Landscape Architecture is the art and science of design, planning, and/or management of the land and the natural and man-made elements upon it. As an academic discipline, it embodies creative, cultural, philosophical, and scientific knowledge bases. As a profession, the practice of landscape architecture includes site design, urban design, master planning, community planning, regional planning, resource conservation and stewardship.

Landscape architects are actively engaged in the design and planning of residential communities, institutional complexes, commercial developments, park and recreational lands and facilities, industrial parks, urban spaces, regional and rural districts, and historic preservation and restoration projects, and the restoration and preservation of natural environments.

The range of practice opportunities for landscape architects is very broad. It includes private and public design and planning offices ranging in size from two or three to several hundred people. The size of the firm usually relates directly to its breadth: the larger the firm, the broader its project types and geographical area of practice. Large firms are often international in project scope as well as interdisciplinary in approach, including architects, engineers, interior designers, graphic designers, etc.

Historically the Penn State undergraduate program has been respected by professionals for the skills of its graduates. Since the revision of the curriculum to a 5-year BLA program, the undergraduate degree has begun to gain both from academics and professionals for educational innovations and excellence.

The faculty are committed to strive to become the finest undergraduate program in the nation. Our goal is to educate future leaders in the profession of landscape architecture. To do so, the program challenges students to be inquisitive, creative thinkers through a demanding professional curriculum that is balanced by a liberal education heavy in the humanities, natural sciences, and the arts. Students are required to read, ponder, and effectively communicate their ideas; they are required to study abroad for one semester to broaden their cultural horizons; and they are encouraged to obtain a minor in an area of their choice. These and many other changes are intended to help ensure that our graduates are creative, thoughtful, and circumspect individuals well prepared to deal with our changing world.