Academic Programs

Overview
PLA is home to undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
BS Landscape Studies
Introducing students to the field of landscape studies and provides specialties in restoration ecology, environmental planning, or cultural and historic landscapes.
BSLA Professional Degree
Training students to become licensed landscape architects. This is a professional degree program accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
MS Landscape Architecture
This Master of Science degree emphasizes conducting original research in the form of a thesis or creating evidence-based design solutions to complex landscape problems.
MS Urban & Regional Planning
This Master of Science degree prepares students for professional positions in government, non-profit and community organizations, and the private sector, to be leaders in shaping communities.
PhD Urban & Regional Planning
This Doctor of Philosophy degree is a research degree and is intended to appeal to individuals from diverse planning backgrounds.

The Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture is committed to establishing and maintaining a supportive climate of inclusion, diversity, and collegiality among our interactions and through our actions and policies. We envision a department in which all individuals are engaged in a vibrant learning community, where ideas, experiences, and perspectives are supported, nurtured, and developed to their highest levels.

Meet PLA

Get to Know PLA

Jeff Sledge

Research Scientist

Zachary Meyer

MS Student

Zach is a first-year student pursuing a master’s in landscape architecture. He is originally from the Madison…

Featured

Jury Week Schedule

Jury week is almost upon us! Check out the posted schedule below.

Kayla holding the URPL trophy on Bascom Hill

The semester may be coming to a close, but the URPL trophy tradition continues! This week we are excited to highlight URPL grad student, Kayla Wandsnider. The Wisconsin native shares a bit about her interests in urban and regional planning, her post-graduation plans, and…

Professor Alfonso Morales stands in front of a statue at Penn State

Professor Alfonso Morales Speaks at Penn State

PLA Represented in Pennsylvania

Penn State hosted its sixth annual Rural Studies Student Conference this past Thursday and Friday. URPL's own, Professor Alfonso Morales, was one of two keynote speakers to give a talk preceding the conference titled, "Insurgent…

Daniel Zhou holds the URPL Trophy in front of Bascom Hall

Halloween Edition: Where's the Trophy?

After a month long break, the URPL trophy tradition is back! This week we put a festive twist on our Q + A with New York native, Daniel Zhou. Read about Daniel's post-graduation goals, pocky addiction, and more below!

DANIEL ZHOU

Name…

Meet PLA's Newest Student Staffer

Sitting behind the office door, labeled 15A in Ag Hall, is PLA's newest department addition - Whelan Callahan. The current undergraduate studying computer science, shares a little about his interests, both academically and personally in the Q + A below!