Landscape Institute
Certificate Programs
The Landscape Design Program was created in 1968 at Radcliffe College to give individuals a broader understanding of the complex forces that shape the environment. Since its inception, the program has continually expanded, providing a comprehensive course of study in the design of landscape space for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and public areas.
The practice of landscape design involves site analysis, development of design concepts and design plans, selection of construction and plant materials, and preparation of construction plans and documentation.
Certificate Eligibility and Application Process
Students may apply to become a certificate candidate after meeting the following requirements.
- Students must have completed four courses with a grade of B- or better, as follows:
- Landscape Design Certificate: one 13-week course each in design, history, drafting, and either horticulture or Landscape Construction/Site Engineering I.
- Landscape Design History or Preservation Certificate: two courses in history, one in design, and one 13-week landscape course or two modules of the student's choice.
- Students must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. If not, they must submit a portfolio of their work with their application for review and approval.
- Students must submit a Certificate Application Form with payment of a non-refundable $50 application fee to the Landscape Institute office. Students are encouraged to apply during the semester following completion of their fourth course. If students wish to apply during the semester in which they are completing their fourth course, their applications are evaluated after successful completion of that course. All applicants are notified by mail after review by the admissions committee.
Certificate Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: Dec 12
Spring Semester: Apr 10
- Students may choose to study for the combined Certificate in Landscape Design and Landscape Design History or Landscape Preservation. Interested students should call the Landscape Institute office at 617.495.8632.
Certificate Requirements
Throughout this catalog, the word “course” refers to a full semester of thirteen classes. A “module” is equivalent to seven classes. Two modules may satisfy one course requirement.
The Certificate in Landscape Design (CLD)
The curriculum for the Certificate Program in Landscape Design emphasizes the interaction between human needs and the environment and provides students with practical skills for understanding landscape design. All design studios emphasize the design process and problem solving using actual sites as case studies. Students generally complete the Certificate Program in Landscape Design on a part-time basis in three to five years.
Certificate Requirements
To earn the Certificate in Landscape Design, students must complete the following twelve courses with a grade of B- or better in each course.
- Design I, II, and III
- two courses in landscape design history
- Landscape Construction
- Site Engineering I
- two courses in plants/horticulture
- one course in Drafting
- one landscape course or two modules of the student's choice
- independent project on landscape design
A Sample Three-Year Course of Study
First Year: Drafting, Design I, plants/horticulture, history
Second Year: Landscape Construction/Site Engineering I, history, Design II, Design III, plants/horticulture
Third Year: Landscape Construction/Site Engineering I, independent project, one other landscape course or two modules
A Sample Four-Year Course of Study
First Year: Drafting, Design I, history
Second Year: Design II, Landscape Construction/Site Engineering I, plants/horticulture
Third Year: Design III, history, plants/horticulture, Landscape Construction/Site Engineering
Fourth Year: independent project, one other landscape course or two modules
The Certificate in Landscape Design History (CLH)
This certificate links the disciplines of history and design and is unique in the United States. The curriculum emphasizes landscape design history, promotes research in the discipline, and raises and addresses issues of public policy involving the land.
The curriculum recognizes the interrelationship of form, culture, and ideas, and examines how and why people structure their external environments. It prepares students for work in the areas of landscape design history, preservation, and environment at the community, state, and national levels. Students generally complete the Certificate in Landscape Design History on a part-time basis in three to five years.
Certificate Requirements
To earn the Certificate in Landscape Design History, students must complete the following twelve courses with a grade of B- or better in each course.
- one history survey course
- three other courses in history
- Design I and II
- one module in theory and one module in methods
- one course in historic preservation
- Landscape Construction/Site Engineering I or one course in plants/horticulture
- Drafting
- one course, or two modules, of the student's choice
- independent project on landscape design history
A Sample Three-Year Course of Study
First Year: history survey, Drafting, Design I, Landscape Construction/Site Engineering or plants/horticulture
Second Year: two history courses, Design II, methods, theory, one other landscape course or two modules
Third Year: preservation, history, independent project
A Sample Four-Year Course of Study
First Year: history survey, Drafting, Design I
Second Year: history, methods, Landscape Construction/Site Engineering or plants/horticulture
Third Year: two history courses, Design II, theory, one other landscape course or two modules
Fourth Year: preservation, independent project
The Certificate in Landscape Preservation (CLP)
Preserving landscapes of historic or cultural value requires an understanding of landscape history, knowledge of the tools of preservation practice, and the ability to develop long-term strategies for protecting and managing landscapes, from historic gardens to agricultural sites. The Certificate in Landscape Preservation will prepare students to work as independent consultants or as part of a nonprofit or government agency team in documenting, preserving, interpreting, and managing landscapes of historic or cultural value. Individual courses within the program can also meet the continuing education needs of those already working in historic preservation. Landscape preservation is a multidisciplinary field. It involves land-use history, public policy and law, horticulture, archaeology, ethnography, and urban and public policy history. Lectures, workshops, and roundtable discussions by professionals in the field will complement the formal course structure.
Certificate Requirements
To earn the Certificate in Landscape Preservation, students must complete the following twelve courses with a grade of B- or better in each course.
- Design I
- Historic Landscape Preservation Practice
- Historic Landscape Preservation Theory
- Preparing a Cultural Landscape Report
- three other courses in landscape preservation
- one course in Drafting
- two courses in landscape history
- Landscape Construction/Site Engineering I or one course in plants/horticulture
- independent project on landscape design preservation
A Sample Three-Year Course of Study
First Year: Design I, history survey, Drafting, Landscape Construction/Site Engineering or plants/horticulture
Second Year: Historic Landscape Preservation Practice, Historic Landscape Preservation Theory, Preparing a Cultural Landscape Report, one history course
Third Year: three preservation courses, independent project
A Sample Four-Year Course of Study
First Year: Design I, history survey, Drafting Second Year: Historic Preservation Practice, one history course, Landscape Construction/Site Engineering or plants/horticulture
Third Year: Historic Preservation Theory, one preservation module, one history course
Fourth Year: Preparing a Cultural Landscape Report, one landscape preservation course and one preservation module, independent project