Landscape architects design attractive and functional public parks, gardens, play areas, residential areas, university campuses and public spaces. They also plan the location of buildings, roads, walkways, flowers, shrubs and trees within these environments. Landscape architecture students take courses such as landscape ecology, site design, landscape design, and construction. Other courses may include professional practice, the history of landscape architecture, and the science of plants and soil.
The program lasts three years or more without a degree in landscape architecture and two years with a degree in landscape architecture. These degrees must come from an accredited program approved by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). The next college-related step would be to read the list of courses offered to landscape architecture students, as well as the course descriptions. Through each project, landscape architects thoroughly investigate the history of their site and ensure that they preserve and craft what should not be left behind.
Despite limited employment growth, an average of 1,600 vacancies are projected for landscape architects every year, on average, over the decade. The current term landscape architecture became common after 1863, when Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed New York's Central Park. ASLA represents landscape architecture in the United States and is dedicated to education, advancing knowledge and expanding the skill set of landscape architects. While a master's degree in landscape architecture isn't required before starting to work in this position, it can increase your employability and increase your earning potential.
Let's take a look at what a landscape architect does so you can decide if they're a good fit for you as a career. Like a landscape in and of itself, moving from empty space to a finely cultivated result can require a great deal of planning and work, but it's more than possible. Be sure to talk to more than one teacher; each design instructor usually has their own school of thought and, in this way, you'll avoid having a limited picture of the vast world of landscape architecture. By meeting national requirements, a landscape architect can also obtain certification from the Council of Landscape Architects Registration Boards, which may be useful for obtaining a license in another state.
You can do an internship during your educational studies, or you can wait until your education is complete and look for a job as a trainee landscape architect or intern. But what about contacting experienced landscape architects and asking them what they would have said to themselves when they were 20? Or is he 30 years old? You might be surprised at the variety of answers you get. This is especially true if you're interested in landscape architecture, an interdisciplinary field with open opportunities. Whether designing a corporate campus, a playground in a small town, a national monument, or a university campus, landscape architects design outdoor spaces so that they are not only easy to use, but are also in harmony with the natural environment.
