SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING DIPLOMA
Program Course Requirements
 
First Year - Fall Semester (17 credits)
HORT 1104  Plant Science, 4 cr
HORT 1106  Applied Plant Science Lab, 2 cr
HORT 2165  Landscape Design, 4 cr
HORT 2150 Retaining Wall Construction, 4 cr OR HORT 2155  Deck, Patio, and Pond Construction, 4 cr
General Education, 3 cr

First Year - Spring Semester (15 credits)
HORT 1103*  Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, 4 cr
HORT 1180   Sustainable Landscaping, 3 cr
HORT 1196   Sustainable Greenhouse Management, 4 cr
HORT 2180*  Computer Assisted Landscape Design, 4 cr

Second Year - Fall Semester (15 credits)
HORT 1113  Annuals and Perennials, 4 cr
HORT 2140  Arboriculture, 4 cr
HORT 1122  Local Food Production, 3 cr
HORT 2150  Retaining Wall Construction, 4 cr OR HORT 2155  Deck, Patio, and Pond Construction, 4 cr

Second Year - Spring Semester (15 credits)
HORT 1150  Turf Management, 3 cr
HORT 2116  Integrated Pest Management, 4 cr
HORT 2170*  Advanced Landscape Design, 4 cr
HORT 1345  Internship, 1 cr
General Education, 3 cr

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT - 62 CREDITS
*Denotes Prerequisites

Click here to download the Sustainable Landscaping Diploma Program Planning Form (PDF)

Career Description: Sustainable landscaping graduates find careers in a variety of positions related to landscape design, landscape construction, landscape installation, golf course maintenance, and nursery production. The demand for qualified individuals with good skills and work habits is very high. People who enjoy creating beautiful surroundings, working outside, and improving the environment will benefit from the Sustainable Landscaping Program. Job opportunities include landscape design, construction, and installation, garden center sales and positions in the greenhouse and nursery industry.

Program Information: The Sustainable Landscaping Diploma provides students with a broad knowledge of the landscaping profession through real life situations in a practical, hands-on atmosphere. The courses are designed to provide knowledge for all phases of a landscape project. This knowledge includes in-depth information about the plants and products used in the landscaping industry, proper landscape design principles, up-to-date installation and construction practices, and procedures for estimating and bidding landscape projects.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:

• Identify and practice safe use of tools, equipment and supplies used in horticulture careers;
• Identify regional and Minnesota plants by common name, genus and species;
• Propagate, grow, and maintain plants in horticultural production systems;
• Identify and prescribe sustainable options in horticulture which benefit the environment while maintaining productivity and economic viability;
• Design, construct and install landscape projects which include plants, patios, retaining walls and ponds; and
• Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills with co-workers, supervisors, suppliers and customers.

Special Program Requirements:

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Transfer Opportunities: Many horticulture courses can be transferred to a variety of four-year colleges and universities. Because each college has its own requirements, always check with an advisor about transferability of specific courses to other colleges.

Career Titles: Some common career titles for people in this field are landscape designer, landscape salesperson, landscape installation foreman, landscape business owner/manager, lawn maintenance business owner/manager, ornamental plant pest control, irrigation/sprinkler installation, nursery/garden center sales, wholesale nursery sales and nursery supply sales.