Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture is the art of planning the appropriate use of land and designing the built environment based on an understanding of natural and cultural site characteristics, human need, and sound artistic and technical competence.
The scope of landscape architecture includes site design, land use, and urban planning at all scales. A landscape architect is responsible for the organization and placement of buildings, recreational facilities, roads, grading, and planting design. Temple's curriculum focuses on appropriate functional and ecological "fit," by using a design approach and techniques that work with and protect the natural environment.
Careers in public landscape architecture include positions with regional, county, and city planning commissions, and park, recreation, housing, and transportation agencies. Private practice includes the design of recreational, residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial projects, as well as the overall planning of new communities. Environmental protection, historical restoration, and land reclamation efforts could also be an important part of your role as a landscape architect.
Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture are offered at the Ambler Campus with a portion of the coursework also available on Temple's Main campus. The Landscape Architecture Program has access to the Ambler Arboretum at Temple University and The Temple University Field Station at Ambler. Faculty and students use these resources in coursework and research. For more information see: https://ambler.temple.edu/arboretum and https://ambler.temple.edu/fieldstation.
Sasha W. Eisenman, Ph.D., Chair, Architecture and Environmental Design
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Dixon Hall, Room 201
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA 19002
267-468-8168
eisenman@temple.edu
Rob Kuper, PLA, ASLA, Landscape Architecture Programs Curricular Coordinator
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Bright Hall, Room 101B
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA 19002
267-468-8179
rkuper@temple.edu
Licensure/Certification
Licensure in Landscape Architecture is required to use the title "landscape architect" in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Licensure for landscape architects is state regulated and must be obtained through achievement of three necessary components: (i) education; (ii) professional practice experience; and (iii) examination requirements. To obtain licensure, all states require candidates to pass the Landscape Architectural Registration Exam, which is administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). Additionally, a majority of states require a degree that is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accrediting Board (LAAB). Temple University's Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture are accredited by LAAB, and prepare students to sit for the Landscape Architectural Registration Exam.
Additional requirements (such as exams, questionnaires, or training) may be required based on the individual requirements of the state in which you intend to become licensed.
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major.
University Requirements
- MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement assessment.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. LARC 2496 and LARC 4198 are the specific writing-intensive courses that are required for Landscape Architecture majors.
- Students must complete the requirements of the university General Education (GenEd) program.
- Summer or semester study abroad will satisfy the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement.
Major Requirements
No more than one grade below a C- is allowed in any course in either Landscape Architecture or Horticulture.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HORT 1211 | Woody Plants I (fall only) | 3 |
| HORT 1212 | Woody Plants II (spring only) | 3 |
| HORT 2114 | Soils (spring only) | 3 |
| HORT 2221 | Herbaceous Plants I | 3 |
| LARC 1044 | Landscape Architecture Foundation I | 3 |
| LARC 1144 | Landscape Architecture Foundation II | 3 |
| LARC 1111 | Introduction to Green Careers in Landscape Architecture | 1 |
| LARC 1544 | Landscape Architecture Computer Technology I (spring only) | 3 |
| LARC 2143 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio I (fall only) | 6 |
| LARC 2144 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio II (spring only) | 6 |
| LARC 2241 | Landscape Engineering I (fall only) | 3 |
| LARC 2243 | Landscape Engineering II | 3 |
| LARC 2496 | Landscape Traditions | 3 |
| LARC 2551 | Landscape Architecture Computer Technology II (fall only) | 3 |
| LARC 3145 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio III (fall only) | 6 |
| LARC 3146 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV: Design/Build (spring only) | 6 |
| LARC 3345 | Planting Design | 3 |
| LARC 3644 | Professional Practice (spring only) | 3 |
| LARC 4147 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio V: Fall Senior Studio (fall only) | 6 |
| LARC 4198 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio VI: Spring Senior Studio (spring only) | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 76 | |
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2021-2022 Academic Year
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Note: The symbol after the course number indicates that the class is offered ONLY in the semester indicated | ||
| (F) = offered only in fall semester | ||
| (S) = offered only in spring semester | ||
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| LARC 1111 | Introduction to Green Careers in Landscape Architecture | 1 |
| LARC 1044 | Landscape Architecture Foundation I | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course1 | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARC 1544 | Landscape Architecture Computer Technology I (S) | 3 |
| LARC 1144 | Landscape Architecture Foundation II | 3 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LARC 2143 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio I (F) | 6 |
| LARC 2241 | Landscape Engineering I (F) | 3 |
| LARC 2551 | Landscape Architecture Computer Technology II (F) | 3 |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARC 2144 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio II (S) | 6 |
| LARC 2496 | Landscape Traditions [WI] | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LARC 3145 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio III (F) | 6 |
| LARC 2243 | Landscape Engineering II | 3 |
| HORT 1211 | Woody Plants I | 3 |
| HORT 2221 | Herbaceous Plants I | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARC 3146 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV: Design/Build (S) | 6 |
| HORT 1212 | Woody Plants II | 3 |
| HORT 2114 | Soils1 | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LARC 4147 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio V: Fall Senior Studio (F) | 6 |
| GenEd Breadth Course2 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| LARC 3345 | Planting Design | 3 |
| LARC 3644 | Professional Practice (S) | 3 |
| LARC 4198 | Landscape Architecture Design Studio VI: Spring Senior Studio [WI] (Capstone, S) | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 124 | |
| 1 | Satisfactory completion of one GenEd Science (GS) course and HORT 2114 will waive the two-course GenEd Science (GS) requirement. |
| 2 | The GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement may be waived with an approved study abroad program. |
Rome Option
Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture students may study abroad in the fall semester of their fourth year. Students who plan to study abroad are encouraged to meet with an advisor as early as the freshman year. It takes careful planning with an advisor to ensure that the degree is completed as efficiently as possible. Spending a semester studying abroad in Rome will waive the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year 4 Fall semester- Rome option | ||
| Electives | 10 | |
| ARCH 3234 | Architectural Design Studio in Rome | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 | |