[curly]

I was able to take and pass the first 2 lare sections based on my completion of an AA in landscape architecture in my state. For me it was the gateway to be accepted into an MLA program (because my previous gpa from my bachelor’s degree was too low), gain experience and qualify to take sections 3 and 4. I’m sitting for section 4 in 10 days, then the CA specific exam (CSE).

I envision a model where there are ‘accredited’ AA degrees that have ‘articulations’ with regional BLA programs. The AA program could be developed such that the curriculum matches the 4-5 year program, like the one I went through. No quality lost… One big factor with this strategy is that students can save big by doing their first two years at home. Another is that students can get contextually relevant experience with projects in their ‘home town’ which they may care deeply about and want to improve through cutting edge landscape architecture practices.

[curly]

After posting links from various landarch, sustainable design and disc golf forums/blogs to my thesis, the positive response (mostly the disc golf community) prompted me to self publish and apply to present at the 2014 Denver ASLA Conference (awaiting decision).

I’ll be removing the thesis from issuu.com (where it was linked to from this discussion). Worldwide it received over 1000 reads (nearly 4K impressions) in 2 months, with ‘reads’ from more than 2 dozen countries & 5 continents (missing S. America/Antarctica). Calico’s comment above is ironic… Most of the ‘fluff’ he refers to was my own doing, not my committee. And with it, I believe paints a fairly complete assessment of the nature of the disc golf phenomenon. I’ve received several comments about various minutiae being of interest to disc golf enthusiasts/activists. The intent: whatever aspect of disc golf may intrigue you, it can be woven into the bigger picture for a more complete understanding of a grassroots cultural phenomenon. By publishing the entire work, I leave open the opportunity to publish 20% or less of content in academic Journals…

So, I’ve edited the complete thesis only for 2-page formatting, stray grammatical/formatting errors, front/back covers and a new foreword. Original content has not been altered in any way. And I’ve taken Calico’s advice to self-publish outside of academia for the widest possible audience. My thesis “Inscribing Lifestyle…” (edited as described above) is now available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, a Norwegian online bookseller and others, but to get a nice discount you can visit my print-on-demand publisher/distributor: 

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/disc_golf (cut n paste) or just search “disc golf” from Lulu.com bookstore. 

A DISC GOLF REVOLUTION IS UPON US!

[curly]

I’m glad you took the extra steps with your digits to view my thesis. I have been considering condensing my findings down to about 5 pages to first publish in a cool Sport & Society Journal and then also to target the general public. As you might guess I’ve spent a lot of time with this material and sort of dread picking through it again to extract the essentials. But I’m sure it would come quickly once I start. Thanks for your feedback Calico! Attached is a more lay-person palatable piece I did on disc golf and tree health.

[curly]

I couldn’t get into an accredited program with my low GPA from undergrad: 2.81, so I had to prove myself through recent achievements. I should only need 1 year of experience in Nevada with my 5 years qualified education credits by the time I finish my MLA, of which I already am halfway done with. Actually I got a lot out of the AA program. Check it out if you like:

http://www.tmcc.edu/catalog/1112/pdf/worksheets/landscape_arch_deg_aa.pdf#search=“landscape%20architecture”

They make it look like you could do it in two years without having the general ed stuff, but this is totally unrealistic as the design classes are very time intensive, and people work… 

The architecture students design side by side in studio with landscape students. The Fundamentals of Design studios had us doing 5-6 design problems over the semester; all hand graphics, boards, models, presentations and often professional juries. The program director’s motto was “Design is Design is Design” which I agree with. The Design With Nature and Climate courses had us contextualizing the sites we designed for politically and ecologically for real sites in the region. The program begins with AAD100 which required students to study and write about the path to licensure for various design professions. The director of the program was a former president of CLARB. This is definitely a unique program but I think my experience there made me realize how much practical, theoretical and design experience you can get in just two years for less than $2000/year tuition; accessibility!

I certainly like the idea of making BLA/BSLAs more affordable at state schools, but for California at least, tuition is going nowhere but up and fast.

