Accreditation | The Design School

The Design School offers accredited degree programs in all of our core disciplines.

Architecture

In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year term, an eight-year term with conditions, or a two-year term of continuing accreditation, or a three-year term of initial accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established education standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a non-accredited undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the non-accredited degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The Design School in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts offers the following NAAB-accredited degree program in two learning modalities, in-person and online:

Master of Architecture, 2-year track (pre-professional degree + 48 graduate credits)
Master of Architecture, 3-year track (non-pre-professional degree + 72 graduate credits)

Next accreditation visit: 2023
Accredited since: 1985

NAAB conditions and procedures

The most recent versions of the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation and NAAB Procedures for Accreditation are available to all students, parents and faculty via the following links:

Public access to Architectural Program Reports (APR) and Visiting Team Reports (VTR)

Accreditation materials are available to all students, parents and faculty at:

NAAB annual statistical reports

NAAB interim progress reports

Architect Registration Examination pass rates

The Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) pass rates are available to all students, parents and faculty at the following links:

Career development information

The resources provided below are valuable sources of information on the larger context of architecture education and the career pathways available to graduates of accredited degree programs.

Admission and advising

Admission and advising information is available to all students, parents and faculty via the following links:

Student financial information

Student financial information is available to all students, parents and faculty via the following links:

Industrial design

The undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Industrial Design at Arizona State University have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 2001.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is composed of schools and individuals representing the highest traditions and aims in the education of the artist and designer. These members have proven, by the fact of their membership and activity in the organization, their deep interest in fostering high standards for art and design education.

For more information, please visit the NASAD website.

Interior design

The undergraduate BSD in interior design program and the graduate Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) program currently hold accreditation with the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

CIDA-accredited programs assure the public that interior design education prepares students to be responsible, well-informed, skilled professionals who make beautiful, safe, and comfortable spaces that also respect the earth and its resources.

For more information please visit the CIDA website.

Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) Public Information Policy

LAAB accredited programs are required to provide reliable information to the public on their performance, including student achievement as determined by the institution or program. This information is intended to help potential students make informed application decisions.

Mission statement

The mission of the landscape architecture program is to advance knowledge and understanding of the creative planning, design, and management of the landscape by providing challenging and relevant educational experiences. The program emphasizes sustainability and other challenges of the 21st century through the design of healthy, equitable, safe, and resilient environments. Our purpose is to facilitate positive change and prepare students for professional practice, advanced study, and leadership in landscape architecture.

Objectives

The landscape architecture program educational objectives are:

To prepare students for diverse careers in professional practice related to the design and stewardship of urban ecosystems by cultivating competencies in design, critical thinking, research and communication skills.
To develop students’ research skills, knowledge base, and understanding of process and methodologies.
To provide students with the opportunities to engage in projects relevant to urban landscapes, sustainability, and resilience.
To encourage students to be active members of the professional community.
To ground learning in community-oriented and place-based creative and research projects.
To leverage learning opportunities between landscape architecture, urban design, and environmental design.

Educational Experiences

For more information on the student educational experience and opportunities to study landscape architecture, see the links below for the:

Accreditation status

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) and three-year First-Professional Master’s Degree (MLA) Programs at Arizona State University are accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).

The BSLA Program and the MLA Program were both last accredited in 2020 and are scheduled for re-accreditation in the Spring of 2026. Visit the LAAB website for more information.

Professional licensure is governed by each state licensing board. More information on licensure can be found on the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) website.

Status of licensed faculty

The landscape architecture profession is recognized and regulated through licensure issued by each state. Landscape architects are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Visit the ASLA website to learn more about licensure.

In academic year 2021-2022, there are nine licensed faculty out of a total of 14 full-time and part-time combined faculty registered actively in various states (e.g., Arizona, California, Illinois) who support either or both Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) programs.

Student achievement

Student achievements are recognized through the following public recognition on an annual basis and celebrated each April during World Landscape Architecture Month:

Arizona ASLA Student Honor and Merit Awards
Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Olmsted Scholar and Student Scholarships
Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Fountain Scholar and Student Awards
Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society – Alpha Zeta Chapter

Costs and financial resources for a full time student

Arizona State University Net Cost Calculator provides graduate applicants estimated net price information (defined as estimated cost of attendance – including tuition and required fees, books and supplies, and other related expenses – minus estimated grant and scholarship aid) to current and prospective students.

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) students report spending an average of $800 on books, supplies, printing, etc. per year.

Scholarships are available for both BSLA and MLA students in various amount through ASU as well as the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (HIDA).

Graduate Teaching Assistant and Grader positions are available for MLA students only but not guaranteed. Teaching Assistant positions reduce tuition to half of an in-state resident rate plus around a $5,000 stipend. Graders are compensated by hourly work performed, not including tuition remission.

Browse other funding opportunities are available to help students pay for conferences/travel related to their program of study.

Number of degrees awarded per year

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA):
2021 - 23
2020 - 28
2019 - 22
2018 - 17
2017 - 28
2016 - 23
2015 - 21
2014 - 28

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA):
2021 - 3
2020 - 3
2019 - 3
2018 - N/A
2017 - 7
2016 - 5
2015 - 6
2014 - 8

Student graduation rates

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA)
The percentage of students with timely graduation (students graduating within 6 years or less).

2021 - 100%
2020 - 100%
2019 - 100%
2018 - 100%
2017 - 100%

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The percentage of students with timely graduation (students graduating within 4 years or less).

2021 - 100%
2020 - 100%
2019 - 100%
2018 - N/A
2017 - 100%
2016 - 100%
2015 - 86%
2014 - 100%

Student retention rates

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA)
The percentage of degree seeking BSLA students enrolled in the Fall 2nd and 3rd year curriculum and return in Fall 3rd and 4th year curriculum.

2021 - 85%
2020 - 87%
2018/19 - 96%
2017/18 - 91%
2016/17 - 93%

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The percentage of MLA students enrolled in the program in the Fall 1st year of 2-year MLA curriculum and return in Fall 2nd year curriculum.

2021 - 75%
2020 - 88%
2018/19 - 100%
2017/18 - N/A
2016/17 - 100%

Student Creative Career Services

Creative Career Services at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts provide resources for career development including a platform for job search and managing internship programs.

Post-graduation employment information is currently not accessible publicly.

Visual Communication Design

The undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Visual Communication Design at Arizona State University have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 2001.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is composed of schools and individuals representing the highest traditions and aims in the education of the artist and designer. These members have proven, by the fact of their membership and activity in the organization, their deep interest in fostering high standards for art and design education.

For more information, please visit the NASAD website.