2024-2025 University Catalog
Landscape Architecture
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 Return to: College of Environmental Design
https://env.cpp.edu/la/la
Andrew O. Wilcox, Chair
Kyle D. Brown
Barry Lehrman
Claire Latané
Weimin Li
Lee-Anne S. Milburn |
Susan Mulley
Philip N. Pregill
Rennie Tang
Gerald O. Taylor |
Landscape Architecture prepares students to resolve the ecological and social challenges of the 21st century by instilling creative and critical thinking skills, a sense of social responsibility, and the application of the theoretical, professional and technical knowledge base of landscape architecture. A highly creative and design-based discipline, Landscape Architecture has a deep foundation in sustainability and ecology, history and culture, context and community. Coursework includes study of the elements and principles of art, design and planning processes, graphic and visual communication, plants and planting design, site engineering and sustainable technologies, urban design and planning, and environmental design history. Instruction fosters the development of critical thinking, creative problem-solving abilities, collaborative capacity, communication skills, technical knowledge, environmental awareness, professional responsibilities, and ethics.
The Department of Landscape Architecture offers two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) and a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), along with a Minor.
The MLA and BSLA degree programs are nationally accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) and approved by the California Board of Landscape Architects as meeting part of the qualification requirements for professional licensure.
The Landscape Architecture Minor (24-units) introduces non‐major students to the approach, philosophy, values and contributions of landscape architecture to improving our environment and society. The minor is particularly suited to students majoring in the environmental design disciplines, business/real-estate, civil engineering/construction, ecology, earth sciences, geography, horticulture, or public policy. All minor students must maintain good standing with a 2.0 or better grade point average in all minor required and minor elective courses in order to earn the minor.
The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) is a 120-unit professional degree, nationally accredited by the LAAB. All BSLA students must maintain good standing with a 2.0 or better grade point average in all core and core elective courses in order to advance in the program.
The BSLA curriculum is organized as a four-year degree program. New students must begin the program in the fall semester. Students may enter the program directly from high school or as transfers from other institutions. In order to transfer into the program with advanced standing, a transfer must have the equivalent design, history and theory courses per the BSLA curriculum; and a portfolio review is required. Prospective transfer students are directed to the department website for more information.
The BSLA curriculum is organized to balance studio-based design labs with lecture courses. The lectures deliver core knowledge, methods, theories and procedures of landscape architecture, whereas the studio labs investigate and apply that information through design process. In most courses, students develop design proposals and/or technical solutions for actual sites with instruction, guidance, and critiques from faculty members. The BSLA program engages in extensive field trips and field study related to the curriculum to experience and evaluate built and natural landscapes across Southern California and beyond.
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is a 60-87 unit degree program offering both a First Professional/General Standing plan and a Post-Professional/Advanced Standing plan. The MLA is a professional degree, nationally accredited by the LAAB. All graduate students must maintain good standing with a 3.0 or better grade point average in a ll core and core elective courses in order to advance in the program.
The MLA curriculum is organized as a two to three year degree program. The MLA curriculum is organized to balance studio-based design labs and core lecture courses with a deep focus on ecological design and planning throughout the curriculum. The graduate lecture courses deliver core knowledge, methods, theories and procedures of landscape architecture, whereas the studio labs investigate and apply that information through advanced and large scale design process. The MLA program engages in field trips and field study related to the curriculum to experience and evaluate built and natural landscapes across Southern California and beyond.
New MLA students must begin the program in the fall semester. Students must meet all requirements for graduate admission to the university and the department. Prospective MLA students are directed to the department website for more information.
Holders of a BSLA or a MLA find career opportunities in private and public design practice; urban design and interdisciplinary practices; with municipal, county, state, and federal departments and agencies; with corporate, nonprofit and advocacy organizations. The student organization is affiliated with the American Society of Landscape Architects. Students who maintain a grade point average of 3.2 or higher are eligible for membership in Sigma Lambda Alpha, a national honorary society for students of Landscape Architecture.
The majority of course work within the Department of Landscape Architecture is open only to those students who have been admitted to the Department and are designated Landscape Architecture majors or minors. Three Landscape Architecture history/theory courses are also listed as GE courses satisfying Areas C1, C2 and E; these courses are open to all CPP students in other majors.
All undergraduate and graduate students entering College of Environmental Design majors are required to purchase a laptop computer that meets departmental specifications. All applicants are invited to check with their department office or go to the department’s website to obtain these specifications. Students qualifying for financial aid may submit a request with the financial aid office to add the cost of the laptop to their overall Cost of Attendance by completing a Cost of Attendance Appeal Form by following instructions on the Appeals web page: https://www.cpp.edu/financial-aid/resources/appeals.shtml. Ways to connect with the financial aid and scholarships office are listed on their website: https://www.cpp.edu/financial-aid/resources/contact.shtml.
ProgramsBachelorMinorMasterRoadmap: 4-yearCoursesLandscape Architecture
Open to LA majors only unless otherwise specified.
Return to: College of Environmental Design
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