Landscape Architecture, B.S.: 120 units

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Offered by: College of Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture Department

Major Required
Major Electives

Unrestricted Electives
General Education Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) is a 120-unit professional degree preparing students for careers in Landscape Architects and allied disciplines. The BSLA curriculum includes study of the elements and principles of art, design and planning processes, environmental analysis, graphic and visual communication, plants and planting design, construction methods and sustainability, professional practice, and environmental history and theory. Our learn-by-doing education uses learning formats including, but not limited to lectures, seminars, studios, frequent jury reviews, discussion, and field trips. The program prepares students to be socially proactive, environmentally responsible, technically strong and sophisticated designers. Cal Poly Pomona’s BSLA degree is nationally accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, and approved by the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards as fulfilling part of the qualification requirements for professional licensure in all 50 states.

As of fall 2007, all undergraduate and graduate students entering the College of Environmental majors are required to purchase a computer (preferably a laptop) that meets minimum specifications of the programs (please contact the department for details). Financial aid assistance for this computer purchase is available to students qualifying for Federal Student Aid (requested via the FAFSA application). Please contact the University’s Office of Financial Aid (909-869-3700) for additional information.

All landscape architecture students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in all major required and major elective courses.

Major Required: 57 units

Major Electives: 15 units

Landscape Architecture History Electives: 6 units

Students are required to take a minimum of six (6) units from the following list of department history electives. Students planning on studying abroad are encouraged to discuss history options with their major advisor.

Landscape Architecture Electives: 9 units

Students are required to take a minimum of nine (9) units of approved major electives. Students may select from the list below and see department for approved courses. Students are encouraged to consult with their major advisor to consider approving minor program courses and/or courses related to major but not on department approved list.

LA 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
LA 4782 - Evolving Issues in Environmental Design (3)
LA XXXX - Landscape Architecture History Course

Note(s):

LA 4990 may be taken more than once for elective credit. LA 4782 may be taken more than once for elective credit upon completion of major core course requirement. Landscape Architecture History course may be taken for elective credit once the required history elective requirements are met.

Note(s):

International Study Abroad Course Options

Students planning on studying abroad are required to take a series of core courses. Students are encouraged to discuss course options for the various abroad programs with their major advisor. Study abroad course options may include the following courses:

Unrestricted Electives: 0-12 units

Select a sufficient number of courses so that the total from “Major Required”, “Major Electives”, “GE”, and “Unrestricted Electives” is at least 120 units.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

Students should view their Degree Progress Report (DPR) for information regarding their General Education requirements. Unless specific GE courses are required for their major, please refer to the list of approved courses in the General Education Program in the University Catalog, https://catalog.cpp.edu. When viewing the catalog, students should select the catalog year associated with the GE requirements listed in their Degree Progress Report.

	Course	Term Taken	Grade
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Critical Thinking
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Physical Sciences
2. Life Sciences
3. Laboratory Activity
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
5. Science and Technology Synthesis
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-areas 1 and/or 2
1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis
Area D. Social Sciences (9 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. U.S. History and American Ideals
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government
4. Social Science Synthesis
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)
Area F. Ethnic Studies (3 units)

For an alternative and interdisciplinary way to complete some of their GE requirements, students may choose the Interdisciplinary General Education program, see below.

Interdisciplinary General Education: 18 units

An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program. Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major. Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.

How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:

GE Area	Courses
A2	IGE 1100 and IGE 1200 Category II students are eligible to enroll in IGE 1100 (Fall) and IGE 1200 (Spring) as a two-course sequence to fulfill GE Area A2. Students who choose this sequence will also satisfy GE Area C2. Category III and IV students need to enroll in English composition courses in the A2 GE course list.
C1	IGE 2350
C2	IGE 1100 , IGE 1200 , IGE 2150 , or IGE 2250
C3	IGE 3100
D1	IGE 2150 or IGE 2250 Also satisfy American Institutions Part A
D4	IGE 3100

A single course cannot be double-counted across multiple GE Areas.

revised 07/12/2024

American Institutions: 6 units

Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Areas D1 and D2.

Graduation Writing Test

All persons who receive undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT). The test must be taken by the semester following completion of 60 units for undergraduates.