Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture is a dynamic, broad-spectrum profession that incorporates many disciplines. Geology, ecology and horticulture, architecture and engineering, geography, the social sciences and the fine arts are a few of the contributors to these architects of the land. The function and aesthetics of parks, housing developments, transportation corridors, urban plazas, zoos and campuses all reflect the acquired skill of landscape architects using both hard (built) and 'soft (planted) materials to both sustain and manipulate the natural environment. Landscape architects design exterior spaces with sketches, detail models, and working drawings for their clients as well as the companies and contractors that will use these specifications to bring life to the practitioner's vision. The unique challenges for landscape architects span everything from small residential landscapes and large-scale urban developments to regional watersheds. Collaborating with architects, planners and engineers, landscape architects create compelling and memorable exterior spaces that affect the lives of people who inhabit them.

The landscape architecture program offers an accredited professional five-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.) degree. As one of the approximately 60 professional programs in landscape architecture in the United States and Canada that are accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, North Dakota State University landscape architecture is the only program in the region. In the first year of study, the pre-landscape architecture curriculum addresses the understanding of the environment and our impact on nature. In addition to meeting General Education and departmental requirements, students take three environmental design courses (ENVD) comprised of a lecture course, a drawing course and a design fundamentals course. Beginning at the sophomore level, through a selective admissions process, students become landscape architecture majors. Studio courses are limited to a maximum of 16 students to maintain a high level of student-faculty contact. The landscape architecture program is based on a studio model of education providing high contact hours between students and their professors as they learn problem solving techniques and design methodologies. The primary focus is on design thinking, students engaging in individual and group projects that represent a wide array of design challenges. In this studio format, students have opportunities for public service projects requiring real world solutions benefiting both the students and the ethical requirements of outreach within the profession. Other courses in the curriculum include the history of landscape architecture, grading and drainage, materials and methods, and professional ethics and practices. The program emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, the communication of ideas through writing, public presentation of models, drawings, renderings and computer animation. Field trips, a lecture series, invited outside professionals and a laptop computer requirement in the second year help students develop their own interests and craft their own unique career path.

A secondary or high school grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) or the equivalent in core subjects is recommended.
Your international high school academic records.
All first-year applicants must upload unofficial academic documents to the online application.
NDSU is test-optional and does not require ACT/SAT test scores for admission. NDSU will rely on the high school grade point average (GPA) and core coursework to make admission decisions.
TOEFL - 71 IBT
IELTS - 6.0 Overall
Duolingo English Test - 105