Hi, I live in California and am looking for a Landscape Architecture program that offers a strong experiential program. It should have an embedded co-op program or internship requirement, but one where the programs helps place students. I’m also looking for one that has a strong post-grad employment rate in this field. So far, I’ve found Cal Poly SLO, and Purdue to be the strongest schools meeting these. Are there others? (not interested in Cal Poly Pomona).
Also interested in Environmental Design, Environmental Studies/Science, Geographic Information Science or similar, but looking for something hands-on, like a polytechnic.
It is new that they are calling the major Landscape Architecture, but their “Urban Landscape” major has been around for quite a while - my kid was accepted to that major in 2017 and it wasn’t brand-new then. It was modeled after the approach in Harvard’s LArch grad programs. Students did the same studio classes as Arch majors, in the first year, and then diverged. I haven’t looked closely to see how much the requirements have changed with the re-branding, but it was already kind of an LArch/Urban Planning hybrid.
U. of Cincinnati is a school that places an emphasis on co-ops in many of its majors. It offers certificates in GIS, Sustainable Landscape Design, and Urban Landscapes. I suspect one of its majors in geography (human-urban economic focus or environmental-physical focus) would probably best combine with one of those, based on your state interests. UC is also LAAB accredited for a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, so the profs there can also make sure you’re well prepared.
Rochester Institute of Technology: This school was an early adopter of incorporating co-ops as a core part of the school. It’s environmental science degree may prove interesting for you:
You may also be interested in the SUNY Environmental Studies & Forestry college. It’s a small college, but it’s adjacent to Syracuse and you’re also able to take classes there. You can read about SUNY ESF’s LAAB-accredited landscape architecture program that incorporates off-campus experiences.
You might start researching and I’d look at career outcomes. You are right, some schools are more hands on then others - but often, those are not as obvious as you think - so it’s best to reach out to schools to find out if they focus on theory or practice. And to ask them for career outcomes - they should have them for you.
Your other interests - like GIS - will be more commonly found.
PS - not sure if you have a cost issue, but as a Californian you have access to WUE. On the list for landscape architecture are Colorado State, Idaho, UNLV, South Dakota State, and Utah State.
Thanks, I happened to look at University of Cincinnati and RIT they look great- unfortunately, I think the cost will be prohibitive for us. Our max is probably $40k/yr, so even with merit aid, it would be too much. I appreciate the info, and especially U of C looks amazing!
I’m finding LA is a hard one as far as not too many options for undergrads. So GIS might be a better route. I have looked at WUE (and appreciate the reminder). There are some there that do have LA, but unfortunately it seems the ones I’m finding either are commuter schools or very remote, which makes things more challenging travel-wise. Probably very few schools will be 100% perfect, so we’ll have to see if it’s best to keep the major and give up on something else, or switch to another major.