Become a Landscape Architect | Landscape Architect Degree

Become a Landscape Architect | Landscape Architect Degree
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• Nature of the Work - Often involved from the conception of a project, landscape architects work with a variety of organizations, from municipalities creating new parks, or constructing bridges and airports, to new projects created and managed through real estate development firms.
  
• Landscape Architect Degree - A BSLA (Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture), and a BLA (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture) are offered as undergraduate professional degrees. Typically, these degrees require four or five years of study. These studies include design, construction techniques, natural and social sciences, history and art. Two types of graduate degree programs are generally offered.
• Licensure and Certification for a Landscape Architect - At present, to satisfy registration, fifteen states have the requirement of successful completion of a state examination in addition to the L.A.R.E. Each state examination focuses on any characteristics unique to that particular state, the laws, climate, plants and soils, plus any specific environmental regulations.
  
  

Become a Landscape Architect | Landscape Architect Degree

Those individuals who have an interest in a landscape architecture career should possess strong analytical skills, enjoy working with their hands, in addition to having artistic talent and creative vision. A must have quality is excellent oral communication skills. Making presentations to large groups and the ability to convey your ideas and design plans to other professionals is essential. Knowledge of computer applications will be critical as the use of spreadsheets, word processing and desktop publishing will all be part of the required skill set.

The use of all of these tools will be required to prepare reports, proposals and presentations for superiors, colleagues and clients. A proficiency with CAD software is required for drafting and design. A number of employers suggest that at least one summer internship be completed with a landscape architectural firm. This internship is intended to gain a further understanding of the day to day operation including how to create within a budget, generate fees and how to secure clients.

Become a Landscape Architect | Landscape Architect Degree - Graduate - Job Outlook

Several years into a landscape architectural career, they may encounter the opportunity to become a project manager. This involves, in addition to overseeing the project, the budget and meeting schedules. After a period of time, they may have an option of becoming a partner or an associate, offering a proprietary interest in the firm.

In 2006, 28,000 positions were held by landscape architects. Over half were employed in engineering, architectural or related services. Employing approximately six percent were local and state governments. Twenty percent of landscape architects were self employed.

The majority of landscape architects are employed within suburban and urban areas nationwide, with some working within the rural areas, namely those employed by the Federal Government in positions to design and plan parks and recreational areas.

Become a Landscape Architect - Salary Statistics for Graduates

In May of 2006, the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) reported that the annual average earnings for landscape architects were $55,000, with the middle percent earning between $42,500 and $73,300, the lowest 10 percent earning less than $34,000 and the highest 10 percent earning over $95,000. More landscape architects were employed within the engineering and architectural industry than any other.

As time passes, there will be more demand within new construction, to meet the environmental regulations and zoning laws to harmonize with the natural environment. The conservation of water resources plus the management of storm water run-off will become increasingly more important to avoid pollution and depletion of our natural resources. Other environmentally sensitive areas of concern will be restoring and preserving wetlands.

Related Occupations: Knowledge of land-use planning, environmental issues, construction and design are required for landscape architects. Urban and regional planners, surveyors, photogrammetrists, cartographers, surveying technicians, civil engineers and architects (except naval), work with similar skills. Also working with environmental remediation, similar to landscape architects, are geoscientists and hydrologists.

Become a Landscape Architect | Landscape Architect Degree - Colleges - Universities

There are an excellent number of choices for education to become a Landscape Architect. Online colleges and universities now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. Included are our top recommendations for a Landscape Architect Degree.

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