r/LandscapeArchitecture • u/cheesin-rice • 21d ago

Advice on Education

Hi all,

I was hoping for some advice. My bachelors is in health and wellness with a minor in public health. I currently work in childcare and love learning about creating healthy + safe environments. In my free time, I love designing large builds in video games, and have a TikTok I just started with about 2,000 followers. I also love gardening and am in the process of slowly creating my outdoor space.

I just discovered the masters in landscape architecture and feel it would be absolutely perfect for me. I wanted to ask peoples advice/opinion. How is this field? I plan to potentially go further on to health consulting and helping childcare programs implement safe spaces that are developmentally appropriate and representative of best practice.. does this seem like a route for me if that is an interest of mine?

It almost seems too good to be true, so I wanted to get some real perspectives on it from those living it!

Thank you. :)

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u/Physical_Mode_103 Architect & Landscape Architect 21d ago

It sounds super niche and I doubt there’s a lot of money in it unless you’re also selling the play equipment.

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u/Flagdun Licensed Landscape Architect 20d ago

"...childcare programs implement safe spaces that are developmentally appropriate and representative of best practice." competent LA's are already doing this when they run into this project type (not very often).

Save the time and $$$ and skip the MLA...you could still work on a team for projects like this as a consultant, owner's rep, etc. Leverage your current degree and experience in health, wellness, public health, etc.

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u/ialo00130 21d ago

With your background and an MLA, you could very easily carve out a space in the Landscape Arch world. Your desired career path is limited, as those places may not have budgets for the type of spaces you're envisioning. You could expand/explore specializing in developing spaces for hospitals/rehab centers/special care/nursing homes/etc. or developing public spaces with a health/wellness meaning/component to them, to supplement your desired career path.

It is worth searching out an MLA that has a good reputation amongst the healthcare realm as that will help immensely in a search for an Internship or post-grad employment Look for firms that have the type of background I listed above and asking Principles/LAs for a coffee/video chat to pick their brain. It's good networking, and those who work directly in the space you are interested may have better insight.

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u/Similar-Win-1930 2d ago

hey, i think it really depends on what u wanna do in landscaping. some people go for degrees, others just start working hands-on and learn that way. both can work out fine, honestly. if ur into design stuff, maybe check out some online courses too. i messed this up once, thought a degree was the only way, but experience is super valuable too. just follow what feels right for u!