What You Will Learn

The County College of Morris (CCM) Landscape and Horticultural Technology (LHT)department offers three associate degrees and four certificates of achievement for creative individuals who like the outdoors and are committed to preserving the environment. The program includes a foundation in plant science, soils, plant identification and design to give the student a well-rounded study of ornamental horticulture.

  • Agribusiness  – Associate in Applied Science
  • Landscape Management and Design – Associate in Applied Science
  • Turf and Turfgrass Management – Associate in Applied Science
  • Landscape Design – Certificate of Achievement
  • Grounds Maintenance – Certificate of Achievement
  • Landscape Contractor – Certificate of Achievement
  • Garden Center – Certificate of Achievement

Why Study Landscape and Horticulture Technology at CCM?

The CCM Landscape and Horticultural Technology Program is a well-regarded program that prepares students to be industryready or prepared to transfer to four-year institutions. The features that make the program unique include:

  • Classes are held in a state-of-the-art LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building that emphasizes the department’s commitment to sustainability.
  • Small class sizes offer personal attention from faculty members.
  • Courses are taught in both traditional and hybrid formats, day and night sections to accommodate the busy working student.
  • Students gain valuable production experience working in the department’s three greenhouses producing poinsettias, annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs.
  • The courses emphasize a hands-on approach to learning that include the operation of various pieces of landscape construction and maintenance equipment.

 

The LHT Program at CCM promotes professional development and is affiliated with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, The New Jersey Nursery Landscape Association, The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, New Jersey Turfgrass Association and New Jersey Sports Field Managers Association.

Prospective students will find a variety scholarship opportunities geared directly toward those enrolled in the LHT program.

Career Opportunities

  • Landscape Designer
  • Landscape Architect
  • Golf Course Superintendent
  • Sports Field Manager
  • Garden Center Manager
  • Horticultural Sales and Brokerage Associate
  • Landscape Contractor and Maintenance Professional
  • Public Garden Horticulturist
  • Arborist
  • Nursery and Greenhouse Operator

Programs

Agribusiness

This option provides career preparation in the skills needed to work in horticultural related service industries as well as in both wholesale and retail sales of horticultural products. Ideal for those who love the business aspect of the horticultural field but who do not feel drawn to designing as well as for those with a desire to be actively involved in sales positions. This option includes a strong emphasis on both horticultural technical knowledge as well as business management skills. Career opportunities are varied and, in addition to retail and wholesale nurseries, include equipment suppliers, landscape product suppliers, fertilizer and pesticide sales, as well as business management related to design build companies.

Garden Center

Certificate of Achievement

The Landscape and Horticultural Technology certificates are designed for present or future professionals who want to improve their technical knowledge and skills in any of the four certificate areas. Each curriculum is balanced with theory and hands-on experiences. Students complete projects using the three greenhouses, the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop. The four certificate areas are: Landscape Design, Grounds Maintenance, Landscape Contractor and Garden Center. The career certificates are designed primarily for part-time students who are presently working or plan to work in one of the areas. It is possible to complete any certificate within three years utilizing evening classes or within a shorter period of time with day classes or a combination of face-to-face and online or hybrid classes. Students with diverse career goals may earn more than one certificate.

Ground Maintenance

Certificate of Achievement

The Landscape and Horticultural Technology certificates are designed for present or future professionals who want to improve their technical knowledge and skills in any of the four certificate areas. Each curriculum is balanced with theory and hands-on experiences. Students complete projects using the three greenhouses, the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop. The four certificate areas are: Landscape Design, Grounds Maintenance, Landscape Contractor and Garden Center. The career certificates are designed primarily for part-time students who are presently working or plan to work in one of the areas. It is possible to complete any certificate within three years utilizing evening classes or within a shorter period of time with day classes or a combination of face-to-face and online or hybrid classes. Students with diverse career goals may earn more than one certificate.

Landscape Contractor

Certificate of Achievement

The Landscape and Horticultural Technology certificates are designed for present or future professionals who want to improve their technical knowledge and skills in any of the four certificate areas. Each curriculum is balanced with theory and hands-on experiences. Students complete projects using the three greenhouses, the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop. The four certificate areas are: Landscape Design, Grounds Maintenance, Landscape Contractor and Garden Center. The career certificates are designed primarily for part-time students who are presently working or plan to work in one of the areas. It is possible to complete any certificate within three years utilizing evening classes or within a shorter period of time with day classes or a combination of face-to-face and online or hybrid classes. Students with diverse career goals may earn more than one certificate.

Landscape Design

Certificate of Achievement

The Landscape and Horticultural Technology certificates are designed for present or future professionals who want to improve their technical knowledge and skills in any of the four certificate areas. Each curriculum is balanced with theory and hands-on experiences. Students complete projects using the three greenhouses, the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop. The four certificate areas are: Landscape Design, Grounds Maintenance, Landscape Contractor and Garden Center. The career certificates are designed primarily for part-time students who are presently working or plan to work in one of the areas. It is possible to complete any certificate within three years utilizing evening classes or within a shorter period of time with day classes or a combination of face-to-face and online or hybrid classes. Students with diverse career goals may earn more than one certificate.

Landscape Management and Design

A Landscape and Horticultural Technology Option

This option provides career preparation in the skills needed to design, build, and manage ornamental and natural landscapes. Ideal for those with an artistic flair who also enjoy working outdoors, this option is also ideal for anyone who derives satisfaction from building and completing projects. Students in this option learn to measure, analyze, draw, and install landscapes and hands-on activities are provided whenever possible. Career opportunities abound for the landscape designer and opportunities to either work for or develop a landscape design and build company are also tremendous. Because all students in this option also learn technical aspects of landscape installation, graduates are much in demand as skilled technicians in landscape and plant material installation.

Turf and Turfgrass Management

A Landscape and Horticultural Technology Option

This option provides career preparation in the skills needed to manage large turf areas including golf courses, sports turf, and both active and passive recreational turf areas. Ideal for those who enjoy sports or who have participated in sports and want to find a rewarding career that provides continued contact with sports related activities. Technical skills including understanding turfgrass physiology and morphology, soils management, installation techniques, and grounds management are all included in this course of study. Additionally, management and problem solving skills are also an integral component of this option. Graduates of the Turf and Turfgrass Management will be well prepared for entry into a career in turf management or may choose to transfer to a four-year program in turf science.

Where You Can Go

Graduates of the CCM LHT Program are industry-ready and will find employment opportunities with landscape design/build firms, nurseries, garden centers, golf courses, tree care companies
and other green industry employers.

Many graduates have successfully started their own landscape management and design firms and have become leaders in the industry.

Credits earned at CCM are very transferable and allow students to achieve a quality education at an affordable price.

LHT students have successfully transferred to:

  • Rutgers University
  • Penn State University
  • Cornell University
  • Purdue University
  • University of Maryland

 

and other universities offering horticulture, plant science and landscape design.

The LHT department currently has an articulation agreement with Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania that allows for a smooth transition to a four-year degree upon graduation.

Contact Info

Admissions
973-328-5100

Professor Brian Oleksak
boleksak@ccm.edu
973-328-5363

Professor Craig Tolley
ctolley@ccm.edu
973-328-5363