Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)

FAST FACTS ›

  • You will have many opportunities to work with classmates in allied fields such as architecture, city and regional planning, real estate development and historic preservation.
  • Lee Hall, home of the landscape architecture program, has just undergone a major restoration, renovation and expansion, featuring a highly sustainable new building with an extensive green roof.
  • You will have opportunities to study and work alongside students and faculty from various parts of the country and the world on a scenic university campus located in the beautiful Piedmont eco-region.
  • Our internationally renowned faculty members have expertise in professional practice, health and design, ecology, historic preservation, computer applications, urban design, international study and community revitalization.
ABOUT.

Landscape architecture involves planning, designing and shaping the physical environment at all scales — from small sites to entire regions. Although the profession is little more than 150 years old, it has quickly evolved into a position of great importance in today’s rapidly changing world. Landscape architects are solving some of the world’s most pressing problems about how we live in relationship to our environment. They work in densely populated urban areas, wilderness landscapes and everything in between. They are creative problem-solvers, keenly interested in people and how they relate to their surroundings. As a landscape architecture major you’ll learn how to develop and manage projects such as ecological restoration; public plazas; streetscapes; design of “urban villages,” parks and park systems; college campuses; golf courses; resorts; industrial and office parks; and waterfronts. 

CLASSES.

What you'll study:

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is a five-year, nationally accredited professional degree program. The program is generalist, meaning it covers the major areas of practice and building from design basics to sophisticated studio experience, such as large-scale landscape planning; parks, recreation and open space planning; and regional, urban and community design. Clemson’s program is noted for its special emphasis on the art of design. For that reason, the landscape architecture design studio experience is at the center of the program — 42 hours of studio are required. Studio experience is supported by other courses inside and outside the landscape architecture curriculum that provide grounding in landscape history and social, cultural, environmental and aesthetic theories.

Students may also choose to focus elective credits on one of three emphasis areas:

  • Cultural issues
  • Environmental issues
  • Professional development

The program's location in Lee Hall gives students the important opportunity to interact with faculty and other students in the allied areas of city and regional planning, real estate development, architecture, and construction science and management.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

Landscape architecture majors have the opportunity to work beyond the classroom and engage in building, designing and planning. Our resources provide you with the opportunities to expand your knowledge through hands-on experience.

Internships and Research Projects:

VIDEO (▶):
Listen as students in landscape architecture describe their Clemson experience.
RELOCATE:
Off-campus, parallel and exchange programs offer outstanding learning experiences in Charleston; Barcelona, Spain; Genoa, Italy; and various points in Egypt. A semester of study abroad is required for the degree.
OUTREACH:
Work closely with research faculty as you engage in service learning projects in our a.LINE.ments program. Recent projects include a redesign exercise for Hilton Head Island, a mill village revitalization project and a neighborhood park design.
MATERIALS LAB:
Our fully equipped materials lab enables students to manipulate wood and various other materials. Students are encouraged to use the lab for academic assignments and other projects.
GIS:
Our Geographic Information Systems labs were created for classwork and research projects in the design, development and analysis of spatial databases. Students enjoy low faculty-to-student ratios and 24-hour access to a workstation.
STUDY:
The Gunnin Architecture Library has more than 46,000 volumes of books and periodicals and 183 periodical subscriptions related to visual arts, design and building. Audiovisual equipment and architectural drafting aids are also available for use.

Connect with Other Students:

CAREERS.

What are students doing at graduation?*

49%

Employed

25%

Grad School

26%

Seeking Employment

0%

Other

Where are students headed at graduation?*

Recent employers and job titles*

  • Peter Walker & Associates — Landscape Architect
  • EDSA Planning and Landscape Architecture — Landscape Architect
  • Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission — Park Planner

Recent graduate schools and sought degree types*

  • LUND University, Sweden — Master of Sustainable Urban Design
  • Johns Hopkins University — Master of Science in Real Estate
  • Harvard University — Master of Urban Design

Common Career Areas**

  • Private Sector
    • Private Practice
    • Small Landscape Architecture Practice
    • Large Interdisciplinary Firms
    • Real Estate Developer
  • Government
    • National Park Service
    • U.S. Forest Service
    • Department of Natural Resources
    • Local and State Planning Offices
  • Institutional
    • Institutional Landscapes
    • Campus Planning
  • Management
    • Landscape Design
    • Community Design
    • Project Management
    • Urban Planning
    • Conservation
    • Historic Preservation
    • Ecological Restoration
    • Real Estate Development
    • Research
    • Memorial/Cemetery Design
    • Industrial Site Reclamation
    • Golf Courses
    • Wilderness Areas/Trails
    • Residential Landscapes
    • Gardens
  • Key link - Career Discovery
*Numbers based on the 2012 ASLA Survey of graduating students and interviews with LA graduates.
**Used w/permission from Univ. of Tennessee.
FIND OUT MORE.

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact as well as our admissions office.

Matt Powers, Program Director
864-656-4408 — powers8@clemson.edu