The Department of Landscape Architecture at Clemson University, established in 1987, is a part of the university’s College of Architecture Arts and Humanities, whose mission focuses on transformative education, knowledge development, and creative expression in rapidly changing environments locally and around the world. The department values the art and science of design, engagement, innovation, ethical environmental and social justice, responsible land stewardship, the power of place, and international education. Students in the department are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary studies in subjects such as forestry, sociology, historic preservation, engineering, and tourism, to name a few. Students are provided the option of pursuing their studies off-campus in Charleston, South Carolina, Genoa, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain. All three degree programs are accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board.

Clemson University offers both a bachelor of landscape architecture (BLA) and a master of landscape architecture (MLA). The MLA includes a first professional degree for students pursuing an MLA degree with no design background and a second professional degree for students seeking an advanced degree in landscape architecture. Students working toward the BLA will be required to present a landscape architecture portfolio that will display the culmination of their work over the course of the five-year program. An exit project will include a design-build project or a substantive research project. The exit studio synthesizes and builds on skills developed throughout the program. The first professional MLA program is a three-year program designed to give students a professional education but is also an opportunity for extensive research or project work. Students may be admitted to this program with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited university. The second professional MLA requires that incoming students have a five-year bachelor of landscape architecture degree.