Wayne Centers
Director of Student Relations
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
dsr@uky.eduLandscape Architecture encompasses the art and science of land design, planning, and management. Its science involves the conservation and management of natural resources. Its art is the creation of outdoor spaces that are enjoyable, comfortable, and safe.Â
design public spaces such as parks, campuses, streetscapes, and urban gathering places that create community identity and public life
create sustainable and active communities with infrastructure for walking, bicycling, and other forms of transportation
improve air quality and lower urban temperatures with green spaces
solve infrastructure problems such as increased flooding from storm water and rising sea levels
collaborate with private clients to make memorable places for work, living and recreation
conserve natural and agricultural landscapes by working with communities on landscape stewardship
You will gain a strong foundation for landscape architecture through a core curriculum including design studios, implementation, graphics and digital representation, plant identification, as well as soil science and ecology. You will be able to explore topics such as design with plants, advanced graphics, advanced digital, regional land use planning, cultural landscape preservation, and/or Geographical Information Systems.
Landscape architecture is a diverse and growing profession with opportunities in both the private and public sectors.
In the private sector, graduates may work in landscape architecture design firms, multidisciplinary firms or design-build companies.
In the public sector, landscape architects work with federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. State and local governments also employ landscape architects in planning, urban design, park and open space design, transportation, and community development.
Our college is home to the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK). Through this service-oriented program, our students and faculty have worked with small towns and urban neighborhoods across the state of Kentucky on projects involving pop-up design studios, streetscape design, public space design, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, urban forestry, historic preservation and more.
To learn more about this program, campus life, and chat with an advisor, schedule a campus visit. Virtual visits may be necessary in some cases.
Thanks to special agreements through the Academic Common Market, residents from the following states may enroll in the University of Kentucky Landscape Architecture program at in-state tuition rates:
​These agreements are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information on the Academic Common Market, click here.
Design education is a place where creativity and spontaneity should guide exploration and serve as a basis for learning. My goal as an educator is to create responsible and creative designers.
Associate Professor
source: myUK: GPS
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of awards from the college. With one of the largest college-based scholarship programs, we awarded nearly $1 million to our students during the 2022-23 academic year. These awards are based on a variety of criteria such as hometown, major, career goals, high school extracurriculars, and more.
For CAFE first-semester freshmen, the scholarship application is now open and will close January 16, 2024.
For CAFE transfer students and current students, the scholarship application opens in January and will close on March 1.
Live where you learn:
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Living Learning Program (CAFE LLP) is open to all first-semester freshmen at the University of Kentucky.
Through field trips, professional development workshops and service programs, students in our LLP apply their knowledge and passion to global issues at the intersection of food, economics and environment. All students in this program will also enroll in connected courses, share study groups and have an assigned peer mentor - all to help with the transition to college life.
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
Each year, many of our graduates attend professional schools in areas such as veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a similar path, we offer pre-professional advising services.
Our pre-professional advisors will assist you with:
Students can join organizations and clubs to learn outside the classroom, gain valuable work experience and develop their leadership skills. Many of our Landscape Architecture students are involved in:
American Society of Landscape Architects
participate in organized trips, tour professional offices and visit landscapes and projects across the nation
Horticulture Club
provides the means for students to gain additional knowledge, experience and friendship centered around horticulture
Environmental Science Club
join like-minded students that share a common interest in all things environmental
Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$67,950
per year in 2021
Number of Jobs
19,800
in 2021
Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$78,500
per year in 2021
Number of Jobs
41,900
in 2021
10 Year Job Outlook
1,600
new jobs (average)
Wayne Centers
Director of Student Relations
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
dsr@uky.eduMartin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
N6 Agricultural Science Center
859-257-3469
