Assistant Landscape Architect: Education and Job Training Requirements for Becoming an Assistant Landscape Architect

Published Aug 30, 2009

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Assistant or junior landscape architects work under the supervision of senior landscape architects to create plans for landscape projects, coordinate work sites and act as liaisons between contractors, project managers and clients. Assistant landscape architects receive the same education as a landscape architects, but haven't yet earned licensure; one of the requirements for licensure is gaining experience under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect. People interested in careers as assistant landscape architects should possess a love of nature and plants, enjoy working with their hands and have an eye for design.

Assistant Landscape Architect Career Summary

Assistant landscape architects are landscape architects in the making. They work under the supervision of licensed landscape architects to gain experience so they may eventually become licensed themselves. Assistant landscape architects are responsible for the design of outdoor spaces and consider such landscape design factors as terrain, vegetation, walking trails and decorative accessories. Public agencies, real estate development firms and landscape architecture firms are some of the places assistant landscape architects may find employment.

Education Requirements for Becoming an Assistant Landscape Architect

Many agricultural schools offer bachelor's degree programs in landscape architecture that prepare students for entry-level work in the field. These landscape architecture programs generally take four years to complete, and students often are required to complete internships or apprenticeships prior to earning the degree. Some of the course topics included in a landscape architecture curriculum are housing and urban design, plant design and landscape architecture technology. Students interested in higher-level employment as project managers or may pursue a Master in Landscape Architecture degree.

Job Training and Certification Required to Become an Assistant Landscape Architect

While assistant landscape architects don't need to be licensed to work, they must work for a certain number of years under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect before they can sit for the licensing examination. Forty-nine states require licensure, and the specifications may vary by state; however, all states require landscape architects to pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE).

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