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
- Environmental and ecological sciences
- Land surveying and grading
- Hydrology and stormwater management
- Land art and aesthetic arrangement
- Advanced 2D and 3D visualization and rendering
- Land use and spatial analytics
- Landform arrangement and programming
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:
- landscape architecture
- engineering
- architecture or planning firms
- government agencies
Our graduates have gained distinction for projects including residential communities, college campuses, and urban designs.
| Career | Minimum Salary | Mean Salary | Maximum Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Architects | $50,000 | $73,500 | $97,000 |
| Urban Designers | $52,000 | $71,500 | $91,000 |
| Environmental Planner | $52,000 | $72,500 | $93,000 |
| Parks and Recreation Planner | $53,000 | $69,000 | $85,000 |
| Ecological Restoration Specialist | $45,000 | $62,500 | $80,000 |
| Sustainable Design Consultant | $55,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 |
| Project Manager (Landscape) | $60,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
| GIS Specialist | $50,000 | $67,500 | $85,000 |
| Landscape Contractor | $50,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 |
| Historic Landscape Preservationist | $47,000 | $61,000 | $75,000 |
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is a four-year undergraduate degree and requires a minimum of 128 credit hours:
- 42 hours university core curriculum
- 9 hours upper-level general electives
- 56 hours LAND major coursework
- 21 hours supporting coursework (primarily URPN and HORT)
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
LAND 101 Introduction to Landscape Architectural Practice 1 credit hour
LAND 111 Landscape Architecture Communications 1 3 credit hours
MATH 168 Finite Mathematics 3 credit hours
URPN 220 Digital Communication 1 3 credit hours
American History 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 17 credit hours
ARCH 250 Survey of World Architecture History II 3 credit hours
LAND 112 Landscape Architecture Communications II 3 credit hours
MATH 142 Business Calculus 3 credit hours
Life and Physical Sciences Core Curriculum 5 credit hours
General Elective (Upper Level) 3 credit hours
Year 2 34 credit hours
Fall Semester – 17 credit hours
LAND 240 History of Landscape Architecture 4 credit hours
LAND 211 Landscape Design 1 3 credit hours
LAND 231 Landscape Construction 1 4 credit hours
POLS 206 American National Government 3 credit hours
American History 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 17 credit hours
ECCB 205 Fundamentals of Ecology 3 credit hours
ECCB 215 Fundamentals of Ecology–Laboratory 1 credit hour
LAND 212 Landscape Design 2 4 credit hours
LAND 232 Landscape Construction 2 3 credit hours
POLS 207 State and Local Government 3 credit hours
URPN 320 or URPN 325 Digital Communications II or Introduction to GIS in Urban and Regional Planning 3 credit hours
Year 3 35 credit hours
Fall Semester – 17 credit hours
ENGL 210 Technical and Business Writing 3 credit hours
HORT 306 Trees and Shrubs for Sustainable Built Environments 3 credit hours
LAND 241 History and Development of Landscape Architecture in North America 5 credit hours
LAND 311 Landscape Design III 3 credit hours
URPN Elective** 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 18 credit hours
HORT 308 Plants for Sustainable Landscapes 3 credit hours
LAND 301 Landscape Architecture Theory 5 credit hours
LAND 312 Landscape Design IV 3 credit hours
LAND 331 Landscape Construction III 4 credit hours
URPN 202 Building Better Cities 3 credit hours
Summer Semester – 0 credit hours
LAND 484 Summer Internship 0 credit hours
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
Study Abroad or General Elective (Upper Level)** 6 credit hours
Spring Semester – 14 credit hours
LAND 412 Landscape Design IV 5 credit hours
LAND 431 Professional Practice 3 credit hours
PHIL 314 Environmental Ethics 3 credit hours
URPN Elective** 3 credit hours
*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
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:
- AutoCAD or drafting courses
- Plant identification
- Site engineering
- Rendering and art courses
- Speech and leadership courses
Helpful Resources
Our Mission
The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program at Texas A&M University is an accredited, nationally recognized professional degree program providing evidence-based, engagement-driven education in landscape architecture.
The program’s comprehensive curriculum prepares creative leaders for the private and public practice of land planning and design to create sustainable, healthy, and resilient urban and regional landscapes that are ecologically sound, culturally appropriate, socially equitable, economically feasible, and experientially enjoyable.
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.
| Program | Bachelor of Landscape Architecture |
| Meets | AL, 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