Landscape Specialist

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Landscape Specialist program emphasizes the technology of production and management. The program is designed to prepare students to become employed in nurseries or landscape construction and maintenance industry as technicians, supervisors, managers, or owners. In addition the program prepares students for jobs with government agencies or other agencies involved with the technical phases of the Landscape Horticulture industry.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Landscape Specialist (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5073
Total credits required
27-30
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2019
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn
  • Design and install complete landscapes and irrigation systems using blueprints, specifications, and appropriate landscape equipment.
  • Apply knowledge of common landscape plants and their use to develop landscape and irrigation plans that meet the environmental, aesthetic and cultural needs of the customer.
  • Effectively maintain and assess landscapes by synthesizing principles of plant growth and responses to particular soils, climate, sun exposure, water availability, nutrients and pests.
  • Employ environmentally and socially responsible horticultural practices.
  • Perform a cost analysis to develop competitive bidding for landscapes.
  • Synthesize multiple sources of information to assist in decision making relative to landscape business operations (e.g. orders, inventory, scheduling).
  • Utilize computer software program applications relevant to the field for communication skills, production decisions, business management and cost analysis.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors and abide by norms and conventions appropriate to the field.
  • Employ effective oral, written, and visual communication skills to multiple stakeholders in a culturally sensitive and responsive manner.
  • Operate equipment adhering to proper safety, ethical, and environmental protocols.
  • Explain the physical and chemical properties of soil as they relate to pH, water, nutrients and organic matter.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

$47,780

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Semesters intro

When to Start Taking Classes

It is suggested that you begin taking the courses found in this course sequence starting in a Fall Semester.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGL181 Landscape Construction Techniques Course offered in Fall only RC 3
AGL189 Landscape Design I Course offered in Fall only RC 3
AGS164 Plant Growth and Development SQ 4
AGS183 Urban Plant Identification And Use Course offered in Fall only RC 3
CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry SQ in combo w/ CHM130LL 3
AAA115 or
CPD150		 Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success 0–3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGB139 Agribusiness Computer Operations Online format only RC 3
AGB130 Establishing And Running An Agribusiness Course offered in Spring only RC 3
AGS260 Soils AGS260 is offered in the Spring only and meets the Natural Sciences area SQ 4
AGS268 Integrated Pest Management in the Cultivated Environment Course offered in Spring only RC 4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGL181 Landscape Construction Techniques Course offered in Fall only RC 3
AGL189 Landscape Design I Course offered in Fall only RC 3
AAA115 or
CPD150		 Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success 0–3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGS164 Plant Growth and Development SQ 4
CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry SQ in combo w/ CHM130LL 3

Fall Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGS183 Urban Plant Identification And Use Course offered in Fall only RC 3
AGB139 Agribusiness Computer Operations Online format only RC 3

Spring Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGB130 Establishing And Running An Agribusiness Course offered in Spring only RC 3
AGS268 Integrated Pest Management in the Cultivated Environment Course offered in Spring only RC 4

Fall Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 5)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGS260 Soils AGS260 is offered in the Spring only and meets the Natural Sciences area SQ 4

Courses in Term 1 are the requirements for the CCL Landscape Aide (5069) which is part of the Landscape Specialist certificate. 

Course Area Key
  • RC = Required Course
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for each course listed in the Required Courses area.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=135313).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Landscape Specialist