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Associate in Specialized Technology Degree

The Landscape Construction and Management program is comprehensive in nature and prepares students to enter the landscaping industry and to advance quickly into management and supervisory positions. Through experience and theory courses, students will also be able to own and manage landscaping businesses of their own.

A strong curriculum of theoretical courses is taught, covering topics that include: Arboriculture, Herbaceous Ornamentals, Landscape Design and Construction, Tree and Shrub Identification, Turf Establishment and Maintenance, and Hardscaping.

Theoretical studies are reinforced by substantial, practical lab time in which students are required to complete many different campus installation, construction, and maintenance projects. In order to accomplish goals as set forth in the project assignments, the students utilize various hand tools, power equipment, specialized machinery, and vehicles, including chain saws, leaf blowers, tampers, skid-steer loaders, tractors, carts, and trucks.

Academics

Introduction to the Program

“The goal of the comprehensive training given in the LCM program is to prepare students to enter the industry and to advance quickly into management and supervisory positions.”

David Day, Director of Landscape Construction and Management

Employment Information

Potential Landscape Construction and Management Jobs

  • Arborist
  • Assistant Field Manager
  • Assistant Project Manager
  • Climber (Arboriculture)
  • Crew Leader
  • Crew Member
  • Customer Service and Sales Rep (Landscape Supply)
  • Design & Project Manager
  • Equipment Operator
  • Field Manager
  • Foreman
  • Garden Intern
  • Grounds Crew
  • Groundskeeper
  • Groundsworker (Arboriculture)
  • Head Landscaper
  • Landscape Foreman
  • Landscape Manager
  • Landscape Technician
  • Plant Health Care Specialist
  • Production Specialist
  • Project Manager
  • Self-Employed, Landscaping Contractor
  • Senior Gardener
  • Turf Applicator
  • Turf Manager

Who Has Hired Our Graduates?

  • Airy Lawn Service
  • Allan Myers
  • Altoona Curve
  • Aqua
  • Barry's Ground Cover
  • Bartlett Tree Experts
  • Bates Landscaping
  • Bay Country Landscape
  • Beerman & Sons
  • Bellerive Country Club
  • BGD Landscapes
  • BrightView Landscapes
  • Bruton's Landscaping
  • C & L Lawn Care
  • C. Caramanico & Sons
  • Clark's Landscaping
  • Colonial Williamsburg
  • Concord County Club
  • Corrado Construction Company
  • Country Club of Detroit
  • Croda
  • Cyma Builders and Construction Managers
  • Delaware Valley Turf
  • Distinctive Outdoor Spaces
  • E.G. Rall Jr. Landscape Design & Horticultural Services
  • Elkton Public Works Department
  • Episcopal Academy
  • GreenWeaver Landscapers
  • H & K Group
  • Halfpenny Management Co.
  • Haverford School
  • Heartwood Landscaping & Tree Services
  • Herker Property Maintenance
  • The Hill at Whitemarsh
  • J.L. Weitzel Landscaping
  • J&S Fencing
  • Jason Pilla Tree Specialist
  • John B. Ward
  • John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
  • Kellerman's Tree & Lawn Service Co.
  • Keystone Lawn Company
  • Landcare
  • Lehigh Valley Lawn
  • Manor View Farm
  • Marple Newtown School District
  • Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy
  • Pickering Valley Landscape
  • Primex Garden Center
  • Ruppert Landscape
  • SavATree
  • Scenic Outdoors
  • Shearon Environmental Design
  • Shreiner Tree Care
  • Site One Landscape Supply
  • Skanska Koch
  • Talen Energy Stadium
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Upper Darby School District
  • Waitkus Design Landscape Architecture and Construction
  • West Chester University
  • Whiting Turner Construction
  • Wilcox Landscaping

Landscape Construction and Management Courses

LCAM 111 Plant Science

Explores the construction and function of higher plants to understand plant reproductive, growth, and developmental processes and the ways plants change in response to environmental cues and stresses.
3

LCAM 113 Soils and Soil Fertility

Covers the ideal soil environment for root growth through the study of soil physical and chemical characteristics, soil organisms, amendments, and compaction.
3

LCAM 119 Landscaping Techniques I

Provides hands-on field activities to develop proficiency of tool and machine usage and landscaping best practices used in landscape maintenance and construction operations such as bed edging and mulching, pruning/shearing, plant layout, installation, and transplanting. Practices and refines landscaping techniques by working on campus landscape projects and tasks under the supervision of seniors who mentor and exhibit good working habits emblematic of a useful and valuable member of a landscaping team.
2

LCAM 120 Equipment Operation and Safety

Combines instructional and hands-on training and practice on light and heavy machines to ensure students safely and proficiently operate equipment common to the landscape trade.
1

LCAM 129 Landscaping Techniques II

Expands on LCAM 119 to learn landscape best practices, safety, and techniques used in landscape operations such as annual and groundcover layout and planting, drum-lacing, edging and mulching, weed control, fertilizing, watering, lawn mowing, and string-line trimming. Further develops proficiency in landscaping techniques and cultivates working habits and behavior emblematic of a valued and trusted landscape team member.
2

LCAM 211 Tree Plant Materials

Classroom instruction is combined with walking tours of the campus, parks, and arboreta to learn the common and botanical (Latin) names, aesthetic qualities, cultural requirements, and identification traits of trees common to landscapes in the northeastern US.
3

