to enter desirable industries and graduate programs after graduation.

The BLA program prepares students to become professional landscape architects in private and public sectors. Graduates are prepared for employment in a wide range of industries, including:

Our graduates have gained distinction for projects including residential communities, college campuses, and urban designs.

CareerMinimum SalaryMedian SalaryMaximum Salary
Landscape Architects$42,870$73,210$133,826
Land Developers$79,000$136,439$245,000
Via Glassdoor / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is a four-year undergraduate degree and requires a minimum of 128 credit hours:

Landscape architecture students must spend one semester away from College Station, studying abroad or completing an internship. Study abroad students travel to Bonn, Germany, and take 9–12 hours of studio-based classes. Students on internships spend a semester working for landscape architecture firms around the country.

Degree Plan 2022 – 2023*

Total credit hours: 128

For more details about each course, view the listings in the Texas A&M Course Catalog:

Year 1 33 credit hours

Fall Semester – 16 credit hours

ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric 3 credit hours
Composition and Rhetoric. Focus on referential and persuasive researched essays through the development of analytical reading ability, critical thinking and library research skills.
LAND 101 Introduction to Landscape Architectural Practice 1 credit hour
Explores and evaluates the diversity of landscape architectural practice; defines the traditional practice forms and examines evolving and boundary expanding opportunities for future practice; introduces the departmental curriculum and faculty.
LAND 111 Landscape Architecture Communications 1 3 credit hours
Introduction to basic drafting and drawing required for landscape architecture projects, introduction to basic concepts, principles of graphic composition and pencil sketching techniques.
MATH 168 Finite Mathematics 3 credit hours
Linear equations and applications; systems of linear equations, matrix algebra and applications, linear programming, probability and applications, statistics. Only one of the following will satisfy the requirements for a degree: MATH 140 or MATH 168.
URPN 220 Digital Communication 1 3 credit hours
Applications of computer graphics, rendering, and visualization software in urban design, landscape architecture, and environmental analysis; introduction to basic concepts and principles of graphic composition; rendering, visualization, and linkages to landscape-referenced data.
American History 3 credit hours
Refer to the course catalog for information about American history courses.

Spring Semester – 17 credit hours

ARCH 250 Survey of World Architecture History II 3 credit hours
Survey of World Architecture History II. A survey of world architecture and the human-designed and built environment from the 13th to the 19th century.
LAND 112 Landscape Architecture Communications II 3 credit hours
Advanced study in traditional and computer-based communication techniques in landscape architecture including studio explorations in concept and analysis graphics, color sketching, perspective drawing and rendering, desktop publishing, image capturing and manipulation, and compilation of graphic presentations; lecture, demonstrations and studio assignments.
MATH 142 Business Calculus 3 credit hours
Limits and continuity; techniques and applications of derivatives including curve sketching and optimization; techniques and applications of integrals; emphasis on applications in business, economics, and social sciences.
Life and Physical Sciences Core Curriculum 5 credit hours
Refer to the course catalog for information about life and physical sciences courses.
General Elective (Upper Level) 3 credit hours
Refer to the course catalog for information about general elective courses.
Year 2 34 credit hours

Fall Semester – 17 credit hours

LAND 240 History of Landscape Architecture 4 credit hours
Introduction to history of land use, urban design and planning, and site design from prehistory to the present in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia; contemporary issues in landscape architecture such as sustainability, ecological design, and professional roles, both historically and at present, with comparisons to American examples.
LAND 211 Landscape Design 1 3 credit hours
Beginning studio course in land design; forces that produce useable three-dimensional site-space relationships; problems presented to give a basic knowledge, scope and application of landscape architecture design principles. Overnight field trip required.
LAND 231 Landscape Construction 1 4 credit hours
First construction studio course; aspects of site engineering and consideration of earth bound elements in land development; contours, landform, grading design, drainage principles, cut and fill computations, basic hydraulics and hydrology, stormwater management.
POLS 206 American National Government 3 credit hours
Survey of American national government, politics, and constitutional development; also taught at Galveston and Qatar campuses.
American History 3 credit hours
Refer to the course catalog for information about American history courses.

