{"id":4814,"date":"2026-10-21T09:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T13:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/?p=4814"},"modified":"2026-10-22T14:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T18:24:45","slug":"accreditation-program-disclosure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/accreditation-program-disclosure\/","title":{"rendered":"Accreditation Program Disclosure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) requires accredited programs to share reliable information with the public about their accreditation status and performance. This information is provided to help prospective students make informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accreditation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) at the University of Rhode Island is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). URI&#8217;s BLA is the only accredited landscape architecture program in Rhode Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Most recent review:<\/strong> LAAB site visit, Fall 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accreditation decision:<\/strong> Pending<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Previous accreditation action:<\/strong> Reaccreditation granted March 2024, following an October 1\u20134, 2023 site visit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program received a shortened accreditation term because its previous review was postponed twice: once because of COVID-19 and once at the request of the CELS dean. After the Fall 2026 review, the program will return to LAAB&#8217;s regular review cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.asla.org\/schools.aspx\">List of LAAB-accredited programs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Licensure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Landscape architects in the United States must be licensed. Licensure candidates typically need a degree from an LAAB-accredited program, professional experience (often two years), and a passing score on the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). Graduates of URI&#8217;s BLA meet the accredited-degree requirement. The program does not currently have access to LARE pass rates for its graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program at a Glance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Degree:<\/strong> Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA), first professional degree<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Length:<\/strong> Four years (eight semesters) for students who enter as first-year students; transfer students who enter as sophomores typically finish in three years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Credits:<\/strong> 120<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curriculum:<\/strong> Seven design studios, two construction studios, and courses in digital technology, plant sciences, and community planning, plus URI general education requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enrollment:<\/strong> Limited to 20 students per year, in accordance with accreditation standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Mission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mission of the University of Rhode Island Landscape Architecture Program is to educate future landscape architects through a professional, accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) degree that integrates STEM and the fine arts within a studio- and project-based learning environment. The program emphasizes regenerative systems, coastal resilience, working landscapes, participatory community planning, and community-engaged design, preparing graduates to become innovative designers, planners, and stewards of the built and natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Rhode Island&#8217;s only accredited landscape architecture program, we advance the University&#8217;s land- and sea-grant mission by engaging students in collaborative projects with municipalities, nonprofit organizations, state agencies, professional practitioners, and community stakeholders to address real-world environmental and community challenges. Through inclusive, student-centered education, students develop their individual design voice while building technical competence, critical thinking skills, professional judgment, and a strong sense of ethical and environmental responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Landscape Architecture fosters a collaborative, studio-based learning community that combines individualized mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and close engagement with faculty, peers, clients, and community partners. Graduates are prepared to address the pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges facing communities through creative, evidence-based, and resilient design solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Academic Goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program prepares graduates who are creative, ethical, and technically proficient professionals capable of improving the environmental, social, and cultural well-being of communities. Its academic goals are to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prepare students for professional practice and leadership<\/strong> in landscape architecture and related disciplines through a rigorous, accredited design education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foster interdisciplinary learning and collaboration<\/strong> by engaging students with faculty, clients, community stakeholders, public agencies, and allied professions to address real-world environmental and community challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Develop creative problem-solvers<\/strong> who apply design thinking, scientific knowledge, and emerging technologies to projects ranging from site design to regional planning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promote environmental stewardship, resilience, and regenerative design<\/strong> by integrating ecological systems, climate adaptation, and sustainable practices throughout the curriculum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cultivate global perspectives, cultural competence, and civic engagement<\/strong> through community partnerships, international learning opportunities, and experiences that prepare students to work effectively in diverse professional and cultural settings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Educational Objectives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>I. Professional Knowledge.<\/strong> Students develop a comprehensive understanding of landscape architecture history, theory, and precedent; design principles and processes; cultural and natural systems; ecology and environmental processes; plants, materials, and construction methods; and professional practice, ethics, and contemporary issues affecting the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>II. Design Thinking and Problem Solving.<\/strong> Students learn to apply critical thinking and evidence-based decision making; conduct site inventory, analysis, and program development; generate creative and innovative design solutions; work across multiple scales, from individual sites to regions; and integrate ecological, cultural, technical, and community considerations into the design process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>III. Professional and Technical Skills.<\/strong> Students gain proficiency in site planning and construction documentation; grading, drainage, circulation, and landscape technologies; physical and digital modeling; GIS, CAD, drones, and emerging technologies; and professional portfolio development and visual communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IV. Communication and Collaboration.<\/strong> Students learn to communicate ideas effectively through drawing, graphics, digital media, writing, and oral presentation; collaborate productively with clients, community members, and interdisciplinary teams; and engage stakeholders through participatory design and public presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>V. Environmental Ethics and Community Engagement.