Sustainable Landscaping Diploma

Program Description

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

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
• 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.

Career Opportunities

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.

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

Graduation 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.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html