Landscape Architecture - Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture

Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture
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Photo by Sarah Little

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Undergraduate Students: Gibbs College now offers an accelerated program in Environmental Design (BSED, undergraduate degree) and Landscape Architecture (MLA, graduate degree). With this program, students can earn two degrees that would normally take 7 years to complete in just 6 years. Learn more here.

International Students: The Master of Landscape Architecture (M620) degree qualifies students on an F-1 visa to work in the U.S. for up to three years following graduation. Learn more here.

What is Landscape Architecture?

Landscape architects create outdoor spaces like parks and city squares that provide everyone the opportunity to connect and interact with their community. We work to ameliorate the negative effects of climate change while listening to the needs of community members and ensure that every voice is heard. We use our expertise to design public spaces that are accessible to people of all ages, incomes, and abilities. When landscape architects are involved in the creation of public spaces, we help bring communities together.

Why MLA @ OU?

Studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Oklahoma affords the opportunity to work with accomplished PEOPLE, participate in service-learning PROJECTS, and visit award winning PLACES 

Faculty encourage students to think critically and creatively in addressing issues related to climate change and human use of the environment. Through multi-disciplinary service-learning opportunities, we train students to listen to the needs of community members and ensure that every voice is heard. We seek to imbue our students with strong design development and communication skills within the framework of climate change adaptation, resilience, and community engagement.

  • Alumni have an over 95% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation.
  • The median starting annual salary for a landscape architect is $67,950 (Occupational Outlook Handbook).
  • A required internship gives students, particularly international students, an opportunity to work in a variety of office environments during summers.
  • STEM designation allows international students on F-1 visas 3 years of optional practical training (OPT) instead of one year which is customary for non-STEM fields.

 

PEOPLE

Faculty & Staff

Sarah Little

Program Contact | Associate Professor
sarah.little@ou.edu

Abdulmueen Bogis

Teaching Fellow
bogis@ou.edu

Wenwen Cheng

Assistant Professor
wcheng@ou.edu

Affiliate Faculty

Bret Betnar

Affiliate Faculty | Lecturer
bbetnar@ou.edu

Hans ButzerHans E. Butzer

Affiliate Faculty | Professor
butzer@ou.edu

Marjorie CallahanMarjorie Callahan

Affiliate Faculty | Professor
mcallahan@ou.edu

Bryce LoweryBryce Lowery

Affiliate Faculty | Associate Professor
bryce.c.lowery@ou.edu

Alumni & Student Voices

Browse Our Programs

All 50 states in the U.S. issue licensure for landscape architects. While each state has its own requirements for licensure, all require candidates to pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). Most states require candidates to graduate from a Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) program and practice under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect. Learn more about LAAB’s accreditation standards here.

Accelerated Bachelor’s + Master's | 3 + 3 BSED / MLA

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (BSED) + Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) | Accelerated degree (LAAB accredited)
Typically, a bachelor’s degree and a First Professional Degree Master of Landscape Architecture (LAAB accredited) takes seven years to complete. With the accelerated BSED + MLA degree, exemplary students can get a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a Master of Landscape Architecture in only 6 years.
156 credit hours  3 + 3 curriculum  |  Download Checksheet

Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) | First Professional Degree (LAAB accredited) (M620) 
The First Professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree is for students who do not have a previous professional degree in landscape architecture and who may come from fields as diverse as English literature, drama, wildlife management, or nursing. 
62 credit hours MLA curriculum  |  Download Checksheet 

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) | First Professional Degree; Advanced Standing (LAAB accredited) (M620) 
The First Professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree, Advanced Standing is for students with prior degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, or related design programs that are not LAAB accredited who may place out of required courses. Equivalent coursework will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) | Post-Professional Degree (non-accredited) (M621)
The Post-Professional Master of Landscape Architecture is only for students who have completed an accredited professional degree in landscape architecture and desire a design or research focus in a specialized area.  
47 credit hours  |  curriculum  Download Checksheet

 Master of Landscape Architectural Studies (MLAS) | (non-accredited) (M622) 
This two-year degree is open to students from all over the world with undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture or related areas. The two-year degree has a focused curriculum that allows allow for flexibility with courses. Additionally, a required internship is part of the curriculum which allows students (especially international students) to work off-campus during the time between semesters. While the two-year degree does not allow students to pursue landscape architectural licensure in the United States, it does allow students to earn a graduate degree that is focused on the ability to think critically and creatively when addressing environmental issues throughout the world. 
47 credit hours  |  MLAS curriculum Download Checksheet

PhD In Planning, Design, and Construction

Learn more about the Gibbs College of Architecture's PhD program here!

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