certificate

Landscape Architecture

Whether you want to design a national park, or a modest, water-efficient backyard, landscape architecture can give you the skills and abilities to change the places you live, work, and play for the better. The profession of landscape architecture is a multidisciplinary field that weaves together design, environmental systems, sustainability, construction knowledge—as well as land and water conservation—to influence place making, and to create designed outdoor living spaces.

This program is perfect for...

  • Starting on the path to becoming a licensed landscape architect
  • Individuals who are passionate about designing for the natural environment
  • Those who dream of creating parks, trails, theme parks, and urban landscapes
  • Individuals looking for a career working communities through engagement and facilitation

What you can learn.

  • Master the fundamentals and principles of design through modeling and drawing
  • Design processes and drawing techniques to create landscapes
  • How to artfully combine science and natural processes into your landscape designs
  • How to analyze problems in terms of design and physical form
  • Various dimensions of professional practice, including management and professional ethics
  • The history and practice of garden and landscape design

Over 40 years of excellence.

landscape design sketch with colored pencils

Established in 1977, UCLA Extension’s Landscape Architecture Certificate program is designed for working professionals who already have at least a bachelor’s degree. It is a rigorous, 3-year program that prepares students to enter the field of landscape architecture upon completion of the curriculum. 

The Landscape Architecture Certificate program is designed to give students a strong foundation in the design, technical, and theoretical aspects of the discipline. The curriculum is structured as a sequence of design, technical, and breadth courses. The goal of the program is to integrate these three areas into a single body of knowledge so that each segment is understood in the context of its relevance to the others. 

Benefits of the program include:

  • Program sequence can be completed in just three years
  • Night and weekend courses cater to working adults
  • Instructors are practicing professionals
  • Projects based on real-world sites, solutions, and clients
  • Federal financial aid available*
  • Courses are offered in Westwood and downtown Los Angeles

UCLA Extension's Landscape Architecture program is an approved university extension certificate program by the California Architects Board Landscape Architects Technical Committee, meeting the educational requirements required by the State of California to sit for the state licensing exam.**

Curriculum

Consisting of 111 total (quarter) units, the curriculum includes 105 units of required core courses and a minimum of 6 units of elective coursework. Approved elective courses cover special interest areas, and may be taken when convenient before the Capstone course.

The curriculum is structured as a series of design, technical, and theoretical courses beginning in the Summer and Fall quarters and taking three years to complete.

After a formal portfolio review at the end of the first year, students take a series of landscape design studios that introduce increasingly complex issues and methodologies. After a second portfolio review, students produce a capstone project that reflects the values, skills, and knowledge acquired over the course of study.

Please note that all courses must be taken for letter grade to count towards the certificate. A grade of “C+” is required to successfully complete a course, and students must maintain an average of “B” to receive the certificate.
 
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Change the way people see the world.

Expect more from your education.

Learn from Industry Leaders

UCLA Extension Distinguished Instructor award recipient with over 40 years of Landscape Architecture experience.

Jim Smith

Since 1983, the Landscape Architecture program at UCLA Extension has been committed to helping candidates become licensed landscape architects. 

This program teaches students how to move through the entire design process from concept to construction documents. The emphasis on practical applications, over the theoretical, prepares students to immediately and confidently enter the profession of landscape architecture.

Amy Hite
Landscape Architecture Certificate Graduate

Annual Student Show

a drawing of a landscape, with a replica on top

The show features projects from first, second and third year students as well as Capstone projects from the Summer graduating class. All projects are reviewed by a group of distinguished jurors including local landscape architects, designers and regional planners.

If you are interested in becoming a landscape architect or landscape designer, the student show can provide you with visual examples of the work product produced throughout the Landscape Architecture program.

To view the full online digital shows, select a link below.

44rd Annual Student Show - 2022 Digital Exhibition

43rd Annual Student Show - 2021 Digital Exhibition

42nd Annual Student Show - 2020 Digital Exhibition

 

What our certificates have done for our students.

85%

feel a certificate helped them enhance their careers

1 in 4

received a salary increase after starting a certificate program

50%

switched careers after completing a certificate program

85%

recommend a certificate program to others

Source: UCLA Extension Certificate Graduates Survey

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required Courses
ARCH X 472
Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
ARCH X 472.4D
Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
ARCH X 472.4F
Typically Offered: Winter, Spring
ARCH X 471.1A
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter
ARCH X 471.1B
Typically Offered: Winter, Spring
ARCH X 471.2
Typically Offered: Spring, Summer
ARCH X 472.6A
Typically Offered: Summer
ARCH X 472.9
Typically Offered: Winter
ARCH X 472.5
Typically Offered: Spring
ARCH X 472.19
Typically Offered: Summer
ARCH X 472.12A
Typically Offered: Fall
ARCH X 472.8A
Typically Offered: Fall
ARCH X 472.8B
Typically Offered: Winter
ARCH X 493.992
Typically Offered: Spring, Summer
ARCH X 493.6
Typically Offered: Spring
ARCH X 472.12B
Typically Offered: Summer
ARCH X 472.14A
Typically Offered: Fall
ARCH X 472.14B
Typically Offered: Fall
ARCH X 472.14C
Typically Offered: Winter
ARCH X 472.23
Typically Offered: Winter
ARCH X 493.9
Typically Offered: Fall
ARCH X 472.8
Typically Offered: Spring
ARCH X 472.15C
Typically Offered: Spring
ARCH X 472.15D
Typically Offered: Summer
see all courses
Electives
Students must complete 6 units of elective coursework. 
ARCH X 493.33
Typically Offered: Fall
ARCH X 493.773
Typically Offered: Winter, Spring
ARCH X 493.774
Typically Offered: Spring
ARCH X 493.883
ARCH X 494.65
Typically Offered: Spring
ARCH X 496.2
Typically Offered: Summer
BIOLGY X 494
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
BIOLGY X 496.2
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
BIOLGY X 493.2
Typically Offered: Winter, Spring
BIOLGY X 499.22
Typically Offered: Spring
BIOLGY X 499.3A
Typically Offered: Fall
see all courses

New students will begin this program in either Summer or Fall quarter. A Bachelor's Degree is required for application.

 

This program is a total of 111 quarter units. Estimated tuition per credit hour is $249.59.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

300.00

Estimated Program Tuition

27705.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

5500.00

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Contact Us

Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.

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