Currently, we have students in the program from Mexico, Taiwan, People's Republic of China, Turkey, Japan, and Spain. This geographic, cultural, and educational diversity is a key factor in the richness of the educational experience that we offer in our program. The curriculum uses the Lower Mississippi Valley as a laboratory for study of the roles of nature, culture, and individuals in shaping the built environment through design. The intention of this focus is to emphasize the central role that place and place meaning must pay in the the process of landscape design, planning, and management. Coarse formats include studios, seminars, lectures and field study.
Independent study is encouraged.
Both the accredited first degree track and the advanced study track blend professional design knowledge with concentration in an area of the student's choice, culminating in a thesis. Most courses are only taught once during each academic year, so we strongly urge students to begin the program Fall Semester so that they can take the course in proper sequence. Students who have already attained a professional design degree in landscape architecture or architecture enter the advanced study track which typically takes two academic years to complete. Students in this track are encouraged to develop their own course sequence personally geared to their interest area and career goals. This planning is done in close consultation with a faculty advisor.