Students interested in sustainable landscape design can attend a graduate program at The Conway School of Landscape Design. The ten-month master's program covers topics such as forest ecology, geography, graphic design, municipal planning and professional ethics as related to landscape design. Students gain hands-on experience by taking on projects for local property owners who contact the school seeking site planning assistance. Applicants to the sustainable landscape design program submit undergraduate transcripts, three reference letters, essays and a resume. They must also undergo an in-person interview.
Conway School of Landscape Design
332 South Deerfield Road
Conway, MA 01341-0179
413-369-4044
csld.edu
George Washington University offers a graduate certificate and a master's degree in landscape design. Students learn about horticulture and planting and nursery standards, as well as design processes. A graduate certificate in sustainable landscapes is also available that focuses on the ways in which landscape design can help facilitate conservation of water, energy and plants. Classes for the landscape design certificate are held at GWU's professional education center and at public gardens in the Washington, D.C. area, such as the US National Arboretum. Courses cover topics such as plant science, site engineering and planting design. Students also complete a set of working drawings as a final project which is reviewed by professional landscape architects. In order to earn the master's degree, students complete the certificates in both landscape design and sustainable landscapes. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered for admission to the certificate program.
The George Washington University
3601 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22201
202-973-1130
nearyou.gwu.edu
Aspiring interior designers can earn a professional bachelor of fine arts degree at the New York School of Interior Design that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, or CIDA. Graduates of the bachelor's interior design program are eligible to take the qualifying exam required in most states for certification as an interior designer. The degree can be completed full-time or part-time and students can transfer courses from an associate's degree program in interior design. The curriculum includes courses in residential design, textiles, residential design, architecture, and construction methods. Students gain professional practice experience and submit a thesis prior to graduating from the interior design program. Applicants submit high school or prior college transcripts, an essay, two recommendations and SAT scores if they graduated from high school in the five years prior to applying. BFA students must also submit a portfolio of 10 to 15 pieces of artwork for review.
New York School of Interior Design
170 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
212-472-1500
nysid.edu
UK-based Rhodec International offers a professional diploma in Interior Design that can be completed anywhere in the world via distance learning. The diploma can be completed in three years and covers topics such as materials, interior design history, color, furniture and interior construction. Students complete a final project at the culmination of the course which can be used when applying for interior design jobs after graduation. Prospective students can view courses materials online prior to enrolling in the program and can start on the diploma at any time during the year. They communicate with their teachers via phone and e-mail. Rhodec notes that students are expected to become proficient in freehand drawing but also have the opportunity to learn computer aided design or CAD.
Rhodec International
35 East Street
Brighton BN1 1HL, UK
44-0-1273-327476
rhodec.org