Landscape Architecture, BLA

for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture


The department's administrative office, upper-level studios, faculty offices, and classrooms are located in Temple Hoyne Buell Hall. The department also has a studio is located in Mumford Hall.

for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 124 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the unit.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by LA 314
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
fulfilled by LA 314 and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
fulfilled by any Life Science; and any Physical Science
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
fulfilled by LA 314
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
fulfilled by STAT 100 or MATH 115 or MATH 220 or MATH 221 or MATH 234; and any other course approved as Quantitative Reasoning I or II
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

 Landscape Architecture Curriculum

College Orientation1
Arts at Illinois
Math, pick one from the following list3 min
Statistics
Preparation for Calculus
Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus for Business I
or any other QR1 with approval of advisor
Physical Science3
Any Natural Science & Technology: Physical Sciences general education course
Life Science3
Any Natural Science & Technology: Life Sciences general education course
Construction, Plant Materials & Design, History, & Design Communications29
LA 101Introduction to Landscape Arch2
LA 241Landform Design & Construction3
LA 250Environmental Site Analysis3
LA 280Design Communications I3
LA 281Design Communications II3
LA 314History of World Landscapes4
LA 342Site Engineering4
LA 343Landscape Construction4
LA 452Planting Design3
Design Studio Courses30
LA 233Foundation Design Studio5
LA 234Site Design Studio5
LA 335Community & Open Space Studio5
LA 336Design Workshop Studio I5
LA 437Regional Design Studio5
LA 438Design Workshop Studio II5
Professional Preparation2
Professional Practice
Urban & Regional Planning3
Any UP course
Horticulture4
Woody Landscape Plants
Focused Electives 18
Focused electives are required of all BLA students to graduate and must be approved by the BLA Advisor during an advising appointment.

Summary of Credits for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture

General Education
Landscape Architecture Curriculum78
Focused Electives18
Free Electives
Total Credit Hours Required124

for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture


This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This may require up to three semesters of language depending on high school coursework or placement. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
FAA 1011LA 1012
Free Elective1LA 2813
LA 2803BLA Math Requirement course3
Life Science course3Physical Science course3
Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other than English (3rd level) or Composition I4
General Education course3 
 15 15
Total Hours 30
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
LA 2335LA 2345
LA 2413LA 2503
Any UP course3Focused Elective4
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3Free Elective1
 17 16
Total Hours 33
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
LA 3355LA 3365
LA 3424LA 3434
LA 3462LA 3144
LA 3524Focused Elective3
 15 16
Total Hours 31
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
LA 4375LA 4385
LA 4523General Education course3
Focused Elective3Focused Elective4
General Education course3Focused Elective4
 14 16
Total Hours 30

Total Hours: 124

for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture


Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students will:

  1. Build Knowledge & Develop Reasoning Skills in applying broad and deep knowledge across academic disciplines and fields and using this knowledge to develop design proposals.
  2. Apply knowledge of the Natural World to guide design decisions and activities taking into account natural resource constraints that impact land use.  
  3. Strengthen Social Awareness to better understand the social and cultural influences on human behavior and the social, political, economic, and legal institutions which influence land-use and design decisions.
  4. Employ Creative Inquiry and Discovery in addition to a range of analytical skills, and general knowledge to develop design proposals, solve problems, generate new ideas, and produce creative work.
  5. Demonstrate Responsible Leadership in working with the land and the people for whom we design.

for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture


Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture Department website
Landscape Architecture faculty
101 Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Lorado Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-0176
LADept@illinois.edu

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

FAA College Admissions & Requirements
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions