UGA College of Environment and Design

UGA College of Environment and Design We offer degree programs in Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, and Urban Planning & Design. https://t.uga.edu/6Sj

The Ph.D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmVC7LHseOU

Landscape Architecture has been taught at UGA since 1928, and has offered a graduate program since 1954. The undergraduate program has been accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects since 1952 (https://t.uga.edu/6Sm), as has the graduate program since 1954 (https://t.uga.edu/6Sh). The landscape architecture programs frequently hold nati

onal rankings, usually within the top 5 programs in the United States, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Historic Preservation graduate program within the College is also very highly regarded on a national level through the National Trust, and offers only one of two programs in the United States for a joint Juris Doctorate. The curriculum is recognized in Georgia as the first of it’s kind, with courses being offered since 1973, and its graduate program officially forming in 1982. https://t.uga.edu/6Si

The Urban Planning & Design graduate program accepted its first students in the fall of 2009. It is a professional graduate program with an emphasis on a studio-based integrative planning process grounded in environmental and ecological principles. in Environmental Design and Planning, the newest program in the College, is an advanced doctoral degree, which will prepare students to propose and conduct research to support the design, planning, and management of the natural, cultural, and built environment though the integration of research methods and theories, innovative technologies, design and problem solving and research-driven solutions. https://t.uga.edu/6Sk

Most unique to the College is the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program, which was the first of its kind to be established in the United States in 1983. https://t.uga.edu/6Sl

There are certificates offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, often in compliment and with value enhancement to other degrees. The faculty for the Certificate are all volunteer in capacity, and include a wealth of disciplines across UGA from such areas as botany, biology, forestry, ecology, soil science and marine science, as well as landscape architecture, business, sociology, law, journalism, the arts and other non-science areas and private industry. Three minors are now available in the College of Environment and Design: https://t.uga.edu/6Sn

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
LANDSCAPE STUDIES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION

We can't believe we're already a month into summer! While we wait for those on summer break to return, we're reading thi...
06/17/2026

We can't believe we're already a month into summer!

While we wait for those on summer break to return, we're reading this featured piece from the 2026 Georgia Landscape Magazine and dreaming of the day when studios are back in full swing. Read online at https://loom.ly/ww0wcds.

Story by Jordan Knight, illustrations by Paige Garvin.

This spring, PhD candidate Shweta Vardia completed a two-week research residency at the Getty Research Institute in Los ...
06/10/2026

This spring, PhD candidate Shweta Vardia completed a two-week research residency at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles through the Getty Library Research Grant. The grant gave Vardia unparalleled access to collections in the Getty Library, one of the the world's most comprehensive art historical research libraries.

Swipe to read more about Vardia's experience at the Getty Research Center.

🗺️From coast to coast, the CED alumni network continues to grow stronger!Over the past week, we were excited to connect ...
06/08/2026

🗺️From coast to coast, the CED alumni network continues to grow stronger!

Over the past week, we were excited to connect with alumni and friends at two special gatherings—one in Raleigh during the SERC conference and another in Seattle as part of our West Coast Field Trip. These events provided wonderful opportunities to reconnect, share updates from the CED, and celebrate the impact our alumni are making in communities across the country.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared stories, and strengthened the connections that make the CED community so special. We loved seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and bringing a little bit of Athens to both coasts.

We look forward to seeing you at a future CED event!

Looking for a beach read? We have the magazine for you!Check out this featured story from the Georgia Landscape Magazine...
06/05/2026

Looking for a beach read? We have the magazine for you!

Check out this featured story from the Georgia Landscape Magazine's latest edition. Who knows– you just might learn to love bricks a little more!

Story by Charles Rule and illustrations by Annie Barker. Read online at https://loom.ly/0_XlCXc.

06/03/2026

We wish we were on the coast right now! 🌊⛵️

While ’ field sketching and watercolor course wraps up their maymester trip to Jekyll Island, we’re taking a look at some of the work from last summer’s trip! Come see this student work on display at the Jackson Street Building throughout the summer.

Over the past two years, severe weather events have gradually removed five canopy trees in the Founders Memorial Garden'...
05/29/2026

Over the past two years, severe weather events have gradually removed five canopy trees in the Founders Memorial Garden's North Arboretum, leaving room for new planting possibilities.

This spring, MLA students in Professor Brad Davis' LAND 6450 Plants for Temperate Landscapes Class designed new possibilities for the North Arbor, blending new with old in seamless designs. Working in the same space, each design is unique in its style, plantings and character. Swipe to see some of the projects, and get a taste of how the FMG is used as a living classroom for CED students.

Want to support the Founders Memorial Garden? Give to the garden at https://loom.ly/6t4Vv4I.

Graduate Spotlight! This spring, recent graduate Kade Godwin, BLA '26, participated in his third National Collegiate Lan...
05/21/2026

Graduate Spotlight! This spring, recent graduate Kade Godwin, BLA '26, participated in his third National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Michigan State University. This year, at the competition's 50th anniversary, Godwin placed 24th overall out of 726 students, and brought home 2nd place in Interior Landscape Design. Godwin also competed in 2024 in Utah, and 2025 in Colorado.

"There are several Landscape Architecture-specific events that I would absolutely recommend to CED students to showcase their skills," said Godwin. "I’d also highly encourage CED students to compete in as many other competitive events as possible, as it will only bolster the knowledge and skills that can be taken into the design field."

Congratulations Kade!

The College of Environment and Design is pleased to share that two faculty members have received Fulbright U.S. Scholar ...
05/18/2026

The College of Environment and Design is pleased to share that two faculty members have received Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Awards for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Sonia Hirt, Dean and Hughes Professor in Landscape Architecture and Planning, has received a U.S. Scholar Award to Bulgaria. Katherine Melcher, Castro Professor, has received a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award in design to Brazil.

Join us in congratulating them on this accomplishment, and read more about their awards at https://loom.ly/E92OFSk

Ring the Bell! You're a CED alum! Class of 2026, we had the best time celebrating you at CED Convocation last week. Whil...
05/15/2026

Ring the Bell! You're a CED alum!

Class of 2026, we had the best time celebrating you at CED Convocation last week. While we will miss you dearly, we know you will continue to do great things.

View the full convocation photo gallery at https://loom.ly/quM2PmU.

Address

285 S Jackson Street
Athens, GA
30602

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