Environmental Horticulture and Sustainable Agribusiness Degree
This program provides a comprehensive mixture of academic and practical training in the field of ornamental horticulture. The flexible curriculum can accommodate career interests in either landscape contracting or design.
Students will learn to design and draft landscape plans; install, construct, and maintain landscapes; and identify, select, and plant woody and herbaceous plants.
Courses include general education requirements, those necessary for acquiring landscaping fundamentals, and those that reinforce the student’s area of interest in landscape contracting or landscape design. This program is approved by the Landscape Contractors Association.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Design, draft, and implement landscape plans.
- Install, construct, and maintain landscapes.
- Identify common plants in Maryland landscapes.
- Identify, communicate, and solve common problems in the landscape or in production.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
- Environmental Horticulture and Sustainable Agribusiness AAS Degree Program Advising
Guide (PDF,
) - Find a Program Advisor
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Career opportunities include positions as landscape architect, nursery and greenhouse manager, landscaping and grounds keeping workers, tree trimmer and pruner, and nursery worker. This program will also serve to expand the knowledge and skills of persons already working in the profession and give the student enough knowledge and experience to establish a private landscape, grounds maintenance, nursery, or greenhouse business.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested course sequence for students follows.
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- BIOL 101 - General Biology 4 semester hours (NSLD)
-
OR
- HORT 100 - Introduction to Plant Sciences 4 semester hours (NSLD)
- HORT 105 - Introduction to Sustainable Landscaping 2 semester hours
- HORT 253 - Plant Materials I 3 semester hours
Second Semester
- English Foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- CMAP 120 - Introduction to Computer Applications 3 semester hours
- HORT 254 - Plant Materials II 3 semester hours
- HORT Elective 3 semester hours ‡
- HORT Elective 3 semester hours ‡
Third Semester
- BSAD 101 - Introduction to Business 3 semester hours
-
OR
- MGMT 101 - Principles of Management 3 semester hours
- COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (GEEL)
-
OR
- COMM 112 - Business and Professional Speech Communication 3 semester hours (GEEL)
- Arts or Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD or HUMD)
- HORT Elective 3 semester hours ‡
- HORT Elective 3 semester hours ‡
Fourth Semester
- HORT 258 - Sustainable Landscape Management 3 semester hours
- HORT 280 - Landscape Technology Internship 2 semester hours
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)
- HORT Elective (200 Level) 3 semester hours ‡
- HORT or Elective 3 semester hours ‡
- HORT Elective 1 semester hour ‡
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A, if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103, or elective.
** Environmental horticulture and sustainable agribusiness courses are listed as LNTP in the catalog and course schedule until fall 2022. After fall 2022, they are listed as HORT.
‡ Please consult an environmental horticulture and sustainable agribusiness advisor to choose HORT electives.
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.