Accelerated Bachelor of Environmental Design

Accelerated Status Option

The Department of Landscape Architecture also offers an accelerated status option through the B.E.D. program. The accelerated status option admits a limited number of students annually and allows qualified undergraduates to complete the B.E.D. and M.L.A. in six years rather than seven years.

Applicants for the accelerated status must complete the first three years of the B.E.D. degree requirements before their senior year. Students must complete the first year of the professional degree program in their undergraduate senior year. These courses carry upper division credit and satisfy senior year B.E.D. requirements.

Accelerated status is granted on a competitive basis and does not admit any student to the graduate professional program. Separate requirements, such as letters of recommendation, a letter of interest, and other application documents, must be submitted in January of the year that students are seeking admission to the graduate program. B.E.D. graduates who have completed the accelerated status option and applied to the M.L.A. professional degree program will receive advanced standing in the M.L.A. program upon acceptance by the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Graduate School.

Application Process
Applications for the accelerated status option in the B.E.D. program must be submitted by January 15 of the year of desired entry. Admission is for fall only. The following policies and admission procedures change periodically; students should check with their adviser and the Department of Landscape Architecture for current information.

Apply to the University of Minnesota if not already a student.
Complete the first three years of the B.E.D. coursework.
Complete the accelerated status option application available from the Department of Landscape Architecture (612-625-6860).
Submit official transcripts of all coursework at the college, university, or graduate level, including coursework currently being taken. Typically, a student must have a GPA of at least 3.00 for admittance.
Submit a letter of intent describing the student's interests, strengths, skills, and experiences related to landscape architecture; landscape architecture and the interests, strengths, and skills needed to practice it as understood by the applicant; and why there is a good fit between the applicant's interests, strengths, skills, and experiences and landscape architecture (maximum of two pages).
Submit a portfolio of art or design work, environmental or design reports, photographs of three-dimensional work, slides, or similar examples of creative work. The work should convey the applicant's creative abilities and communication skills. It is strongly suggested that the portfolio be a bound 8 1/2 x 11-inch booklet. Portfolios larger than 24 x 36 inches will not be accepted. Loose materials are also unacceptable. Slides must be submitted in 8 1/2 x 11-inch transparent slide carrier pages.

Admission Considerations:
The landscape architecture faculty votes on each applicant. The applicant may be admitted to the accelerated status option or continued in the B.E.D. program. It is assumed that students who are accepted will complete their B.E.D. program in the accelerated status option track and apply to the M.L.A. program. Admission is based on the

Student's academic standing and GPA
Student's understanding of landscape architecture
Fit between the student's interests, strengths, skills, and experiences and landscape architecture
Student's potential to succeed as a practicing landscape architect as estimated by the faculty
Resource and space availability

Applicants are encouraged to visit the landscape design studios, talk to students who are in the accelerated option track and the M.L.A. program, and find out as much as they can about the profession by talking with landscape architects in their community.

Applicants will be notified of the admission decision by May 15. Successful applicants must notify the department of their intention to enter by June 15 to reserve a position in the program.

Application Information

Financial Aid
Program Plan

Career Planning