The trend of having more retirees than new professionals looks to continue for the near future, but professional associations are working to change it.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) are among many that have comprehensive educational programs and websites to attract and educate prospective professionals in their disciple. In many instances, the organizations also attempt to educate the general public on the tasks and accomplishments of their current disciplinary professionals.

ASLA¹ and CSLA²
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association representing landscape architects. It has grown to more than 16,500 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The ASLA promotes the profession of landscape architecture and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship.

The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) was founded in 1934. By this time, landscape architects had been active in all major centers across Canada, particularly in the design and planning of parks, open spaces, public institutions, roadways, neighborhoods and communities.

Landscape architecture is a profession that is broad and diverse in scale and scope. Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of natural and built environments through science and design.

Landscape architects receive training in site design, historic preservation, and planning, as well as in technical and scientific areas such as grading, drainage, horticulture, and environmental sciences. With this diverse background, landscape architects possess a unique blend of abilities to allow them to help families, communities, and businesses to address important local, regional, and national priorities.

In 2004, the average salary in the United States for entry-level landscape architects was $34,700, meanwhile, the salary of practitioners was $74,644.

Licensing Requirements
At present, forty-seven states license landscape architects. There are two different types of mandated licensing known as “title acts” and “practice acts.” In states with “title acts,” no one without a license may call him or herself a landscape architect. Under the provisions of “practice acts,” no one without a license may perform the work of a landscape architect. Each state sets its own requirements for registration, but all require candidates to pass a national examination (the Landscape Architect Registration Examination, or LARE).

Currently, there are over 80 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada that offer undergraduate and/or graduate degree in landscape architecture. The ASLA.org website lists and profiles the institutions that offer accredited programs.

ASCE³
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 137,500 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide, and is America’s oldest national engineering society.

Civil engineering is about community service, development, and improvement. It involves the conception, planning, design, construction, and operation of facilities essential to modern life, ranging from transit systems to offshore structures to space satellites. Civil engineers are problem solvers, meeting the challenges of pollution, traffic congestion, drinking water and energy needs, urban redevelopment, and community planning.

Today, civil engineers are in the forefront of technology. They are the leading users of sophisticated high-tech products - applying the very latest concepts in computer-aided design (CAD) during design, construction, project scheduling, and cost control.

ASCE addresses a wide variety of issues affecting the professional practice of civil engineering today including licensure, ethics, business practices, career development, community service, leadership and management.

Licensing Requirements
To become a licensed civil engineer (professional engineer), you must complete the requirements for professional licensure established by the state or territories in which you plan to practice. This requires a combination of education, experience, and the successful completion of at least two exams. Each individual state and/or territory maintains updated information regarding specific licensing requirements.

Most programs require at least four years of study for the civil engineering bachelor’s degree. Some offer a five-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree after the fourth year, and a master’s degree after the fifth. Many schools also offer a five-year cooperative study program in which you may alternate periods of engineering study with related employment. This way, you can earn a good part of your tuition costs and get valuable first-hand experience. A typical four-year program consists of: one year of mathematics and basic sciences; one year of engineering science and analysis; one year of engineering theory and design; and one year that includes social sciences, humanities, communications, ethics and professionalism, along with electives which complement your overall education.

CMAA⁴
CMAA is a national industry association whose mission is “to promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process.” Founded in 1982 in response to the ever-increasing need of owners to manage their projects, CMAA is the only organization in North America dedicated exclusively to the interests of professional construction management/program management. CMAA’s membership includes twenty-five regional chapters and more than 3,000 individuals, firms, and agencies throughout the country. CMAA represents a broad spectrum of the design and construction industry, including CM practitioners, public and private owners, design professionals, contractors, attorneys, insurers, services consultants, educators, and students throughout the United States and internationally.

Construction management (CM) evolved as a professional practice distinct from design and construction in the early 1960’s in response to increasing complexities in the construction industry. Highly sophisticated construction systems led to the specialization of both design and construction professionals. Additionally, increasing regulatory mandates, litigation, and other risks created a need for a new professional to be an advocate for the owner and bridge the gap between the owner, designer, and contractor. Today, CM is well established and recognized around the world as an essential discipline within the construction profession.

Construction management is a professional service that applies effective management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project from inception to completion for the purpose of controlling time, cost, and quality. CM is a discipline and management system specifically created to promote the successful execution of capital projects for owners. These projects can be highly complex. Few owners maintain the staff expertise or personnel necessary to deal with the responsibilities involved in the management of major projects.

Comprehensive management of every stage of the project, beginning with the original concept and project definition, yields the greatest possible benefit to owners from construction management. As a professional service, CM is effective with all contracting methods and delivery systems.

CMAA is a member of the American Council for Construction Education which accredits construction education programs in colleges and universities that request its evaluation and meet its standards and criteria. Currently there are 60 accredited construction management programs throughout the United States. SLDT

1 ASLA http://www.asla.org
2 CSLA http://www.csla.ca
3 ASCE http://www.asce.org
4 CMAA http://cmaanet.org