Olmsted s vision of the profession, exemplified by his design of New York s Central Park, was based on integration of art and design, agricultural sciences, engineering, social theory, and broader environmental concerns. Nearly 30 percent of landscape architects are self-employed. Forty percent of the profession work for private firms. The remainder of landscape architects are employed by multidisciplinary firms, government agencies, universities, or outside the immediate field. A bachelor s degree in landscape architecture is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions.
Most employers prefer to hire landscape architects that have completed at least one internship.
Forty-five states require landscape architects to be licensed or registered. Licensing is based on the Landscape Architect Registration Examination, sponsored by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. The 21 st century promises new developments and challenges for landscape architects worldwide. Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important and landscape architects are being called upon to provide their expertise to solve complex problems. Computer technology has opened the field to computerized design and site analysis.