Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Temple University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture at Temple University is a four-year, 124-credit professional program that combines art, ecology, horticulture, engineering, and design to prepare students to create sustainable landscapes that support both communities and natural systems. It suits students interested in environmental design and practical problem-solving, with learning focused on sustainable design studios, landscape engineering, planting, digital processes, construction technology, landscape history, and professional practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their design and visual communication foundation through LARC 1044 Landscape Architecture Foundation I, where they explore form, space, drawing, plans, sections, renderings, and models, followed by LARC 1144 Landscape Architecture Foundation II, which develops 2D/3D design and introduces basic digital media applications. They also begin understanding the profession through LARC 1111 Introduction to Green Careers in Landscape Architecture and develop plant and environmental knowledge through courses such as BOT 1111 General Botany and BOT 1112 Plant Ecology.

Year 2: Students move into dedicated design studios with LARC 2143 Landscape Architecture Design Studio I and LARC 2144 Landscape Architecture Design Studio II, while LARC 2241 Landscape Engineering I introduces grading, landform manipulation, and the functional and ecological dimensions of landscape engineering. LARC 1544 Landscape Architecture Computer Technology I and LARC 2551 Landscape Architecture Computer Technology II strengthen their digital design capabilities, complemented by LARC 2496 Landscape Traditions and horticulture courses such as HORT 1211 Woody Plants I and HORT 1212 Woody Plants II.

Year 3: The program emphasizes collaborative and applied design through LARC 3145 Landscape Architecture Design Studio III, which examines parks and open spaces and can involve community groups and elected officials. Students then progress to LARC 3146 Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV: Design/Build, gaining direct experience connecting design concepts with physical implementation, alongside LARC 2243 Landscape Engineering II, which covers hardscape, advanced landform design, and stormwater management.

Year 4: Students undertake advanced professional work through LARC 4147 Landscape Architecture Design Studio V: Fall Senior Studio, addressing large-scale planning, growth management, existing-condition analysis, programming, master plans, and detailed designs. The program concludes with LARC 4198 Landscape Architecture Design Studio VI: Spring Senior Studio, which may incorporate landscape design, fine arts, urban design, and town planning, alongside LARC 3644 Professional Practice and LARC 3345 Planting Design.

Focus Areas

Sustainable landscape design, ecology, horticulture, planting design, landscape engineering, site planning, construction technology, digital design, landscape history and theory, ecological restoration, urban design, community-based design, professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop skills in landscape design, drawing, drafting, model-making, digital processes, site analysis, ecological design, grading, stormwater management, planting, construction, research, professional practice, and collaborative problem-solving.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

LAAB accreditation: Temple’s Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture is professionally accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) and has been continually accredited since 1991; Temple states that the program prepares graduates to pursue landscape architecture licensure and sit for the Landscape Architectural Registration Examination (LARE), subject to individual state requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Official ranking: Temple’s official Tyler School of Art and Architecture page identifies Tyler as part of Temple University, which was ranked #72 among Best Value Schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report in 2025; Temple does not state a current program-specific employability ranking for the BS in Landscape Architecture on its official program pages.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture at Temple University combines studio-based design with direct engagement in plants, ecosystems, materials, and real landscapes. Students gain practical experience at the Ambler Campus, where the program uses a 187-acre arboretum, greenhouse, field station, design studios, CAD labs, technology center, and Design-Build Studio as learning environments; students also have access to digital tools and industry-standard software. The program also connects students with Philadelphia-area professionals, community partners, internships, and field-based opportunities, giving them several ways to apply studio learning beyond the classroom:

