The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated landscape architecture as a STEM degree program. Among other benefits, the inclusion of landscape architecture on the DHS STEM list allows an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives a  landscape architecture degree to be eligible to apply for a STEM OPT extension.

The patent for concrete floating vessels granted to Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture Jake Boswell, landscape alumnus Marty Koelsch (BSLA ’18), and Assistant Professor of Civil Environmental and Geodetic Engineering Lisa Burris was featured as an exemplary STEM project in the ASLA’s application for STEM designation.

“Landscape architecture applies science, technology, cutting edge research, and engineering principles, to design healthy communities, active transportation projects, campuses and parks. We help communities adapt to climate driven extreme weather and support biodiversity,” said Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO of ASLA. “The infrastructure challenges in municipalities across the country are enormous —landscape architects bring transformative solutions. Today’s decision will advance landscape architecture education and practice, and that is great for America and the global community.”

Landscape architecture programs are pioneering some of the most innovative research and developing new technologies - from using artificial intelligence for urban agriculture, to urban planning for autonomous vehicles; to hydraulic modeling, robotic fabrication, and augmented reality for water bodies, and more.

Read more at the American Society of Landscape Architects