Landscape Architects: Kings and Queens of the Playground and More

Architectural landscaping is used in local parks, playgrounds, residential areas, shopping centers, college campuses, and other public and private areas.
Landscape architects work closely with groups such as city planners, real estate development firms, government agencies, surveyors, and engineers. In concert with these individuals, landscape architects plan and design the layout and placement of roads, walkways, shrubbery, trees, buildings, and flowers. They are also responsible for adding decorative features such as fountains, lighting, and other aesthetic elements.
Online architecture landscape degree programs offer bachelor's or master's degrees for those whose schedules require that they take classes online.

Architecture Landscape Online Degrees and Coursework

If you are considering a career as a landscape architect, the job prerequisite is usually a bachelor's degree. You can choose from two types of undergraduate degrees--a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA).
You can expect typical coursework to cover subjects such as:

• Landscape graphics
• Gardens, parks, and urban open spaces
• Principles of planning and design
• Computer assisted design methods and uses
• Construction technology
• Environmental design and analysis
• Planting design and applications

Forty-nine states require landscape architects to be licensed. Each state varies in its licensing requirements so a thorough check for your state's requirements is prudent.

Projection for Landscape Architecture Jobs

Jobs in landscape architecture are expected to increase 16 percent in the next eight years. The number of available jobs will vary due to economic conditions, different regions of the country, and intense competition for open positions. Those who are well prepared in using computer assisted design (CAD) software and possess strong communication skills have the best opportunities for jobs. In 2007, the median annual earnings for a landscape architect were $57,580.
Source:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Landscape Architects

Frank Ling is Editor of Gamernode.com. He has also worked as a photographer and video editor at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as a reporter and photographer for local community newspapers, as a quality assurance trainer for Electronic Arts, and has written for various websites.