Kent State University

What you'll study

The programme is studio-centred and integrates design, ecology, construction technology and planning. Typical areas of study include site and landscape design studios, plant materials and planting design, landform and grading, stormwater management and green infrastructure, landscape construction detailing, environmental systems and ecological restoration. Planning-related subjects introduce land use planning, site analysis, urban design, community engagement and policy frameworks that inform landscape decision-making.

• Design studios: multi-term projects that progress from conceptual inquiry to detailed construction documentation and presentation.
• Ecology & technical courses: soils and hydrology, native plants and habitats, sustainable site infrastructure, grading and drainage.
• Planning and policy: land use and zoning, community and regional planning, project-based engagement with stakeholders.
• Digital and analogue skills: GIS for landscape planning, CAD and BIM workflows, 3D modelling and visualisation, hand drawing and modelmaking.
• Professional practice: project management, contract documents, ethical practice and preparation for professional licensure or registration pathways.

Students typically complete a culminating studio or research project that demonstrates integration of design, technical competence and planning insight. Elective options and research seminars allow specialisation in areas such as ecological design, urban waterfronts, post-industrial landscapes or community-based planning.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised undergraduate degree. Typical backgrounds include landscape architecture, architecture, environmental design, horticulture, planning, geography or a related field. Applicants with degrees in other disciplines who can demonstrate relevant skills, experience or a strong portfolio may be considered, sometimes with recommended preparatory coursework.

• Academic transcripts: official records from undergraduate study showing satisfactory academic performance.
• Portfolio: a selection of design work, site projects, drawings, photographs or other evidence of creative and technical ability. Portfolios are a central part of assessment.
• Personal statement: a statement of purpose outlining experience, interests and professional aims within landscape architecture and planning.
• References: academic or professional letters of recommendation.
• English language: for international applicants, proof of English proficiency is required through an approved test or equivalent evidence.

Admissions decisions take a holistic view of academic record, portfolio quality and professional potential. Some applicants may be advised to take bridging courses if their undergraduate preparation is in a non-design field.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles across practice, government and community organisations. Typical career paths include landscape architect in private design firms, urban designer, site planner, ecological restoration specialist, parks and recreation planner, environmental consultant, and roles in transportation or infrastructure agencies. Graduates also work in community engagement, historic landscape preservation, and as specialists in green infrastructure and stormwater management.

The degree prepares students for professional career progression and for the licensure/registration process where applicable. Alumni find employment with multidisciplinary design practices, municipal planning departments, regional conservation organisations, engineering consultancies and non-profit agencies focused on urban resilience and environmental stewardship.

Why study at Kent State University

Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design offers a studio-driven education with access to regional sites in Northeast Ohio for field-based learning and real-world projects. The programme emphasises hands-on technical skills alongside ecological and planning theory, supported by workshops, digital fabrication facilities and GIS resources.

Students benefit from close faculty mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, planning and environmental design programmes, and connections with local municipalities and community partners for applied research and practicum opportunities. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to meet contemporary challenges in resilient design, sustainable infrastructure and equitable place-making.