What degree do you need to be a landscape architect?

Landscape architect students take courses such as landscape ecology, site design, and landscape design and construction. Other coursework may include professional practice, history of landscare architecture, and plant and soil science. Students are often assigned projects that offer hands-on experience with:

• Model building

• Computer design software

• Other landscaping design software

This degree typically takes 4 to 5 years to complete. Internship experience is typically required before you can obtain a license in landscape architecture. You can complete an internship during your educational studies or you can wait until your education is complete and pursue a job as a trainee or intern landscape architect.

During your internship, you will work under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect and learn to improve your technical skills. You will gain an understanding of the day-to-day operations in landscape architecture, including working with a budget, recruiting clients, and charging necessary fees.

Each landscape architect intern may learn different tasks depending on the size and type of the firm.

Most states require landscape architects to be licensed. Prospective landscape architects must pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), which is administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.

Individuals who wish to take the exam are required to have a degree from an accredited program and internship experience working under a licensed landscape architect. Some landscape architects may want to consider obtaining a master's degree in landscape architecture to further your knowledge and understanding.

A master's degree program will be more focused on areas such as:

• Landscape design

• Landscape theory

• Landscape history

While a master's degree is not required, it may boost your employability and increase your earning potential. A master's degree program takes approximately 2 years. Students who enter this program may choose an area of concentration like heritage conservation or site planning.