Accelerated Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Science in Environmental Planning - BLA, MsEP

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College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

About This Degree:

The accelerated Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Science in Environmental Planning (BLA+EP) program allows advanced Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) undergraduates the opportunity to pursue a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program within an accelerated time frame.

The mission of the accelerated BLA+EP program is to prepare future professionals to recognize the reciprocal relationship between the biophysical attributes of a region and the human dimensions of settlement and culture; build expertise in landscape level analysis and planning, and how to prepare to serve as leaders within a transdisciplinary environment to develop better alternatives for land-use decisions and policy. This mission will be accomplished through a core set of undergraduate and graduate landscape architecture and environmental planning courses and experiences.

For more information about Landscape Architecture, see the website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1050: College Algebra (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 3.0 GPA

General Education Requirements (39 credits)

The following courses are required to meet general education requirements set forth by the University:

APEC 1600 - Natural Resources and American Economic Institutions (BAI) 3 credit(s)
ASTE 3050 - Technical and Professional Communication Principles (CI) 3 credit(s) or
BUS 3200 - Business Communication (CI) 3 credit(s) or
ENGL 3080 - Introduction to Technical Communication (CI) 3 credit(s)
ENGL 1010 - Writing as Inquiry (CL1) 3 credit(s)
ENGL 2010 - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (CL2) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 2340 - Environment, Natural Resources, and Society (BSS) 3 credit(s)
GEO 3100 - Natural Disasters (DSC) 3 credit(s)
LAEP 1030 - Introduction to Landscape Architecture (BCA) 3 credit(s)
CMST 1020 - Public Speaking (BHU) 3 credit(s) or
LAEP 2300 - History of Landscape Architecture (BHU) 3 credit(s) (minimum grade of C or better)
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I (QI) 4 credit(s) (minimum grade of C or better)
MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) 4 credit(s)
PSC 2010 - Soils, Waters, and the Environment (BPS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 3600 - Finding Community in Today’s Society (DSS) 3 credit(s) or
SOC 3610 - Rural People and Places (DSS) 3 credit(s) or
SOC 4620 - Sociology of the Environment and Natural Resources (DSS) 3 credit(s)
USU 1010 - University Connections 2 credit(s)
WATS 1200 - Biodiversity and Sustainability (BLS) 3 credit(s) or
WILD 2200 - Ecology of Our Changing World (BLS) 3 credit(s)

LAEP Courses Required for Matriculation (32 credits)

Students must matriculate (be accepted) to the BLA program. Matriculation is based on performance in the following courses and submission of a design portfolio and letter of intent. Learn more at laep.usu.edu/students/how-to-apply.

LAEP 1200 - Introduction to Graphics and Illustration 4 credit(s)
LAEP 1300 - Digital Drafting, Illustration, and Modeling 3 credit(s)
LAEP 1350 - Theory of Design 4 credit(s)
LAEP 2300 - History of Landscape Architecture (BHU) 3 credit(s) (minimum grade of C or better)
LAEP 2500 - Construction Materials and Detailing 4 credit(s)
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I (QI) 4 credit(s) (minimum grade of C or better)
LAEP 2700 - Analysis Design I 5 credit(s)
LAEP 2720 - Analysis and Design 2 5 credit(s)
PSC 2620 - Woody Plant Materials: Trees and Shrubs for the Landscape 3 credit(s)

BLA Courses (40 credits)

The following courses are required for the BLA portion of the degree:

LAEP 2400 - 3D Representation 3 credit(s)
LAEP 3100 - Recreation and Open Space Planning and Design 5 credit(s)
LAEP 3120 - Land Planning for Residential Development 5 credit(s)
LAEP 3300 - GIS for Environmental Planning 4 credit(s)
LAEP 3400 - Advanced Geospatial Analysis and Visualization for Environmental Planning 4 credit(s)
LAEP 3500 - Planting Design 4 credit(s)
LAEP 4100 - Urban Theory, Systems, and Design 5 credit(s)
LAEP 4110 - Landscape Construction II 4 credit(s)
LAEP 4350 - Travel Course 2 credit(s)
LAEP 4910 - Foundations of Business in Design and Planning 3 credit(s)

Theory Courses (8 credits)

LAEP 6740 - Planning Theory and Implementation Issues 3 credit(s)
LAEP 6750 - Implementation and Regulatory Techniques in Planning 3 credit(s)
LAEP 6910 - Readings in Landscape Architecture 1 credit(s)
LAEP 6930 - Readings in Environmental Planning 1 credit(s)

Thesis Courses (8 credits)

To be accepted into the combined BLA+EP program, students must apply to the Environmental Planning Master’s Degree via applynow.usu.edu during their junior year. If accepted, they begin taking graduate level courses during their senior year. Students only pay graduate level tuition during their fifth year of study. Learn more at laep.usu.edu/degrees/bla-ep.

A Plan A thesis or Plan B paper/project option is required and is to be negotiated with the candidate, major professor, and supervisory committee. Students will then either complete an additional 3 credits of LAEP 6970 or 3 credits in LAEP 6960 , depending on the student’s plan type.

LAEP 6880 - Landscape Architecture Research Methods 2 credit(s)
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures 1 credit(s)
LAEP 6970 - Thesis Research 1-6 credit(s) (all students must complete 2 credits)

Plan A

LAEP 6970 - Thesis Research 1-6 credit(s) (3 credits)

Plan B

LAEP 6960 - Master’s Project 1-6 credit(s) (3 credits)

Environmental Planning and Design Courses (19 credits)

LAEP 6110 - Landscape Ecology for Planning 3 credit(s)
LAEP 6200 - Bioregional Analysis and Planning 5 credit(s)
LAEP 6210 - Bioregional Management and Policy 5 credit(s)
LAEP 6370 - City and Regional Planning 3 credit(s)

Elective Courses (7 credits)

The following are suggested electives:

APEC 5950 - Applied Economics Policy Analysis 3 credit(s)
APEC 6700 - Regional and Community Economic Development 3 credit(s)
APEC 6710 - Frontiers in Agribusiness 3 credit(s)
ENVS 6310 - Introduction to Environmental Laws and Policy 3 credit(s)
ENVS 6550 - Sustainability: Concepts and Measurement 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 150

Suggested Degree Map - Accelerated Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Science in Environmental Planning - BLA, MsEP

Accelerated Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Science in Environmental Planning BLA, MsEP - Degree Map