Cal Poly Pomona’s architecture and landscape architecture programs are among the nation’s best, according to a newly released report.

The university’s undergraduate landscape architecture program was ranked 10th nationally by DesignIntelligence, a bimonthly report published by the Design Futures Council. It was one of only two programs in California to make into the Top 15 list, the other being Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The undergraduate program stacked up even higher among those in the Western United States, being ranked second.

The graduate landscape architecture program was ranked 15th nationally.

“Achieving top-10 status in the most commonly cited design program ranking tool, Design Intelligence, is a significant accomplishment for the department,” says Lee-Ann Milburn, chair of the landscape architecture department. “It demonstrates that they appreciate the non-traditional teaching tools and approaches we’ve been implementing, our interdisciplinary partnerships, and the diversity of skills and approaches embraced by our students.”

The architecture program performed highly as well. Undergraduate architecture was ranked 16th nationally and ranked fifth in the West. The Master of Interior Architecture program offered collaboratively by Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA Extension was tied for fourth in the West with the program at Cal State Long Beach.

Sarah Lorenzen, chair of the architecture department, said the rankings reflect the program’s commitment to hands-on education that covers a broad range of issues.

“We’re really known as graduating students that have a very comprehensive education,” she says.

The recognition is likely to give students a boost as they launch their careers, she says.

“It helps our students get jobs because of the reputation of the program, which is well respected by the profession,” Lorenzen says.” That’s very important to us.”