The Academy of Art is an inclusive admissions university which means that most students will have the opportunity to study with us. We do not apply minimum GPA or completion of math courses as screening criteria for admission into the Landscape Architecture program. However, Landscape Architecture is a demanding major, and significant time commitment is needed to acquire and demonstrate learning outcomes in each course. We provide individualized support for students who need it. Students receive support from a team of advisors and, most importantly, from our faculty who care deeply about each student’s progress.
A portfolio is required for application to the Graduate School of Landscape Architecture.
- Application: Submit an online application
- Personal Statement: Please provide a detailed statement regarding your interest in transferring. Tell us about yourself. How would someone who knows you well describe you? What or who influenced your decision to study landscape architecture? What do you love about it? What are your goals? If you plan to be an online student, please tell us why the online mode of learning is the best choice for you.
- Transcripts: Provide transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Note: international transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation agency – please contact your admissions representative for a list.
- Resume (optional): Please describe your educational background, work experience, and skill sets. List all software skills. Upload PDF to SlideRoom.
- Portfolio: Required if requesting transfer credits for landscape architecture courses. Please see Portfolio Guidelines. Upload PDF to SlideRoom.
- Academy of Art University only accepts courses with grades of C or higher for transfer credit.
- Courses must be 3 or more credits to transfer. Courses will be combined where applicable to maximize transfer credits.
- Total transfer credits are determined based on a review of portfolio and transcripts.
- Maximum number of credits that can be transferred into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Landscape Architecture is 60 units.
- General Education Block Transfer is available for students with an associate degree.
- Credit for Prior Learning awards credits for skills demonstrated in a portfolio but not acquired through course work.
- Please do not use AI to create your portfolio. AI-generated drawings or sketches will result in a lower placement. An accurate assessment of your skills helps with course placement that ensures your academic success.
- Portfolio must be a multi-page PDF file. Maximum file size for SlideRoom is 10MB for each PDF file. More than one PDF file can be uploaded. Please compress or optimize PDF file sizes. If file size is an issue, please click on Slideroom Troubleshooting – Multiple or Large Files Upload.
- URL link to a portfolio website will not be accepted. Please upload PDF files to SlideRoom.
- Please list your name on the cover page as well as on each page of the portfolio.
- For collaborative work (or projects done in professional context) please describe in detail your contribution and list skills utilized to complete the tasks.
- For each project, please provide title, location, date, and course number or firm name. If applicable, please list all software tools used in each project.
- All material, written and graphic, must be original work created by you.
We conduct a thorough review of your portfolio and transcript(s). Our goal is to match as many of our courses with those you have taken previously. To ensure this goal,
- Please list the course numbers on your portfolio pages so that we can understand in which course the work was created.
- List all software programs used on the portfolio pages – we are looking for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino.
- If you worked in a group, please explain in detail your contribution to the group project.
For design studio placement, please submit for EACH project included in the portfolio:
- Text narrative describing important design decisions (design intent)
- Process work such as Diagrams visually explaining the the design decisions
- Site plans with accompanying sections and elevations
- Site observation and analysis
- Digital models and renderings if applicable
- Physical models if applicable
- Freehand sketches if applicable
- View course offerings in the university’s Course Catalog
- View course descriptions and learning outcomes on the Landscape Architecture Courses page
Here are links to information helpful for undergraduate transfer students. Please click on the images.
