Landscape Architect Articles

Top Landscape Architecture Programs, Plus Skills Assessments12-13-10 | News

Top Landscape Architecture Programs, Plus Skills Assessments

According to DesignIntelligence, the Louisiana State University Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture is the top undergraduate landscape architecture program for 2011.
Photo: LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture

Well, it's that time of year. DesignIntelligence just released its 2011 America's Best Architecture & Design Schools publication. DesignIntelligence is published by Greenway Communications for the Design Futures Council, an interdisciplinary network of design, product and construction leaders committed to advancing the AEC industry by providing information about trends and issues. This volume marks the 12th annual rankings of schools of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and industrial design.

The Top Undergraduate Schools

1. Louisiana State University
2. Texas A&M University
3. Purdue University
3. University of Georgia
3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.
6. Ball State University
6. Pennsylvania State University
8. Calif. Polytechnic State Univ., San Luis Obispo
8. Cornell University
8. Iowa State University
8. Kansas State University
8. University of California at Davis

The Top Graduate Schools

1. Harvard University
2. Louisiana State University

3. Texas A&M University
4. Cornell University
4. University of Pennsylvania
4. University of Virginia
4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.
8. Kansas State University
8. Rhode Island School of Design
8. University of California at Berkeley

Harvard Graduate School of Landscape Architecture has been the top ranked program since 2005.

The Harvard Graduate School of Landscape Architecture has been the top ranked program since 2005, according to DesignIntelligence. It is the oldest, most distinguished academic program in landscape architecture in the world. Photo: Harvard University Graduate School of Design's Piper Auditorium.

Landscape Architecture Skills Assessment

These rankings, based on the hiring experience of firms surveyed, assessed the preparedness of recent graduates in a range of vital skills. Survey participants were asked which collegiate landscape architecture programs (undergraduate or graduate) are strongest in each skills category.

Communication

1. Texas A&M University
2. Harvard University
2. Louisiana State University
4. University of Georgia
4. University of Pennsylvania
4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer Applications

1. Texas A&M University
1. University of Pennsylvania
3. Kansas State University
3. Louisiana State University
3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Design

1. Louisiana State University
2. Harvard University
3. Texas A&M University
4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
5. Kansas State University
5. University of Georgia

Sustainable design Practices and Principles

1. Louisiana State University
2. California Polytechnic State Univ., San Luis Obispo
2. Texas A&M University
4. University of California at Berkeley
4. University of Georgia

Practitioners who are satisfied or very satisfied with recent landscape architecture graduates: 78 percent.