What Does It Take to Become a Landscape Architect?
By: Janna • Essay • 1,072 Words • December 11, 2009 • 963 Views
Essay title: What Does It Take to Become a Landscape Architect?
What Does It Take To Become A Landscape Architect?
People today really don't like the idea of becoming a Landscape Architect; they believe the work is too difficult for anyone to do. But, there are some people that don't mind the work and believe that it is worth their time. These types of people enjoy the product of their ideas, not what work goes into it. The Landscape Architecture is a combination of art and science; however, architects have a lot to deal with concerning the complex relationships between the built and natural environments. The Landscape Architects of today play an important role in the environmental protection, meanwhile designing and implementing projects that respect both needs of people and the environment. There are many positive aspects that come out of becoming a Landscape Architect; however, many people don't realize what they can do with this job. There are three steps in becoming a certified Landscape Architect are having the desire to become a Landscape Architect, getting general education with a bachelor's degree, and passing a required licensing test that has to be passed.
A Landscape Architect sometimes needs more than just an education before actually become a Landscape Architect. He or she needs to have the desire to want to become a Landscape Architect. Gathering information would probably be the first step in becoming a Landscape Architect. Landscape Architects require a lot of time; thus many people choose a different career path. But, many people like the idea of becoming a Landscape Architect because the salaries after a few years can almost double. One would need to call around and ask what actual Landscape Architects actually think about their job. This may then be a way to make sure that he or she really likes this job. Because of other factors that he or she would come across, this job can sometimes be seasonal depending on the region. Though this could affect the money flow, people need to have a back-up source of income. The first step has the biggest impact on how he or she succeeds in becoming a Landscape Architect.
The second step requires a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree to become a Landscape Architect. This way he or she has some prior knowledge before attempting any higher-level education. Then, other education requirements are: understanding the arts and a humanistic approach to design, having the ability to analyze problems in terms of design and physical form, having technical competence to translate a design into a built work, and having skills in all aspects of professional practice of management and professional ethics. The formal education is a essential to gain the skills and knowledge of the material above. Then, there are two types of professional education that need to be obtained at the undergraduate or graduate level. There are then two undergraduate professional degrees: a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). These two degrees are generally the same just the one requires more science classes then the other. The Landscape Architecture program at Michigan State University requires a minimum of twenty-eight University required classes. Then, there are fifty-seven major classes that need to be taken with a minimum grade point average of a 2.0, that all have to deal with Landscape Architecture. This step is probably the most difficult to overcome since there are a vast amount of time evolved in becoming a Landscape Architect.
The last step in becoming a Landscape Architect is passing a few examinations to obtain a state license. There are a few fees that need to be paid before taking any exam. The licensure and first registration fee is two hundred and seventy dollars. Then,