What You Will Learn
If you are new to the landscape industry or a current professional wanting to improve your knowledge and skillset, explore one or more certificate programs at CCM:
Learn about various types of soils and plants and determine those to utilize in your landscape design. A thorough overview of ground maintenance procedures, best practices for the elimination of greenery pests and so much more, can be gained through any of these hands-on programs.
Projects are completed on campus using the three greenhouses, the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop.
Highly qualified faculty give you the tools to design a landscaping plan, along with estimating specs and cost, and operating landscape construction and maintenance equipment, depending upon your chosen certificate program.
Curriculum
To complete a Certificate of Achievement in one of the four Landscape and Horticultural Technology disciplines, 18-20 credits are required, depending upon the chosen program of study.
Innovative courses include Plant Science, Introduction to Horticulture, Herbaceous Plants, Landscape Plant Identification, Landscape Design and Planning, Landscape Specs and Estimating, Landscape Construction, Grounds Maintenance and Plant Pest Maintenance, among others offered by the department.
Classes are offered during the day and evening, on campus and in hybrid format.
This program is also stackable so you may complete more than one certificate or pursue your associate degree in a similar field offered by the department.
- Associate of Applied Science degree (60-credits)
- Landscape Entrepreneur
- Landscape Management and Design
- Turf and Turfgrass Management
Careers in the Field
Completing a Certificate of Achievement within the Landscape and Horticultural Technology program enables you to pursue employment with landscape design/build firms, golf courses, garden centers, nurseries, tree care companies and other green industry employers.
Examples of job titles include:
- Arborist
- Landscape Designer
- Landscape Architect
- Garden Center Manager
- Golf Course Superintendent
- Horticultural Sales and Brokerage Associate
- Landscape Contractor and Maintenance Professional
- Nursery and Greenhouse Operator
- Public Garden Horticulturist
- Sports Field Manager
Why Study Garden Center at CCM
The Landscape and Horticultural Technology program at CCM is a well-regarded program that prepares you to be industry ready or further your current career in this field. It also prepares you for transfer to a four-year college or university.
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.
- Full-time and adjunct faculty have significant experience in their respective disciplines.
- Courses are taught in both traditional and hybrid formats, day and night sections, to accommodate the busy working student.
- Work in three greenhouses on campus to grow and care for an array of plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs.
- Additional facilities for hands-on learning include the plant preparation laboratory, the landscape design studio, the computer laboratory and the horticultural shop.
- Experience operating landscape construction and maintenance equipment.
Professional Affiliations
Landscape and Horticultural Technology at CCM promotes professional development and adheres to a set of standards with affiliation to the following organizations:
- The National Association of Landscape Professionals
- New Jersey Nursery Landscape Association
- New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association
- New Jersey Turfgrass Association
- New Jersey Sports Field Managers Association.
Paying For Your Garden Center Education
Earning a certificate of achievement from CCM is a powerful investment that will pay off over the course of your life, in both increased earnings and job satisfaction. But what is the upfront cost, and how do you afford it?
There’s good news: Money is available to help you pay for school! Our Financial Aid staff can provide lots of information about the process of finding funds to help pay for your education.
Featured Courses
Plant Science
Plant Science includes studying the effects of the environment on plant growth and development, plant morphology and physiology, and plant classification. Students apply theory by propagating, maintaining and studying plants using the Landscape and Horticultural Technology program greenhouse facility. This course is offered as a traditional face-to-face course with an online supplement, as an online course, or as a hybrid online course.
Landscape Plant Identification Management and Use
This course focuses on field identification techniques applied to the study of woody plant material including trees, shrubs, groundcovers and vines. Both conifer and deciduous plants are covered. The landscape uses of plants and the factors which should be used to guide plant selection are also discussed. Over 100 species of woody plant material are studied including trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers.
The CCM campus, local garden centers and arboreta of the Morris County Park Commission are all used for field study. This course is offered as a traditional face-to-face course, as an online course or as a hybrid online course.
Landscape Design and Planning I
Class instruction emphasizes the theory, principles and practices of design and planning, effective use of plant materials, artistic consideration of form and function, and basic drawing and drafting techniques. Students learn to apply the design process as a problem-solving technique to produce finished designs. The process of design is a major focus and students are also taught presentation techniques. Sustainable practices are infused throughout the course. This course is offered as a face-to-face course with an online supplement or as a hybrid online course. Student project work is posted online using a free online portfolio system.
Your Garden Center Faculty Advisor
Associate Professor, Chair
Assistant Professor
