Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Institute of Agricultural Technology

Programs
Landscape and Nursery Management

Horticulture is a complex and diversified, yet fully integrated discipline that encompasses the biological, molecular, physical, management and marketing sciences and the arts to improve the production of nutritious, high-quality and safe food, advances the development and use of new specialty crops, enhances human health and well-being, and positively impacts the natural and built environments.

The Landscape and Nursery Management program at Michigan State University provides students an opportunity to gain the necessary skills for a successful career in the multibillion dollar green industry. The program combines classroom instruction and theory with practical experience gained through field laboratories and a professional internship. Graduates of the program work as owners, managers, buyers, or salespersons in a wide variety of horticultural industries: landscape design, construction, and management; irrigation design, installation, and management; retail garden center management; herbaceous and woody plant production; urban tree management; and public and/or private botanical gardens.

Students are extensively involved in activities beyond the classroom such as working in research laboratories; assisting in field-based projects, landscape, greenhouse, garden, and nursery operations; running the Student Horticulture Association's annual spring show and plant sale; and participating in academic and field events associated with the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

The Landscape and Nursery Management program is offered by the Department of Horticulture in cooperation with the Institute of Agricultural Technology.

Requirements for Landscape and Nursery Management

Students must complete 48 credits from the following:
1. All of the following courses (31 credits):
AT 102 Turf and Landscape Analytical Practices 2
AT 293 Professional Internship in Agricultural Technology 3
CSS 110 Computer Applications in Agronomy 2
CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
ENT 111 Basics of Applied Entomology 2
HRT 109 Introduction to Applied Plant Science 2
HRT 207 Horticulture Career Development 1
HRT 211 Landscape Plants I 3
HRT 212 Landscape Plants II 3
HRT 213 Landscape Maintenance 2
HRT 213L Landscape Maintenance Field Laboratory 1
HRT 214 Landscape and Turfgrass Business Operations 2
HRT 218 Irrigation Systems for Horticulture 2
HRT 218L Irrigation Systems for Horticulture Laboratory 1
PLP 105 Fundamentals of Applied Plant Pathology 1
PLP 105L Fundamentals of Applied Plant Pathology Lab 1
2. Complete a minimum of 8 credits from the following:
AE 151 Fabrication Technology 2
AE 153 Engine and Equipment Technology 2
AT 101 Spanish for the Agricultural Industry 2
AT 202 Agricultural Regulation, Compliance and Safety 3
CSS 126 Introduction to Weed Management 2
CSS 226L Weed Science Laboratory 1
CSS 181 Pesticide and Fertilizer Application Technology 3
CSS 202 World of Turf 2
HRT 203 Introduction to Horticulture 3
3. Complete 9 additional elective credits in the college as approved by the program coordinator in the Institute of Agricultural Technology.
Students who do not demonstrate English proficiency through the IAT-administered placement test or college-level transfer credit must complete AT 045 Agricultural Communications (2 credits) or an equivalent course as approved by the program coordinator.