Design-Build Studio: Students gain hands-on experience designing and constructing projects, including exhibits for the Philadelphia Flower Show and built landscape elements at Temple’s Ambler Campus.
Digital Design: Landscape Architecture students begin working digitally in their freshman representation courses and use laser cutters, 3D printers, digital fabrication machines, CAD labs, and digital design studios.
Software: The program provides access to industry-standard tools including AutoCAD and ArcView GIS, alongside Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft 365.
Living Laboratory: The 187-acre Ambler Arboretum and research field station gives students a real landscape environment for studying plants, ecological systems, site conditions, and landscape design.
Greenhouse Research: The 6,600-square-foot sustainably managed greenhouse supports hands-on learning and research connected to landscape architecture and horticulture.
Aquaponics & Technology: Students have access to an aquaponics lab and technology center, expanding practical investigation into environmental and sustainable systems.
Field Research: Temple's Ambler Field Station and Arboretum are used by faculty and students for coursework and research, creating opportunities to investigate real environmental and landscape conditions.
Internships: Tyler encourages summer and semester-long internships, supported by faculty, alumni, professionals, and community relationships with landscape architecture firms, greenhouses, plant producers, and public-park agencies.
Professional Exposure: Students can connect with design firms and organizations through internships, professional networks, workshops, and Tyler's career activities, including the Architecture and Environmental Design Career Fair.
Research Opportunities: Undergraduate students can pursue mentored research through the Diamond Research Scholars Program, while Tyler's landscape architecture students can engage in collaborative opportunities across architecture, environmental design, planning, and related fields.
Community Projects: Temple's connections across Philadelphia provide opportunities for hands-on, collaborative work with professionals and organizations, extending landscape architecture learning into real community settings.
Plant Resources: The Ambler Arboretum's permanent plant collection, gardens, and searchable database give students a dedicated resource for understanding and identifying landscape plant material.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture prepares graduates for professional work designing and managing landscapes in public and private settings, with the curriculum combining design, ecology, horticulture, construction, and sustainable land-use planning. The program’s professional accreditation and required internship experience provide a direct foundation for pursuing landscape architecture licensure, while Temple’s Philadelphia-area professional network creates opportunities for internships, mentorship, and employment.

Typical career roles include Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer, Sustainability Specialist, Urban Planner:

Career services: Tyler career coaches provide discipline-specific guidance on résumés, cover letters, interviews, internships, and career planning, while Temple’s Career Center provides job and internship resources through Handshake, career coaching, fairs, and workshops.
Internship experience: The required LARC 2885 Internship involves at least one semester or 350 hours of employment with a landscape architecture firm, landscape contractor, or related organization, allowing students to apply classroom concepts to professional work.
Professional network: Tyler maintains relationships with landscape architecture firms, local greenhouses and plant producers, and agencies responsible for public parks and gardens, with these connections supporting internship and job opportunities.
Career fairs: Tyler hosts an annual Architecture and Environmental Design Career Fair, connecting students with internship and full-time opportunities across landscape architecture, planning, architecture, construction, government agencies, and related fields.
Employment examples: Temple highlights alumni connections with leading firms, agencies, and organizations; one documented BS Landscape Architecture graduate completed internships with Olin and Sikora Wells Appel while at Temple.
Employment statistics and salary: Temple’s official BS Landscape Architecture pages do not state a program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure, so no university-specific salary statistic is provided here.
Accreditation value: The BS in Landscape Architecture has been continuously accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) since 1991. Temple states that the accredited degree prepares students to sit for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE); licensure requirements remain state-specific.
Professional preparation: The program’s LAAB accreditation and professional curriculum provide the educational foundation required for the landscape architecture profession, while students still need to satisfy the applicable practice and examination requirements for licensure.
Graduation outcomes: Temple identifies opportunities across public and private-sector landscape architecture, including design and management positions, while its broader Tyler network connects graduates with firms, agencies, organizations, and professional opportunities.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into Temple’s Master of Landscape Architecture (MLArch), which is also LAAB-accredited. Temple specifically identifies the BS-to-MLArch pathway and offers graduate study emphasizing ecological landscape restoration, with the MLArch providing further preparation for advanced professional practice and licensure.