[curly]

The AA program you gave the link to leans more towards “landscape design” skills. I graduated from an AA program in Reno directed by an ASLA fellow, with a FAIA and other practicing LA’s as instructors. The program takes 3 years from scratch but I finished in 2 because I already had my BA.  I’m now in an accredited 3-year MLA program and feel a lot of the studio design and sustainable land planning emphasized at community college was BETTER than the accredited program I am in, in many ways (but not all). The AA degree I received had an ‘articulation’ created with it to seamlessly enter an accredited BLA program as a Junior, but I wanted a Masters.

The AA degree in Reno is also recognized by the NV State Board, which allowed me to take sections A & B of the LARE; of which I passed both, helped very much by the community college program. Unfortunately, strong AA programs in Landscape Architecture do not have an accreditation process, but they should! Community colleges are the perfect gateway to professional OPTIONS in landscape architecture; work, transfer schools, licensure. I felt strongly that my BA in Environmental Analysis & Design and my AA in Landscape Architecture (legitimately not landscape design) qualified me to begin my MLA program in the second year with students who have accredited BLA/BSLAs. But no dice, so I am completing an ‘extra’ 4 quarters to round out my education. ASLA has expressed interest in accrediting community college programs…

We need affordable access for a broader diversity of people to the profession with recognized AA programs that develop articulations in line with the curriculum of in-state Universities with accredited programs! Bringing legit LA programs to community colleges can only help the profession by making students aware of opportunities in the field at a low cost, and helping to spread the word about what landscape architects do….

[curly]

I am a second year MLA student at Cal Poly. Its still by far the cheapest MLA in Cali and there are several several scholarships every year you can compete for if your work stands out. Cal Poly just got re-accredited for another six years, so your looking good there. If you haven’t already, go to the department webiste: http://www.csupomona.edu/~la/mla.html  …some good basic info.  We have a new department chair (since summer 2010). She has been working to revamp the department including work on alumni outreach and improving library resources. Also its the only program in Cali that has both MLA and BSLA accredited programs together. Winter and spring quarters of first year you get to work with 3rd year undergrads… pretty cool, good networking, BIG program…..I’ve also gotten involved with the ENV Council, and ASLA student clubs which is also good networking and opportunity to work collaboratively on projects outside the curriculum. I also got involved in subsurface magazine (student zine since 2008/ won an ASLA award) check it out: 

http://issuu.com/subsurface/docs/2011_issue4  (right now its mostly grads, but started out as an undergrad project)

Lots of interdisciplinary opportunities at Pomona with the ENV college and other University colleges if you’re motivated. First 4 quarter year is a bear! And doesn’t get much easier… lots of research, writing and report-making in this program to prepare you for the 606 project….. Not a lot of graphic design training, but a lot of learning on the fly…

There is tons of opportunity in this program, but like any its what you make of it. The MLA curriculum does not directly interact with Lyle Center (to my chagrin when I began the program), but much of our studies are closely related to John T. Lyle’s approach to ‘ecoystematic’ and ‘human eco-systematic’ design which are still highly regarded in the field and inform the unique 606 group thesis project in which 4 students serve a real client to create a regional vision plan. Students write proposals in 2nd year. The Lyle Center also welcomes design/build project proposals from all students especially when they are interdisciplinary and yes, you can live there. Dr. Kyle Brown, the director of Lyle Center is a former Landscape Arch prof and still involved with the department…. Contact Susan Mulley PhD, Asst. Professor of LA if you want a tour or to sit in on a class: sjmulley@gmail.com

One of the biggest strengths of the program is the range of local, experienced part-time and adjunct faculty you will experience over 3 years; Jessica Hall, an expert in urban stream/river restoration taught us LA602 Natural Processes Design Studio this past quarter for example…..

Actually, even better than the faculty is students with a range of backgrounds that you will spend 3 years of your life with…… 

As for things seeming abandoned during your visit, it was the end of finals week. Most every one has cleared out by then…. it is very much a commuter school. Agian, contact Susan Mulley, She’d be happy to show you around….

[Author]

Posts