Spring Semester – 17 credit hours

ECCB 205 Fundamentals of Ecology 3 credit hours
Principles of ecology using a holistic approach treating plants, animals and humans as one integrated whole; composition, structure, nutrient cycles and energetics of biotic communities; adaptations to environmental factors; biotic relationships; and problems of environmental quality and resource use.
ECCB 215 Fundamentals of Ecology–Laboratory 1 credit hour
Sampling and estimating plant-animal populations, measuring environmental factors and recognizing and studying morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations of plants and animals to biotic or abiotic influences.
LAND 212 Landscape Design 2 4 credit hours
Continuation of LAND 318; basic design principles that combine natural systems (such as landform, water, vegetation, wildlife habitat, soils, climate) and human-built systems (such as roads, building utilities).
LAND 232 Landscape Construction 2 3 credit hours
Second construction studio course; essential construction materials and systems applied in landscape development; topics include statics and mechanics of simple structures; properties and procedures of wood, masonry and concrete construction; construction sequencing and material costs; development of a construction document package required. Construction observation field trips required.
POLS 207 State and Local Government 3 credit hours
Survey of state and local government and politics with special reference to the constitution and politics of Texas; also taught at Galveston and Qatar campuses.
URPN 320 or URPN 325 Digital Communications II or Introduction to GIS in Urban and Regional Planning 3 credit hours
Advanced applications of computer graphics, rendering, and visualization software in urban design, landscape architecture, and environmental analysis; introduction to basic concepts and principles of graphic composition, rendering, visualization, and linkages to landscape-referenced data OR An understanding of GIS fundamentals; basic concepts, principles and functions; essential skills for applying GIS in various fields such as urban planning, landscape architecture, land development, environmental studies, transportation and hazard management; based on learning through class projects.
Year 3 35 credit hours

Fall Semester – 17 credit hours

ENGL 210 Technical and Business Writing 3 credit hours
Focus on writing for professional rhetorical situations; correspondence and researched reports fundamental to the workplace—memoranda, letters, electronic correspondence, research proposals and presentations; use of visual rhetoric and document design in print and electronic mediums; emphasis on audience awareness, clarity of communication and collaborative team-work.
HORT 306 Trees and Shrubs for Sustainable Built Environments 3 credit hours
Better known woody ornamental trees and shrubs; identification, morphology, classification, nomenclature and adaptability for use in landscape environments.
LAND 241 History and Development of Landscape Architecture in North America 5 credit hours
Interaction between people and the land in North America from first settlement to the present; settlement patterns, sustainable land use, urban design and plan, and site design in context of cultural, social, and technological factors; current issues in landscape architecture, landscape urbanism, and land-use planning.
LAND 311 Landscape Design III 3 credit hours
Design process, sustainable landscape design, synthesis and design refinement; problems to stimulate highly creative self-motivated results, design thinking to integrate behavioral settings into natural and/or built landscape systems.
URPN Elective** 3 credit hours
Select between URPN 201 The Evolving City, URPN 330 Land Development I, and URPN 370 Health Systems Planning.

Spring Semester – 18 credit hours

HORT 308 Plants for Sustainable Landscapes 3 credit hours
Identification and use of indigenous and introduced landscape plants; plants for special uses in urban environments; emphasis on plants' ornamental attributes, cultural requirements, and adaptability in urban and suburban environments.
LAND 301 Landscape Architecture Theory 5 credit hours
Relevant theoretical discourse in landscape architecture, urban planning and urban design; urban theory, social and cultural theory; critical and creative thinking; ecological planning and design; design process and sustainable development; environmental philosophy and environmental aesthetics.
LAND 312 Landscape Design IV 3 credit hours
Continuation of LAND 311; land design projects of increased complexity and emphasis on sustainability, with site scale problems used to demonstrate complete design thought. One or more field trips may be required.
LAND 331 Landscape Construction III 4 credit hours
Third construction studio course; sustainable water management techniques in landscape development; theory, principles and techniques of low impact development; construction document preparation, working drawings, project layout and design; theory and principles of irrigation and lighting design
URPN 202 Building Better Cities 3 credit hours
Determinants of land use patterns; classification of uses; idealized conceptual alternatives; location and size criteria; mapping; comprehensive planning process, relationship to circulation planning.