<\/strong> Students develop an understanding of ecological stewardship and regenerative design; climate resilience and sustainable communities; cultural landscapes and sense of place; environmental justice, equity, and inclusive design; professional responsibility and ethical decision making; and community engagement and public service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>VI. Personal and Professional Development.<\/strong> Students graduate able to think independently and creatively, demonstrate professionalism and leadership, work collaboratively in diverse teams, respect diverse cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences, and engage in lifelong learning and continued professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2336\/BLA-Student-Learning-Outcomes.pdf\">Student Learning Outcomes (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost of Attendance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Full-time students:<\/strong> See <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tuition-billing\/tuition-and-fees\/\">URI Tuition and Fees<\/a> for current full-time tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and dining costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Part-time students: per-credit undergraduate tuition and required fees (2026\u201327)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Item<\/th><th>Undergraduate<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Tuition, in-state (per credit)<\/td><td>$654<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tuition, out-of-state (per credit)<\/td><td>$1,556<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tuition, regional (per credit)<\/td><td>$1,145<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Technology fee (per credit)<\/td><td>$16<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Student services fee (per credit)<\/td><td>$49<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Registration fee (flat, per semester)<\/td><td>$30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Activity fee (flat, per semester)<\/td><td>$32<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Program and other applicable fees (undergraduate)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Fee<\/th><th>Amount<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Landscape Architecture fee<\/td><td>$20 per credit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Course fee (applicable courses)<\/td><td>$25 Tier I \/ $55 Tier II \/ $75 Tier III<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New student fee<\/td><td>$300 (one time)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Transcript fee<\/td><td>$50 (one time)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Document fee<\/td><td>$115 (one time, per degree level)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Landscape architecture students should also budget for a laptop and design software. See <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2336\/2026_Technology-Specifications-for-URI-Landscape-Architecture.pdf\">Technology Specifications for URI Landscape Architecture (PDF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Retention and Graduation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Retention is measured from the first design studio, LAR 243.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Academic year<\/th><th>Students in LAR 243<\/th><th>Students graduating<\/th><th>Retention from first studio<\/th><th>Graduation within 4 years of LAR 243<\/th><th>BLA degrees awarded<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>2025\u20132026<\/td><td>22<\/td><td>21<\/td><td>95%<\/td><td>100%<\/td><td>21<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2024\u20132025<\/td><td>20<\/td><td>19<\/td><td>95%<\/td><td>95%<\/td><td>19<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2023\u20132024<\/td><td>20<\/td><td>19<\/td><td>95%<\/td><td>100%<\/td><td>19<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2022\u20132023<\/td><td>22<\/td><td>19<\/td><td>82%<\/td><td>94%<\/td><td>18<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2021\u20132022<\/td><td>16<\/td><td>12<\/td><td>75%<\/td><td>82%<\/td><td>12<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Graduate Outcomes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The department surveys graduates one year after graduation to learn where they are working or studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Outcome<\/th><th>2021<\/th><th>2022<\/th><th>2023<\/th><th>2024<\/th><th>2025<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Landscape architecture design firms<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Multidisciplinary firms<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Design-build firms<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Graduate school<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Travel<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Did not report<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total graduates<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>16<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>15<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>12<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>17<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>20<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of the 65 graduates from 2021 to 2025 who responded, 80% were working in landscape architecture, multidisciplinary, or design-build firms, and 15% were in graduate school. In recent years, more graduates have been hired by large interdisciplinary firms working on complex projects, often international in scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How We Assess Student Learning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Portfolio reviews.<\/strong> Students complete a portfolio review in April of sophomore year to advance to the upper-division sequence, and a second, professional-quality portfolio review in their final semester. Senior portfolios are evaluated by outside professionals, and the department uses their feedback to update the curriculum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Professional critique.<\/strong> Students receive ongoing desk critiques from faculty and visiting critics, and present midterm and final work to practitioners, clients, and community members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community-engaged studios.<\/strong> In LAR 444 Sustainable Design Studio, seniors work with community partners on large, complex sites; recent work covered the Seekonk Shore in East Providence with the East Providence Waterfront Commission and City Planning Department. The LAR 445 capstone collaborates with capstone classes in Marine Affairs, Environmental and Resource Economics, and Ocean Engineering on projects sponsored by Rhode Island Sea Grant and the Coastal Resources Center.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internships.<\/strong> Internships (LAR 477) are recommended. Students earn credit by presenting a final report to faculty and classmates, and employers submit an assessment of each intern&#8217;s work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Academic standards.<\/strong> Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and earn at least a C in all LAR courses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Connections to practice.<\/strong> Student showcases and the URI Landscape Architecture Lecture Series, running for more than 30 years, connect students with alumni, employers, and practitioners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) requires accredited programs to share reliable information with the public about their accreditation status and performance. This information is provided to help prospective students make informed decisions. Accreditation The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) at the University of Rhode Island is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1089,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1089"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4814"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4820,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4814\/revisions\/4820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/espd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}