Master’s in Landscape
Architecture Online

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-landscape-architecture-online/">Landscape Architecture</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Harvard University-Oncampus Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138	$50,928	97%
#2 University of Virginia-Oncampus 1827 University Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903	$19,244	94%
#3 Cornell University-Oncampus 300 Day Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853	$29,500	94%
#4 Boston Architectural College-Oncampus 320 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115	$25,220	68%
#5 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus-Oncampus 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, Oklahoma 73019	$8,034	76%
#6 University of Florida-Online 341 Tigert Hall 300 SW 13th St, Gainesville, Florida 32611	NA	72%
#7 Arizona State University Campus Immersion University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287	$11,720	66%
#8 Michigan State University Michigan State University	$19,714	82%
#9 New York University 70 Washington Sq South, New York, New York 10012	$35,982	87%
#10 University of Hawaii at Manoa 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822	$15,600	59%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

The master’s in landscape architecture online program is designed to provide historical, theoretical, foundational, skills-based, and technical grounding in landscape architecture. The core program introduces fundamental design methodologies and helps students develop their design processes and learn about different research methodologies. Usually, the program tries to accommodate students from various academic backgrounds, whether they have had previous training in landscape architecture or not. The student’s curriculum is tailored to their specific background and academic goals. The degree could range from 45 to 78 credits and take 2 to 3 years to complete. 

The program also includes a final study where students can apply design theories and create designs for theoretical or real projects. Most online landscape architecture degrees are accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)^[2], and students can pursue licensure to become licensed landscape architect professionals after completing the degree.  

The curriculum includes environmental design, construction, site grading, critical thinking, stormwater management, sustainable site planning, and more. The program is offered in online, offline, and hybrid delivery modes.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Programs

The curriculum of the master’s in landscape architecture online is comprehensive and rigorous and prepares students for professional activities in landscape architecture. It focuses on providing students with knowledge in history, theory, design, ecology, technology, professional practice, and representation. The curricula across programs have certain standard courses. Students must also fulfill the requirement of at least two additional electives like design and environmental systems, emerging dimensions in urban ecology and sustainable practices, theories and analyses of architecture, etc. 

The master’s in landscape architecture online programs focus on giving students a strong hand in the practical aspects of landscape architecture. Through their curriculum, students are exposed to different practitioners and work throughout the program to gain individual experience through direct engagement with professionals and theoretical series of seminars and lectures. The curriculum of the programs would differ depending on the type of degree; however, the coursework could include certain standard landscape architecture courses, including:

• Drawing as a Process
• Site Design Studio
• Historical Precedents of Landscape Architecture
• Ecological Foundations of Design
• Landscape Architecture Design Studio
• Digital Imaging
• Digital Graphics for Landscape Architecture
• Site Engineering
• Advanced Landscape Graphics
• Theories of Landscape Change 
• People and the Environment
• Site Inventory and Analysis
• Restoration Ecology
• Cultural Resource Preservation and Landscape History
• Designing Healthy Communities
• Critical Inquiry in Landscape Architecture
• Designing Public Spaces Studio
• Aesthetic Assessment of Landscapes
• Research Methods in Landscape Studies
• Wetlands Ecology
• Principles of Landscape Ecology

By completing the landscape architecture master’s program, students will get a dynamic and adaptive understanding of landscape architecture. After graduation, students will be able to demonstrate specific skills, including the ability to:

• demonstrate basic knowledge and expertise of the key systems, elements, and principles of designing, which will enhance two- and three-dimensional designing and planning;
• produce sustainable designs and plan proposals that will reflect the awareness of ecological and climatic factors and historical implications of a given site;
• creatively design solutions and research to analyze findings appropriate in the process of planning and designing;
• demonstrate professional skills to be able to evaluate key features and processes to use a site, like individual plant species, soil types, wildlife, climatic conditions, and so on, which would determine the constraints and opportunities that come with designing landscape architecture;
• apply the principles of sustainability while designing and planning drainage plans, outdoor spaces, and more;
• consolidate research ideas and present them convincingly and concisely during verbal or written presentations; and
• display professionalism in applying graphic media to communicate concepts and ideas that reflect the project proposals and design processes.

Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Degree Types

Three types of online landscape architecture master’s are available for prospective students across the United States. These include a Master of Arts or MA in landscape architecture online, a Master of Science or MS in landscape architecture online, and a Master of Landscape Architecture or MSLA degree. These programs may have some similarities across their curriculum.

Specializations in Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Programs

Taking up specializations at the graduate level will help students strengthen their skills. Specializing in master’s will also get students more industry benefits like higher salaries, career prospects, and better knowledge of the profession. A master’s in landscape architecture helps students prepare for that particular professional practice and take up more responsibilities designated by the role. There are many landscape architecture specializations, such as:

Area of Specialization	Technological Entrepreneurship
Description	Under this concentration, students learn to identify and use innovations to help society. Learning about digitization and automation processes, and other technological trends will impact the role aspiring students would have as architects.

