Landscape Architecture Accreditation Information
LAAB Requirements
The professional program must provide a comprehensive disclosure about the professional program’s status and performance as set forth in Standard 1.E within a single-click link from the professional program’s website.
Program Disclosure
A professional program shall accurately disclose the following information about each landscape architecture degree in its literature, in its promotional media, and on its website:
- the professional program’s mission, objectives, and goals,
- accreditation status,
- estimated cost of attendance, including fellowship, assistantship, and scholarship opportunities and other financial support options to reduce the cost of attending,
- student retention and graduation rates,
- number of degrees granted per year,
- percentage of students with timely graduation,
- list of required and optional materials and equipment and provides an estimated cost as well as available shared resources or alternative access,
- supplemental and experiential learning opportunities associated costs and potentially available subsidies,
- i. post-graduation employment,
- number of licensed faculty, and
- in accordance with the Higher Education Act, disclose whether or not the program meets the educational requirements for licensure eligibility in each U.S. state
Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board Public Information Policy
LAAB accredited programs are required to provide reliable information to the public. This information is intended to help potential students make informed application decisions.
Mission
The program’s academic goals are specifically designed to support the attainment of the vision outlined in the mission statement and establish a framework within which the program can continue to develop and grow. First and foremost, we are focused on the development of highly prepared, well-rounded landscape architecture practitioners, in keeping with the highest ideals of contemporary practice. We strive to provide an honest, ethical and open environment within which faculty and students operate, multiplying opportunities for pushing the boundaries of the profession. Further, by engaging with the University, the community, the nation and the world, CSU stands to become a more vital partner in the future development of landscape architectural practice and research. Finally, by seeking excellence in our pursuits, the program positions itself on a constant trajectory of ever-higher standards of academic performance, which in turn attract the talented and dedicated faculty and students the program will rely on to achieve its mission.
Educational Goals
- Focus energies of the faculty and students toward academic and occupational proficiency.
- Develop rigorous ethical practices and behaviors for individual and collaborative activity.
- Embrace diverse perspectives in studio environments, courses, projects, and relationships.
- Promote faculty and student commitment to the program, university, community and profession.
- Encourage an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and mutual respect for divergent views and opinions, while embracing hands-on professional principles, skills, and knowledge.
- Embrace outreach through public landscape design and planning projects and service involvement in the community, state, and region.
Educational Objectives
- Educate students through exposure to global sustainability methods and engagement with the design and planning issues of Front Range urbanization and the Rocky Mountain and High Plains landscapes.
- Utilize standards of the contemporary profession benchmarks for success in studio.
- Focus on professional practice methods for landscape architectural research, analysis, and synthesis.
- Nurture effective skills for visual, verbal, and written communication.
- Incorporate information and methods for addressing social and environmental needs and responsibility.
- Foster interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration.
- Promote learning and career opportunities for private, public, and academic practice.
- Encourage mentorship of students by constituents in private and public practice through establishment of a liaison to career opportunities and internships at private firms and public agencies.
- Engage real-world design problems in the Rocky Mountains and High Plains region’s urban, suburban, rural, resort, and natural environments through communication with the region’s municipal governments, development agencies and private landowners.
- Educate students through exposure to global sustainability methods and engagement with the design and planning issues of Front Range urbanization and the Rocky Mountain and High Plains landscapes.
- Encourage students to submit projects for ASLA award recognition.
- Establish scholarships and awards to promote student competition and achievement.
- Through outreach to statewide school systems, encourage greater application and matriculation rates for minorities.
- Establish a scholarship program for talented prospective students of limited financial means to study landscape architecture at CSU.
- Create a learning environment that encourages open discussion, respects all people, and values the perspectives and contributions of everyone.
- Provide guidance to students as to intellectual property rights and citing of sources.
Accreditation
In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program and some type/length of apprenticeship as a prerequisite for licensure. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the sole agency authorized to accredit US professional degree programs in landscape architecture – The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture degree program at Colorado State University is fully accredited by the ASLA.
Required and Optional Materials and Equipment
The cost of books and materials varies by semester depending on course requirements, studio type, external course books and materials, etc. On average, students should plan for $150-$200 in additional cost each semester.
Number of Licensed Faculty
Two of the six current faculty members are licensed in landscape architecture.
Licensure Eligibility
Our program meets the educational requirements for licensure eligibility in each U.S. State.
Licensure Requirements
Landscape Architecture licensure requirements vary by state. Visit the ASLA website state licensure page read the ASLA fact sheet PDF to review licensure requirements by state.
Other Accredited Programs
Visit the American Society of Landscape Architects website to learn more.
Students
Student Retention
Student retention is a priority of the program. Experiential learning and team-teaching initiatives encourage students to become committed to their professional and social development through the curriculum sequence. Lower division courses introduce students to the profession (history, theory, representation, design process) allowing students to make informed decisions about their academic direction. Lower division studios typically have enrollment around 35 students.
Graduation Rates
Upper division coursework explores contemporary practice and expands knowledge, skills, and abilities for the profession. The program typically awards 20-24 degrees each academic year. Most students seek private or public office experience as they enter practice. Generally, each year, 2-3 recent graduates pursue advanced degrees in landscape architecture or a related discipline.
The four-year curriculum sequence builds on transferrable knowledge and skills and is structured to encourage each cohort to move forward as a studio group. Most students (75%+/-) complete the curriculum in 4 years (9 semesters, including a 4-week summer semester field experience).
Program Stats 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Retention through graduation rate 90% 90% 82% 61% 67% 89% est.
Degrees Granted per year 28 28 28 22 23 25 est.
Supplemental and Experiential Learning Opportunities
In 2017, the landscape architecture faculty and the program’s external advisory boards collaborated to conceive the Landscape Architecture Externship Program. The program was officially established in 2018 and has since become an annual offering available to all students, providing an immersive experience lasting two to five days at prominent landscape architecture and municipal offices. This unique opportunity allows students to engage firsthand with the daily operations of these organizations and begin building a solid network in the industry. Past participating offices include:
Landscape Architecture Offices: BHA Design, Civitas, Davis Partnership, Design Concepts, DHM Design, Didier Design Studio, Dig Studio, DTJ Design, Hord Coplan Macht, Logan Simpson, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Norris Design, Ripley Design, Russell + Mills, Clauson Rawley Associates, Stantec, Wenk Associates,
Municipal Offices: City of Fort Collins Planning, City of Fort Collins Park Planning and Development, Town of Severance Planning, City of Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority.
Award Opportunities
ASLA Honor and Merit Awards
Up to 6 awards
Certificates of Honor and Merit awarded to graduating landscape architecture students who have demonstrated outstanding potential for contributions to the profession.
Mark Allen Kauzlarich Memorial Award
Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated the greatest improvement in skills and capabilities.
Amy Rose Brobst Scholarship Award
Awarded to an outstanding returning student.
Gerald Paul Monger Senior Award
Awarded to a graduating student for highest academic achievement.
Outstanding Senior Award
Awarded to the most outstanding graduating students in each program in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department.
Russell L. Butler II Scholarship Award
Awarded to an outstanding returning student.
Landscape Architecture Exemplary Leadership Award
Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated extreme dedication and service to the program.