West Virginia University is home to one of the best undergraduate landscape architecture programs in the United States, according to a recent survey conducted by the Design Futures Council.

WVU ’s landscape architecture program, housed in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, ranked 13th in the nation and fourth in the eastern states.

The Council released the findings in its seventh annual Design Intelligence Survey of America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools 2006.

Design Intelligence’s landscape architecture study ranks undergraduate and graduate landscape architecture programs. Survey participants included leading United States landscape architecture firms as well as public sector practitioners.

The surveys were targeted to individuals with direct experience hiring and evaluating the performance of graduates. Participants were asked to indicate which schools produced the best prepared graduates.

We are very proud of this acknowledgement of the quality of graduates coming out of the West Virginia University Landscape Architecture Program,said Steven McBride, associate professor of landscape architecture and director of the program.It is very gratifying to receive recognition of the work that we do from the profession.

WVU offers the state’s only landscape architecture program that is accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects. The four-year course of study combines theory, intensive design studio experiences, and a wide variety of opportunities for hands-on activities.

Approximately 165 students are enrolled in the program.