Area of Specialization	Construction and Real Estate
Description	This concentration will help students learn more about construction, design, and study. They will understand how to develop new landscapes created to meet the requirements of a particular client. They learn about sustainable site development and managing construction sites.

Area of Specialization	Digital Drawing and Mapping
Description	This concentration helps students adjust to the digital requirements of today’s advancing technology. Students learn new design techniques and understand different elements that help students make more efficient and faster designs – more flexible than the traditional techniques of design making.

Area of Specialization	Human-Animal Interaction
Description	This specialization is one of the sought-after fields as it helps students understand new boundaries to negotiate scenarios between human and animal cohabitation. It is an interdisciplinary field where students must understand how to divide climatic zones, territories, inhabitable spaces, and different habitations.

Area of Specialization	Heritage Landscape
Description	Landscape heritage is one of the tasks landscape architects must undertake, so taking this specialization would benefit prospective students. Students will learn how to plan, restore, design, maintain and manage historical and cultural parks, sites, and landscapes.

Area of Specialization	Universal Design
Description	In this specialization, students understand how to design buildings, environments, or products to make them more open and accessible to different people, regardless of their disability, age, and more.

Accreditation for Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Programs

Accreditation is a unique process of evaluating colleges and programs nationwide to ensure they maintain appropriate educational quality. Non-governmental bodies execute this process, awarding the status based on peer evaluation. While deciding where to do a master’s degree, students must apply to accredited master’s in landscape architecture colleges to access various benefits. It is also advisable to check whether the institution they are applying to has been granted Regional or National Accreditation. Some of the independent bodies across the United States that award accreditation are:

• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Apart from regional accreditation, most colleges seek programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation and Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board for landscape architecture graduate degrees. 

Timeline for graduating from Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Programs

Most master’s in landscape architecture programs range from 45 to 78 credit hours and take 2 to 3 years to complete. It is noteworthy that factors like curriculum, thesis, coursework, concentration, final exam, program structure, synchronous or asynchronous learning, etc., will determine the exact time to complete the degree. Students can take up their master’s in landscape architecture in two modes:

Full-time: the full-time master’s is an intensive study mode that will take 2 to 3 years to complete.

Part-time: the part-time master’s is a more flexible study method and takes between 3 and 4 years to complete.

Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Programs Admission Requirements

While applying to an online landscape architecture master’s, students must determine the program-specific requirements. Universities across the United States mandate different requirements. Some of the common master’s in landscape architecture online admission requirements are:

• Bachelor’s degree
• CGPA- The Cumulative Grade Point Average or CGPA of 2.25 and above is required by most colleges
• GRE– Graduate Record Exam or GRE scores above 290 or more are required by some colleges (requirement might differ from college to college)
• Statement of Purpose – this is an essential document reviewed by the selection committee
• Résumé for Graduate School – this could include the most recent project or artwork designed by students (which could be an important criterion to show the uniqueness of candidature)
• GMAT– Graduate Management Admission Test scores are required by some colleges (a score of 500 or more is mandated, but might differ from college to college)

Some colleges offering landscape architecture master’s programs do not require a Graduate Record Exam or GRE score, while others make submission optional. Universities are increasingly removing the requirement for a GRE score, helping make the applicant pool more diverse. Some universities offering master’s in landscape architecture online no GRE are Ball State University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Accelerated master’s programs help students fast-track the timeline of completing their degrees. Students complete similar coursework as a regular master’s program, except they can complete the degree in 1.5 years or less, depending on the number of credits completed per semester. Taking up an accelerated master’s program is a cost-efficient option for students. It is a valuable option for individuals working full-time or part-time with other commitments. Some institutions offering accelerated master’s in landscape architecture online programs are The University of Arizona and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Ample master’s in landscape architecture online courses are available for students over the Internet. These free courses will help students understand the demands that the program requires of them and orient their mindset toward the field of landscape architecture. Here are a few free courses for master’s in landscape architecture students:

Course	Fundamentals of Landscape Architecture
Provided by	Alison
Description	This course helps students understand the requirements of landscape architecture. Students learn about sustainable architecture that involves creating tree planting and maintenance, designing a well-functioning garden, and developing detailed information on ecology related to different landscapes.

Course	The Architectural Imagination
Provided by	edX
Description	In this course, students are taught to express materials in aesthetic form. They understand how architecture is both a technical achievement and a cultural expression. The course will also introduce to students the idea of architectural imagination.

Course	Transportation, Sustainable Buildings, Green Construction
Provided by	Coursera
Description	Johns Hopkins University offers this course to understand the best practices in creating sustainable cities. Students investigate problems and work with current problems on parking management, healthy building, and energy-efficient building.

