University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's undergraduate program in landscape architecture has been ranked first in the nation, tied with Louisiana State University, according to the 2007 DesignIntelligence Survey of Leading Landscape Architecture Programs. Penn State's program, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006-07, was ranked fourth in both 2005 and 2006 in the annual survey, the only one in the country to focus exclusively on the design professions.
The study, now in its third year, ranks accredited undergraduate and graduate landscape architecture programs from the perspective of practitioners. It targets professionals at both private firms and in the public sector who are involved in the recruitment and hiring of graduates. The Penn State program was the only one to be ranked in all seven critical skills areas, which include design, analysis and planning, construction methods and materials, computer applications, research and theory, security design principles, and sustainable design practices and principles.
"The continuing dedication of our faculty to teaching takes the program from strength to strength -- and it is gratifying to see that reflected by those who hire our students," said Brian Orland, head of the Department of Landscape Architecture.
DesignIntelligence is a publication of the Design Futures Council, a leadership network of regional and national design firms.