Summer Semester – 0 credit hours

LAND 484 Summer Internship 0 credit hours
Practical experience in an office of design allied professionals; 10 week internship with a minimum of 400 hours; continuous employment; departmental pre-approval through the department internship coordinator required. Must be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Year 4 20-26 credit hours

Fall Semester – 6 or 12 credit hours

LAND 494 or CARC 301 Internship or Field Studies in Design Innovation 6 credit hours
An internship (15 week, 600 hours) with a landscape architecture or landscape architecture-related company that exposes the student to landscape architectural professional practice; monthly reports, final internship portfolio and internship supervisor assessment letter required; distance education course with non-resident status OR Design innovation in international and domestic environments away from the Texas A&M University campus; emphasis on the cultural, social, economic, geographical, climatic and technological factors influencing design solutions for human needs.
Study Abroad or General Elective (Upper Level)** 6 credit hours
Refer to the course catalog for information about these electives.

Spring Semester – 14 credit hours

LAND 412 Landscape Design IV 5 credit hours
Capstone studio; advanced study and research designed to go beyond the core design experience; introduction of issues, methodologies, tools and techniques developing in professional practice.
LAND 431 Professional Practice 3 credit hours
Procedures, management and ethical frameworks in which professional landscape architectural practice occurs; topics include forms of practice, employment, proposal preparation, fee and contract structures, project management, roles of the landscape architect, presentations and public participation, legal and ethical responsibilities.
PHIL 314 Environmental Ethics 3 credit hours
Moral basis of duties to preserve or protect plants, animals and environmental systems; foundations of environmental law and policy; the idea of nature in philosophy; critique of social and economic analyses of environmental values.
URPN Elective** 3 credit hours
Select URPN 361 Urban Issues or URPN 460 Sustainable Communities

*Subject to change

**See advisor for a list of approved courses

A grade of C or better is required in courses under major coursework and supporting coursework.

Semester away can be fulfilled by study abroad or study at an approved other university (12 hours) or internship (6 hours).

Study abroad students will take CARC 301, CARC 311, and CARC 331. Other university courses will be approved individually through an advisor.

Internship students will register for LAND 494 in 4th year, fall semester. Approved PHIL elective course and an upper level general elective must be taken in semesters other than fall, 4th year.

Any student transferring or changing majors into landscape architecture should understand that the program consists of 4 years of sequential studio courses, with the sequence beginning in a fall semester. It will take at least 4 years to complete the curriculum. Therefore, students should have less than 60 hours total to avoid going over the state hour limit.

Featured Courses

LAND 111 Landscape Architecture Communications I
LAND 311 Landscape Design III
LAND 412 Landscape Design VI

Preparing for the BLA Program

High school students can take the following courses to prepare for the LAUP program. These courses are not required, but recommended to students who are interested in pursuing a BLA:

Helpful Resources

Office of Information Technology

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LAUP

American Society of Landscape Architects Accreditation

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Student Services

Now That You’re Admitted Checklist

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Accreditation

The Texas A&M Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program is a four-year degree program that is accredited by the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards under the auspices of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Provisional accreditation was first granted for the BSLA program in 1971. Our program has maintained accredited status since that time.Programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) are required to provide reliable information to the public. Programs must report on accreditation status and its performance (PDF). This information is to help potential students make informed application decisions.

Professional Licensure and Certificate Disclosure Statement

Approximately 25% of the registered landscape architects in the state of Texas graduated from the Texas A&M University landscape architecture programs. Our graduates are prepared for employment with private design firms and with federal, state, or local government agencies. Upon graduation, students are qualified to pursue licensure in the profession or post-graduate education in landscape architecture or a related field. 

Programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) are required to provide reliable information to the public. Programs must report on accreditation status and its performance. This information is to help potential students make informed application decisions. 

Notice to students pursuing programs that may lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

These programs may lead to a professional license or certification that is required for employment. Professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student’s ability to apply for a professional license/certification upon the completion of the program. The U.S. Department of Education regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) requires an institution to disclose whether the program will fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification for each state. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.

ProgramBachelor of Landscape Architecture
MeetsAL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KX, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY; DC, VI, AS, CNMI, GU, MH, FM, PR, PW
Does not meet—
A determination has not been made—

We recommend students contact the appropriate state licensing agency in their state or the state where they intend to work to seek the most up-to-date information about state licensure/certification requirements before beginning the program. 

Pertinent information related to the importance of licensure in landscape architecture can be found at https://www.asla.org/licensure.aspx. 

Pertinent information related to experience requirements for licensure for landscape architects can be found at https://www.clarb.org/learn-about-licensure#how 

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