University of Arkansas

The Department of Landscape Architecture offers two degrees, the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and the Bachelor of Landscape Studies.  The department also participates in the administration of the planning and planting design minors on campus.  With sustainability administered through the Fay Jones School, these degrees and minors offer students a robust package to develop the tools and acumen necessary to have an impact on making sustainable and resilient places for people and the planet.

The Department of Landscape Architecture focuses on design and advocacy.  The faculty in our department believe in the power of design and want to help our students and stakeholders become effective advocates to make positive and lasting change as collaborators and leaders.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture prepares students to practice landscape architecture as licensed professionals.  Landscape Architecture is the sustainability profession, with practitioners providing meaningful solutions to such pressing topics as, climate change and resilience, clean water and air, health wellness and aging, and habitat and loss of it due to cataclysmic events such as wildfire.  

The practice of landscape architecture ranges across the geographic spectrum from urban to suburban, rural and ecosystems.  Landscape architects appropriately use systems thinking in the planning and design of systems, and design thinking at many scales, including of course to make spaces and places people inhabit outside.  Planning and analysis projects for systems include habitat and conservation, watersheds, and infrastructure such as food and agriculture, energy, and transportation.  Design thinking enables landscape architects to create parks, plazas, greenways, community gardens, green alleyways, green roofs and walls, and innovative and natural stormwater treatment in urban sites and places.

Sustainable and resilient landscapes for residential areas are also a part of practice, ranging from high-density urban housing to rural landscapes.  Cultural landscapes and historic, designed sites are also in the domain of landscape architectural practice.  These represent an important body of work for practitioners.  From the broad list above, opportunities are legion to use planning, design and design thinking to make better places for all.

The  Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architectural Studies serves students who are interested in the design disciplines, but not professional practice. This four-year program suits students who seek careers in allied planning and design disciplines, including urban and regional planning, historic preservation, environmental law, and architectural history.  This degree is an excellent platform for students looking forward to graduate education in professions such as architecture, landscape architecture, geography, and urban and regional planning.

Landscape Architecture – Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board

The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in Landscape Architecture. LAAB recognizes the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, and Masters of Landscape Architecture. It accredits each program every six years, evaluating degree of conformance with established education standards.