Landscape architect training entails taking fundamental courses in high school such as horticulture, earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture, completing an internship, and passing the certification or licensure exams. Entry requirements vary jurisdiction, so those interested in the field should check with their state licensing department or a major certifying agency for the most up-to-date information. In most cases, academic training takes four to seven years, with required internships taking one to three years longer.
Landscape architecture training can begin as early as high school for those interested in becoming landscape architects. Ecology, biology, horticulture, and chemistry are all relevant courses in this field. Because much of landscape architecture work involves creating blueprints or models for landscape designs, an emphasis in math or computers is also beneficial. Working as a groundskeeper’s assistant, landscaper’s assistant, or nursery manager’s assistant during this time can provide some basic hands-on experience relevant to the industry.
Undergraduate study at a college or university is the first step toward becoming a landscape architect. A bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum for entry into the industry, though many employers prefer master’s degrees. When choosing a school, students should make sure the institution is accredited a major landscape agency in their area. The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects, for example, is the major accrediting agency in the United States.
Landscape architects typically take courses in surveying, landscape design, geology, computer aided design, model building, site design, and landscape ecology while pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Construction, urban and regional planning, video simulation, and general management are among the other courses available. Some of the training is done through hands-on projects, which allow students to work in real-world settings under supervision. A summer internship is recommended many programs.
Although a bachelor’s degree is preferred for landscape architect training, some master’s degree programs allow those without a landscape architecture degree to enter the field. Because they must spend some time teaching some of the information that is normally included in bachelor’s degree programs, these programs take three years to complete instead of the usual two. This is a good option for people who want to pursue landscape architecture as a career later on.
Following the completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, landscape architects must become certified or licensed, depending on their jurisdiction’s requirements. This usually necessitates a certain number of years of experience, as well as passing one or more state or major certifying agency exams. A landscape architect in the United States, for example, must pass the Landscape Architecture Registration Examination (LARE), which requires one to four years of experience and a landscape architecture degree. Architects are occasionally required to take an additional state exam that focuses on regionally specific architectural regulations. Landscape architects must have a bachelor’s degree, pass the LARE exam, and complete a three-year supervised internship.