Online Landscape Architecture Course and Class Reviews

Online landscape architecture courses can be difficult to find since most relevant classes require both theoretical and hands-on training that can only be accessed through classroom instruction. Nevertheless, a few online courses intended to enhance the campus experience at the undergraduate, professional and graduate levels are available.

Overview of Online Landscape Architecture Courses

Since landscape architecture coursework requires students to actively participate in collaborative project presentations, 3D model-making and hands-on field studies, very few classes are offered exclusively online. However, some schools now offer distance learning components as a supplement to lower- and upper-division, on-campus coursework. Students interested in this hybrid form of learning can complete courses leading toward a professional certificate, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA), Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) or Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA). Upon graduation, landscape architects often find employment with firms that specialize in landscape design. Public land agencies, like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, as well as state and local park divisions, also offer employment opportunities.

Requirements for Online Courses

Landscape architecture students need a computer with Internet access and a basic understanding of logging into a personal account and accessing appropriate lessons. Online participants also need to possess a printer-friendly program, such as Adobe Acrobat, to view and print teacher instructions. To receive potentially large video files, a high-speed Internet connection is advisable. Since landscape architecture often relies on specialized graphic software, students may need to purchase specific software to complete coursework at home.

List of Online Landscape Architecture Courses

Introduction to Landscape Architecture Course

This course provides a general overview for students contemplating careers in landscape architecture. Students learn about ecological awareness and the process of designing open spaces for specific communities and environmental regions.

Basic Architectural Landscape Design Course

Students in this course are introduced to the processes of landscape architecture. Emphasis is placed on learning to record, conceptualize and present landscape design proposals. Students learn to clearly communicate design ideas utilizing hand- and computer-drafted plans.

Professionalism in Landscape Architecture Course

This upper-division class looks into the practices and standards of being a landscape architect within a private or public office. It covers project acquisitions, office management techniques and project implementation processes.

Computer-Assisted Landscaping Course

This course provides an introduction to computer-aided design (CAD), and students also develop other technical skills necessary to create, communicate and execute landscape architecture plans. Desktop publishing, image processing, and geographical information system (GIS) software, which allows students to explore and analyze spatial data, are also covered.

History of Public Spaces Course

Students examine the social, economic and political development of the constructed urban environment throughout history. Online participants explore the influences of ancient and more recent cultures from around the world and the impact of those influences on the evolution of the public space.

Preservation Movements Course

Students in this course investigate the organizational structure and growth of public, private and not-for-profit sectors of the preservation movement in the United States. They additionally examine external factors, such as tax credits and incentives that drive historical preservation movements.