Explore Our Programs
Our department is committed to providing a comprehensive education that equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the field of landscape architecture. Our program offerings include a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design/Landscape Architecture (BSENVD) and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture (MLA).
Environmental Design/Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design/Landscape Architecture (BSENVD)
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design/Landscape Architecture (BSENVD)
Our BSENVD program provides a solid foundation in environmental design principles, blending creativity with technical expertise. Students in this program will:
- Develop a strong understanding of sustainable design practices.
- Gain hands-on experience through studio projects and fieldwork.
- Learn to integrate ecological, social, and cultural aspects into their designs.
- Prepare for a variety of career paths in landscape architecture, urban planning, and environmental design.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The MLA program at NDSU is designed for those seeking advanced knowledge and skills in landscape architecture. This program focuses on:
- Advanced design techniques and methodologies.
- In-depth study of ecological and environmental systems.
- Exploration of innovative design solutions for contemporary challenges.
- Preparation for leadership roles in professional practice, research, and academia.
Program Start to Finish
Year 1: Students spend their first year developing an understanding of how designers make decisions and how landscape architecture determines the built environment via lectures, assigned readings, and design-related projects. At the end of year one, students are selected, based on their GPA and performance in first-year environmental design courses, plus additional submissions, for admittance to the landscape architecture program.
Year 2: Year two marks the beginning of intense landscape architectural design studio work that lays the foundation for successfully completing a Master of Landscape Architecture Degree. All classroom learning gets directly applied in the studio through individual and group projects. Students must buy a laptop in the fall semester of their second year.
Year 3: The third-year curriculum focuses on technical aspects of landscape architecture and early graduate-level work. Students are expected to apply these concepts in their studio projects. Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 after completion of the third year apply to the NDSU Graduate School to complete their master’s degree coursework.
Year 4: Students develop their capstone project (LA 672 and LA 642) and begin full-time graduate-level coursework in preparation for a research and design thesis project. Landscape architectural knowledge, ability, and self-reliance reach their peak as students approach graduation.
Year 5: The fifth year of study is an intensive research and design year culminating in the development and implementation of an individual design thesis program, project, and report.