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 Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) requires accredited programs to provide reliable information to the public. This information is intended to help potential students make informed application decisions.

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:

The following estimated cost of full-time attendance for the year (2024-2025) is summarized and provided for reference. Please note that certain graduate professional programs, including the Master of Landscape Architecture program, carry a tuition increment or “premium” in addition to the regular graduate tuition. This increased tuition charge is used to maintain or enhance the excellence of the program while assuring access to them.

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
$4,918.50	$700	$1231.25	$6849.75

Certain graduate professional programs carry a tuition increment or “premium” in addition to the regular graduate tuition. This increased tuition charge is used to maintain or enhance the excellence of the program while assuring access to them.

Out-of-State (Nonresidents of North Carolina):

Tuition	Tuition Increment*	Required Frees	Total
$15,305.00	$700	$1231.25	$17,236.25

Number of MLA Degrees Awarded:

Degrees Awarded: The program has awarded the following number of degrees over the past five years: (2019-2024)

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)	Degrees Awarded	Certificates Awarded
2019-2020	15	0
2020-2021	19	3
2021-2022	22	3
2022-2023	29	12
2023-2024	24	8

Average time to completion:

The program has an average time to completion of 2.59 years over the past five years (2019-2023).

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)	Time to Completion (Years)
2019	2.65 years
2020	2.2 years
2021	2.7 years
2022	2.7 years
2023	2.7 years

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

Includes employment of graduates from 2015 to present.

Prospective Student Information

Information for prospective students can be found on the following websites:

Master of Landscape Architecture Program Admissions Information: https://design.ncsu.edu/landscape-architecture/academics/mla-admissions/
Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Homepage: https://design.ncsu.edu/landscape-architecture/
Financial Aid and Scholarship: https://design.ncsu.edu/resources/financial-aid/

Program Contact Information

María Bellalta, FASLA, IFLA AR
Department Head and Professor of Landscape Architecture + Environmental Planning; Director for Global Engagement
maria_bellalta@ncsu.edu