According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, accreditation is a non-governmental, voluntary system of self-regulation. Its core is the concept of self-evaluation. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accreditation process evaluates each program on the basis of its stated objectives and compliance to externally mandated minimum standards. The program conducts a self-study to evaluate how well it is meeting its educational goals. LAAB then provides an independent assessment, which determines if a program meets accreditation requirements. Programs leading to first professional degrees at the bachelor's or master's levels in the United States are eligible to apply for accreditation from LAAB. 

The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) develops and promulgates the accreditation standards, rules and procedures for conducting the accreditation process. LAAB is vested with its authority by the ASLA Board of Trustees.

LAAB is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the official accrediting body for first professional programs in landscape architecture. LAAB is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). CHEA reviews LAAB accreditation standards and procedures to ensure that the policies and procedures meet proper standards.

The official scope of LAAB accreditation is "...first professional programs at the bachelor's or master's level." Others, such as pre professional and advanced professional programs, lie outside LAAB's scope. LAAB reviews eligible programs in the United States and its territories.

The Program

The Department of Landscape Architecture at North Dakota State University offers a first professional degree, the Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.). You may elect to receive a pre-professional Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in environmental design degree at the end of four years, useful for those who want to enter graduate programs. The program is one of approximately 60 professional programs in landscape architecture in the United States and Canada that are accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).

Career Development Information

• NDSU Career Center

• Studio Culture: Stories and Interpretations

• NCARB – The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

• Architectural Experience Program (AXP) Guidelines

• AIA – The American Institute of Architects

• NAAB – National Architectural Accrediting Board

• AIAS – American Institute of Architecture Students

• ACSA – Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

About CLARB + Pass Rates for the Landscape Architecture Registration Exam (LARE)

The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) works to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare by establishing and promoting professional licensure standards. Our members are the licensure boards across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Each section of the exam is passed or failed independently of the other sections. Candidates retain credit for sections passed and are only required to retake failed sections unless the jurisdiction has a time limit restriction for completing the exam. 

In most jurisdictions, candidates can begin the exam process immediately after graduation. Research suggests candidates have greater success on Sections 1 & 2 when taken closer to graduation. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to pass on your first attempt. So start as soon as you graduate.

https://www.clarb.org/take-the-exam/view-exam-results-pass-rates