The cost of a master’s in landscape architecture degree online would differ from institution to institution. Factors like course materials, electives, travel, and tuition fees would determine the program’s total cost. The tuition fee for an online master’s in landscape architecture would be a minimum of $18,260 (approximate and unconfirmed), depending on the different demands of the institution. Some ways to fund one’s graduate studies in landscape architecture include:

Discover more ways to fund a master’s degree in the best financial aid guide.

Scholarships for Master’s in Landscape Architecture Online Students

Prospective graduate students can apply for different scholarships to fund their education. Such scholarships will help students fund their education and alleviate the financial pressure they could be under. Examples of some of the scholarships available for a master’s degree in landscape architecture are:

After completing a landscape architecture online master’s, students can work in varied settings related to landscape architecture. They can take up roles in related occupations of design, architecture, communications, etc. Graduates also have the option to work for non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and more. There are many roles where graduates can use their online master’s in landscape architecture degree. Some of the roles include but are not limited to:

• Landscape Architecture
• Landscape Designer 
• Designer
• Architect
• Landscape Scientist
• Architectural Designer
• Planner
• Junior Designer
• Residential Landscape Architect
• Environmental Designer
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD Designer)
• Landscape Planner
• Landscape Assessor

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the landscape architecture job outlook is stable at 0% with little or no change compared to the average for other professions. Here is a list of a few occupations in the field of landscape architecture, along with their median annual salaries and job outlook:

Occupation	Median Annual Salary	Job Growth (up to 2031)	Job Description
Landscape Architects	$73,210	1% (little or no change)	Landscape architects are oriented toward designing parks and other outdoor projects. They usually spend most of their time in office spaces where they create models, prepare designs, and meet with different clients.
Urban and Regional Planners	$79,540	4% (as fast as average)	Urban and regional planners usually develop land usage plans and programs to help create communities, accommodate the population’s growth, and revitalize physically oriented facilities.
Architects	$82,840	5% (faster than average)	Architects spend their time planning and designing factories, office buildings, and other important structures. They also develop plans, consult with engineers, and meet with clients to work on various projects. Architects are required to prepare the initial drawing and review the progress of the construction projects.
Industrial Designers	$75,910	2% (as fast as average)	Industrial designers combine business, art, and engineering projects to be able to develop concepts for the products that will be manufactured. They test facilities, inspect homes or workplaces, and places where the product will be manufactured as well.

A professional certification adds to one’s credibility and the landscape architecture master’s degree. Certifications assure employers that individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to execute projects effectively and efficiently. To become a certified landscape architect, students must pass an exam and renew the certification once every year. 

Certified Landscape Architecture – The Certified Landscape Architecture credential is one of the most common certifications amongst landscape architects. It is awarded by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards or CLARB. This advanced certification will help individuals showcase their professionalism in this field. Having this certification can help professionals get designations like senior landscape architects. 

Association of Professional Landscape Designers Certification – This certification can be an advantage when gaining employment as a landscape designer; it demonstrates to employers that the candidate can be trusted to provide a quality measure of work.

Licensure is a legal and formal method of recognizing that an individual has the skills, abilities, and knowledge to practice landscape architecture without endangering the public’s safety, wealth, and health. Students must also meet the jurisdiction’s requirements in examination, experience, and education to provide landscape architecture services or use “landscape architect” as a title. CLARB facilitates this process of licensure. Students pursuing an online master’s in landscape architecture program can also read more about License Certification for Landscape Architecture mandates mentioned by the New York State Education Department office.

Prospective students taking up master’s in landscape architecture online programs can benefit by joining professional organizations apart from engaging in college-related events and organizations. Such organizations will provide a professional bend of mind to individuals wanting to better understand the landscape architecture world. Here are some to consider: 

American Society of Landscape Architects

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a professional organization for landscape architects in the United States. The organization represents more than 15,000 members across the country and worldwide. ASLA focuses on planning, designing, and stewardship of equitable, safe, resilient, and healthy environments. 

Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board

The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board (CLARB) works towards protecting public safety, health, and welfare by establishing and promoting professional licensure standards. They help landscape architects document and verify their experiences and provide examinations, education, and licensure. 

Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture

The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA)’s mission is to support, encourage, and further education in landscape architecture related to teaching and public services. The organization focuses on research opportunities and scholarships for individuals in various areas within landscape architecture. 

Landscape Architecture Foundation

The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) plays a crucial role in solving the issues that have recently affected us, like species extinction, climate change, inequity, and rapid urbanization. 

Environmental Design Research Association

The Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) is an interdisciplinary organization founded by design professionals, students, educators, social scientists, and facility managers. EDRA aims at social awareness and works with the social responsibility agenda of developing healthier, more democratic human environments.