Interdisciplinary design education is becoming more important as design disciplines need various perspectives and solutions. However, only a limited amount of research has been done in regard to interdisciplinary design education. The goal of this study is to begin to answer the question about how designers and researchers develop and improve interdisciplinary design educational skills and methods. This study investigates the current interdisciplinary efforts and structures of design curriculum in the American higher educational system and will focus on two disciplines, architecture and landscape architecture. Both disciplines deal with design issues affecting the physical environment and frequently collaborate in professional settings. This study does not deal directly with other environmental design majors, such as urban design, planning, architectural engineering, and historic preservation. However, some of the results and findings may also benefit these environmental educational programs. The centerpiece of design education is the design studio (Glasser 250). In the studio, students integrate their knowledge of theory and technology in the pursuit of design solutions. In addition, the design studio could be the major place for collaborative learning. Therefore, the focus of this study is to document and understand the presence or absence of interdisciplinary learning in architecture and landscape architecture studios and to identify and evaluate the factors that promote and/or prevent interdisciplinary learning in this academic setting. This study proposes to address these questions through * the review of literature on interdisciplinary concepts, programs, approaches, and applications. * the exploration of current interdisciplinary programs in the United States of architecture and landscape architecture. * the investigation of existing interdisciplinary programs in the United States, through a preliminary and a primary questionnaire for design faculty. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]