Landscape Architecture Degree: Is it for You?

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

Looking for a good reason to attend landscape architecture school? The explosive growth in the commercial and residential real estate markets in recent years is one reason. It’s been a boon to landscape architects, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field to continue growing much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014.

All those new housing developments in the suburbs, in town centers, and downtown areas need landscape architects to design the appearance of outdoor space—the parking lots, sidewalks, terraces, and entryways.

Commercial developments need the same services. Landscape designers help make these spaces appear more pleasing by incorporating plant life in a creative, practical way in building design.

People who do these jobs are landscape architects. They typically have a landscape architecture degree and have some experience designing outdoor landscapes that complement a building or house’s architecture.

The Life of a Landscape Architect

Nearly one quarter of landscape architects work for themselves. The other 75 percent might work for a real estate developer, architecture firm, or government development agency. They spend time creating landscape designs indoors and the rest of their time surveying sites and overseeing the development of their designs at construction sites.

Landscape Architecture Degrees

Landscape architects increasing rely on software to perform their jobs. Computer assisted design (CAD) software, as it is known, is something you’ll learn about during landscape architecture school. During your studies you’ll also learn about differences in designing for residential sites versus commercial sites. Some landscape architecture degrees will focus on larger, utilitarian civic projects while others may focus more on highly creative, specialized projects for sites like museums, vacation homes, and mansions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most landscape architects have a bachelor’s or master’s-level landscape architecture degree. A bachelor’s degree is needed for most entry-level jobs. Master’s degrees are generally sought by those who seek to teach or develop a specialization in landscape architecture.

It’s a great time to attend landscape architecture school, what with all the increasing emphasis on design in America. There’s a greater interest in making our environments more beautiful, and that’s a win-win situation for designers and those who enjoy being in beautiful spaces, both indoor and outdoor.

Source

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.