Horticulture Landscape Contracting Option, A.A.S.

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JJC Program Code: AG650

ICCB Program Code: AGRI 0050

The increased development of private and public lands has created a need for trained landscape contractors and designers. This specialization addresses this need and offers opportunities for employment in the landscape industry.
JJC’s program is accredited by the National Association of Landscape Professionals
You will focus on topics such as:
- landscape design
- estimating and bidding
- landscape construction
- ground maintenance
This program combines intensive coursework with practical hands-on training.
As a student, you will:
- work with the most advanced materials and components available
- utilize the outdoor gardens as part of their hands-on training experience
- Go on field trips
- Listen to guest speakers to keep in close contact with the industry and its concerns
Graduates of JJC’s Landscape Contracting program use their professional training, experience and skills in the industry. JJC’s training emphasizes:
- plant identification
- care and culture
- designing full-scale landscapes
- construction techniques
- bidding
- estimating
- maintenance practices
- installation techniques
Employment opportunities exist for supervisors and managers in the following industries:
- residential and commercial landscaping
- garden design
- park management
- maintenance
Career opportunities include:
- landscape designer
- landscape sales and marketing supervisor
- landscape maintenance supervisor
- computer landscape designer
- landscape construction supervisor
- park management supervisor
- golf course maintenance supervisor
Professional positions are currently available in the following areas:
- sales and marketing
- design
- installation and maintenance
- computer landscape design
- crew foreman
- construction
JJC has professional affiliations with the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) as well as with other related industry organizations.
Includes 19 weeks of internship training in a related landscape industry.

General Education Requirements: 16 Semester Hours

Must include:

ENG 101 - Rhetoric I
COMM 101 - Principles of Communication
AGRI 126 - Introductory Soils
Course from Group II: Social and Behavioral Science
Course from Groups I-V: General Education

Students are encouraged to select a Humanities or Fine Arts course as part of their General Education coursework.

Major Core Requirements: 31 Semester Hours

Major Core Electives: 20 Semester Hours

(Select with approval of adviser from the list below):

Total Required Hours: 67 Semester Hours

Includes Online Courses

This program includes the option for distance education courses (online and/or hybrid).

Completion Guide

First Semester

Second Semester

HORT 224 - Horticulture Business Management
HORT 243 - Entomology
HORT 152 - Horticulture Equipment Power Units
Gen Ed.
HORT 161 - Herbaceous Plants I Or 163
Gen Ed.

Summer Semester

HORT 254 - Horticulture Summer Supervised Experience Program

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an Associate degree at Joliet Junior College, each student must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all admissions requirements.

2. Complete the courses required to earn the given degree. If the student is a transfer student with coursework taken elsewhere, he/she must complete a minimum of 60

credit hours of which 15 credit hours applicable to the degree are earned at JJC. Proficiency test, CLEP, and Advanced Placement does not meet this requirement.

3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

4. Discharge all financial obligations to the College and have no restrictions.

5. File an application for graduation. An application should be filed at the time of registration for the student’s anticipated last semester.

6. Have all official transcripts from other college/universities on file in the Graduation Office by the graduation filing date for evaluation of credit. A delay in the process

may result in a later graduation date.

To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Completion, or Occupational Certificate at JJC, each student must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all admission requirements.

2. Complete the courses required to earn the chosen certificate. Complete a minimum of 1-8 credit hours (Occupational Certificate), 4-29 credit hours (Certificate of Completion) or 30-50 credit hours (Certificate of Achievement). If the student is a transfer student with coursework taken elsewhere, he/she must complete a minimum of 25% of the total required credit hours applicable to the certificate at JJC. Proficiency test, CLEP, and Advanced Placement do not meet this requirement.

3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in the area of concentration.

4. Discharge all financial obligations to the college and have no restrictions.

5. File an application for graduation. An application should be filed at the time of registration for the student’s anticipated last semester.

6. Have all official transcripts from other college/universities on file in the Graduation Office by the graduation filing date for evaluation of credit. A delay in the process

may result in a later graduation date.

Contact Information

Department Chairperson	Program Coordinator	Program Advisor
Name:Brad Angus	Name:	Name:David Bartz
Email:bangus@jjc.edu	Email:	Email:dbartz@jjc.edu
Phone: 815-280-2272	Phone:	Phone: 815–280-6692