CED Ranks in Top Tier for Landscape Architecture Again

Dean Sonia Hirt, Brad Davis, BLA program coordinator, Georgia Harrison, MLA program coordinator, and Associate Dean David Spooner 

The UGA College of Environment and Design (CED) has just been ranked number #4 in the nation for its Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program and number #8 for its Master of Landscape Architecture program. The annual rankings are created by Design Intelligence magazine which invites professionals to vote for schools most admired for a combination of faculty, programs, culture, and student preparation for the profession. There are over 50 graduate programs in Landscape Architecture in the U.S. and 42 undergraduate programs. Design Intelligence is the only national professional source of rankings for Landscape Architecture and related design fields.

“Well, clearly, this is exciting news for us. Overall we have hovered in the top five and top ten nationally for many years, but seeing us at #1 and #2 in some specific categories is especially gratifying. Congratulations to the faculty, staff, and students who make this such a dynamic institution,” said Dr. Sonia Hirt, dean and Hughes Professor in Landscape Architecture and Planning.

This year, the UGA CED scored in the top five rankings in all of the focus categories except one. In the Healthy Built Environments Category, the BLA program ranked #1 in the nation, the MLA program, #4. The BLA program ranked #2 in seven other categories, including Construction Materials, Design Technologies, Engineering Fundamentals, Interdisciplinary Studies, Project Planning and Management, Research, Practice Management, and Transdisciplinary Collaboration. The MLA program ranked in the top five in eleven out of twelve focus categories.

Established in 1994, Design Intelligence is an independent company that assists firms and organizations in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction through the Design Futures Council by offering leadership events and networking, conducting public and privately commissioned studies, and publishing practical research.

These rankings are a vital part of the college’s recruitment program in addition to being a source of inspiration for students, faculty, and staff.