LCAM 221 Shrub Plant Materials

Classroom instruction is combined with walking tours of the campus and public gardens to learn the common and botanical (Latin) names, aesthetic qualities, cultural requirements and identification traits of shrubs common to landscapes in the northeastern US.
3

LCAM 231 Herbaceous Perennials

Classroom instruction combined with walking tours enable students to identify herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses used in landscaping in the northeastern US by common and botanical (Latin) names and to describe their aesthetic qualities and cultural requirements.
3

LCAM 233 Arboriculture and Climbing

Under arborist supervision, ropes and climbing equipment are used to ascend and work in trees. Covers basic arboricultural techniques of pruning, bracing, felling, climbing and rigging equipment, and chainsaw maintenance and safety.
1.5

LCAM 235 Turfgrass Science

Covers turfgrass species identification and characteristics and the principles and practices of establishing and maintaining turfgrass species for lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, and sand-based soil systems.
3

LCAM 236 Pavers and Retaining Walls

Using Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI) training resources and hands-on activities, students learn and practice the principles and procedures of ICPI paver and retaining wall construction to prepare them to take the ICPI certification test.
3

LCAM 238 Contemporary Landscape Design

Examines current landscape design trends such as sustainability, stormwater management, rain gardens, green roofs, and ecological landscaping through classroom instruction and enrichment field trips to landscape companies and private and public gardens.
2

LCAM 239 Advanced Landscaping Techniques I

In small groups, juniors devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects using techniques and methods that maximize safety, efficiency, and quality and minimize damage to the existing environment.
2

LCAM 241 Annuals, Bulbs, and Ferns

Classroom instruction and walking tours of the campus and public parks enable students to identify by common name and describe the aesthetic qualities and cultural requirements of annuals, bulbs, and ferns commonly used in landscapes in the northeastern US.
1.5

LCAM 243 Integrated Pest Management

Prepares students to take the PA Pesticide Commercial Applicator’s Core Test through instruction on the best principles and practices for managing pests of plants with a special emphasis on the proper handling and application of chemicals to protect the applicator, the public, and the environment.
1.5

LCAM 244 Landscape Design Fundamentals

A process-oriented approach using lectures and project assignments covers basic principles and practices of landscape design to enable a student to perform a site analysis, to prepare a base map, and to create a landscape design for a residential property using Dynascape software.
3

LCAM 245 Turfgrass Pest Management

Prepares students to take the PA Pesticide Commercial Applicator’s Category 7 (Turfgrass) Test through instruction on the best principles and practices for managing weed, insect, and disease pests of turfgrass with a special emphasis on chemical control methods.
1.5

LCAM 249 Advanced Landscaping Techniques II

Building on LCAM 239, small groups of students devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects using techniques and methods that maximize safety, efficiency, and quality and minimize damage to the existing environment.
2

LCAM 251 Landscape Design Software and Presentation

Focuses on landscape software (such as ProLandscape, Google SketchUp, Dynascape Design Color) to create 3D and realistic visualizations that effectively communicate landscape designs to clients.
3

LCAM 252 Ornamental Pest Management

Prepares students to take the PA Pesticide Commercial Applicator’s Category 6 (Ornamentals) Test through instruction on the best principles and practices for managing weed, insect, and disease pests of ornamental plants with a special emphasis on chemical control methods.
1.5

LCAM 253 Natural Stone and Brick Hardscaping

The ancient techniques and secrets of dry-laid stonework, stone cutting, mortared stonework, steps, walks, and patios made of natural stone and gravel and clay bricks are covered through class instruction and hands-on activities.
3

LCAM 259 Field Supervision I

Seniors direct, train, and mentor freshmen as they devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects that they are assigned to manage during the semester.
2

LCAM 261 Applied Residential Landscape Design

Students create a computer-generated CAD landscape design and estimate that is responsive to the needs of a “real-life” client and present their work to the class and the client for review.
3

LCAM 262 Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration

Explores the basis of contracts and the use of landscape contract drawings and specification documents to create project estimates and bids using quantity take-offs and material, equipment, labor, and overhead costs. Also examines methods to manage landscape projects.
1.5

LCAM 263 Lighting, Irrigation, and Pond Construction

Classroom discussions and demonstrations cover the design, installation, and pricing of landscape low-voltage lighting, lawn and plantings irrigation, and pond and waterfall construction.
3

LCAM 265 Project Design

Seniors plan and design a project based on the principles of sustainability and ecological responsibility. Activities may include composing educational literature, sourcing and purchasing materials, growing and forcing plants, and manage the project’s budget.
2

LCAM 269 Field Supervision II

Provides additional opportunities for seniors to direct, train, and mentor freshmen as they devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects.
1

LCAM 271 Arboriculture Techniques

The International Arboriculture Association’s (ISA) Certified Arborist Training Manual is used along with hands-on activities to cover arboriculture best practices/safety and to prepare students to take the ISA Certified Arborist Exam.
1.5

LCAM 272 Surveying and Grading

Class instruction and hands-on field exercises cover the basics of site surveying and principles of grading through fieldwork exercises that use a builder’s level to determine site leveling, elevations, and grades
1.5

LCAM 273 Capstone Project

Building on LCAM 265, seniors refine and finalize the plan, design, and construction of their project.
4