Accreditation
Accreditation is a non-governmental, voluntary system of self-regulation. Its core is the concept of self-evaluation. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accreditation process evaluates each program on the basis of its stated objectives and compliance to externally mandated minimum standards.
Programs leading to first professional degrees at the bachelor’s or master’s levels in the United States are eligible to apply for accreditation from LAAB. LAAB is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the official accrediting body for first professional programs in Landscape Architecture. LAAB is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).
Accreditation is intended to be a very transparent process that involves a broad constituent/stakeholder community consisting of university administration, faculty, students, practitioners, alumni, and a host of stakeholders from within the public realm. The process prescribes a number of activities within which various constituent parties have opportunities to examine the program and document findings. The goal is threefold: to advance academic quality, to demonstrate accountability, and to engage purposeful change and needed improvement. To this end, the department necessarily strives to increase and enhance its outcomes assessment process with the goal of providing both quantitative and qualitative evidence of its findings, proposed changes, and implemented changes.
The Master in Landscape Architecture Track II and III programs at NC State are accredited by the LAAB. The department has had an LAAB accredited program since 1972. The previous review was in Spring 2016, and the next accreditation review is scheduled for Spring 2022.
- The Fall 2015-Spring 2021 Self Evaluation Report can be viewed here.
As part of the LAAB requirements, NCSU’s MLA program maintains basic program metrics and makes them available to the public (see below).
Student Work & Student Awards
- Examples of student work can be found here.
- NCSU LA+EP students have won regional, state, and national awards in research, design, and graphic communication. An extensive list of student awards can be found here.
Estimated Cost of Attendance for Full-Time Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Students:
Tuition totals are for full-time students taking 9+ hours/semester. For a more thorough breakdown of Graduate School tuition please visit the Student Services website.
For more information on financial aid offerings, graduate assistantships, and scholarships, please visit the Paying for your MLA page and the Student Services Financial Aid page.
In-State (Residents of North Carolina):
| Tuition | Tuition Increment* | Required Fees | Total |
| $4547.50 | $700 | $1308.80 | $6551.30 |
Out-of-State (Nonresidents of North Carolina):
| Tuition | Tuition Increment* | Required Frees | Total |
| $13541.00 | $700 | $1308.8 | $15544.80 |
MLA Program Retention Rates for New Enrollments
| Percentage of students who began studies in Fall 2015 and continued into Fall 2016: | 88% | |
| Percentage of students who began studies in Fall 2016 and continued into Fall 2017: | 87% | |
| Percentage of students who began studies in Fall 2017 and continued into Fall 2018: | 90% | |
| Percentage of students who began studies in Fall 2018 and continued into Fall 2019: | 94% | |
| Percentage of students who began studies in Fall 2019 and continued into Fall 2020: | 88% | |
| Percentage of students who began studies in Fall 2020 and continued into Fall 2021: | 100% |
MLA with timely graduation (within 4 years):
| Percentage of students graduating within 4-years, entering class of 2014: | 100% |
| Percentage of students graduating within 4-years, entering class of 2015: | 75% |
| Percentage of students graduating within 4-years, entering class of 2016: | 93% |
| Percentage of students graduating within 4-years, entering class of 2017: | 100% |
| Percentage of students graduating within 4-years, entering class of 2018: | 100% |
Number of MLA Degrees Award:
| Number of degrees awarded for the 2015-2016 Academic Year: | 18 |
| Number of degrees awarded for the 2016-2017 Academic Year: | 19 |
| Number of degrees awarded for the 2017-2018 Academic Year: | 18 |
| Number of degrees awarded for the 2018-2019 Academic Year: | 16 |
| Number of degrees awarded for the 2019-2020 Academic Year: | 16 |
| Number of degrees awarded for the 2020-2021 Academic Year: | 18 |
Post-Graduation Employment
The MLA program prepares students to work in a wide range of fields. Our graduates work in local private practice around the Triangle to internationally known firms, to the public sector government jobs, to teaching and further advanced research. Alumni are encouraged to stay in touch through our Department LinkedIn page!
| Present Occupation | Totals |
| Advanced Study and Research | 7 |
| Teaching | 4 |
| Private Practice | 76 |
| Public Practice | 12 |
| Landscape Hort/Design Build | 2 |
| Other | 2 |
| Unknown | 27 |
| Total | 130 |