Landscape Design and Construction Associate of Applied Science Degree

Overview and Award Outcomes

Overview

This program provides comprehensive training in horticulture, landscape design, and construction. Students learn computer-aided design (Dynascape and SketchUp) and professional presentation techniques while gaining hands-on experience with surveying, grading, hardscape installation, and equipment operation. Graduates are prepared for careers in landscape design, landscape installation, and related green-industry roles.

Award Outcomes

Identify a wide range of plant species, pest and diseases and recommend their uses based on site conditions, aesthetics, and client goals.

Read, interpret, and develop blueprints, working drawings, and master plans for residential landscape projects.

Apply principles of design to create master plans that balance function, aesthetics, and sustainability for diverse residential sites.

Complete scaled, annotated detailed CAD plans using industry-standard software (Dynascape, SketchUp), including 2D and 3D renderings.

Measure residential sites, interpret elevation changes, and layout landscape elements accurately in the field, including grading and setting elevations.

Translate plans into built elements by constructing retaining walls, patios, planting beds, and other features from technical drawings.

Use hand tools and landscape equipment safely and effectively in landscape construction and maintenance.

Estimate material needs and quantities from construction drawings, ensuring accuracy in ordering and budgeting.

Communicate clearly with clients and team members through verbal, written, visual formats and graphic presentations for client facing documents.

Evaluate customer requirements and create responsive, client-centered design solutions through creative problem-solving and iterative refinement.

Career Opportunities

Students completing this area of study will have employment options as landscape designers or construction specialists with design/building firms or landscape construction businesses.

Program Requirements

Technical Studies Required 52 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1110Introduction to Landscape/Horticulture Careers

1

LNDC1120Woody Plants I - Trees

4

LNDC1151Insects and Diseases of Landscape Plants

3

LNDC1190Woody Plants II - Shrubs

4

LNDC1202Herbaceous Plant Materials

4

LNDC1231Nursery Operations

2

LNDC1235Landscape Operations

2

LNDC1242Plant Biology

4

LNDC1271Soil Science

3

LNDC2110Introduction to Landscape Construction

2

LNDC2120Landscape Construction I

4

LNDC2131Landscape Construction II

3

LNDC2160Landscape Design I

4

LNDC2171Landscape Design II

3

LNDC2241Landscape Equipment Operation

3

LNDC2271Landscape Design Computer Applications I

3

LNDC2280Landscape Design Computer Applications II

3

General Education Required 15 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
COMM1260Small Group Communication

3

ENGL1060Food in Literature and Film

3

PHIL1100Critical Thinking for College Success

3

PHIL1600Environmental Ethics

3

SOCI1600Food and Society

3

General Education Elective 0 Credits

Technical Studies Elective 5 Credits

Recommended:

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1141Nursery Propagation and Production

3

LNDC1160Greenhouse Infrastructure Technology

2

LNDC1166Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Fall

3

LNDC1176Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Winter

3

LNDC1187Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Summer

2

LNDC1220Integrated Pest Management

2

LNDC1250Bedding Plant Production

3

LNDC1300Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants

2

LNDC1315Minnesota Native Plants and Communities

4

LNDC1400Small Business Planning

2

LNDC1500Small Business Management

2

LNDC1900Specialized Lab

1 - 4

LNDC2210Tropical Plants and Their Uses

2

LNDC2261Professional Gardening

3

LNDC2335Landscape Construction Internship

1 - 4

LNDC2346Arboriculture Internship

3

LNDC2360Horticulture Internship

1 - 4

Total Associate in Applied Science Degree Credits 72

Semester Sequence

Offered at Brooklyn Park Only

First Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1110Introduction to Landscape/Horticulture Careers

1

LNDC1120Woody Plants I - Trees

4

LNDC1202Herbaceous Plant Materials

4

LNDC1231Nursery Operations

2

LNDC1242Plant Biology

4

LNDC1271Soil Science

3

Total Credits  18

Second Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1151Insects and Diseases of Landscape Plants

3

LNDC1190Woody Plants II - Shrubs

4

LNDC1235Landscape Operations

2

LNDC2110Introduction to Landscape Construction

2

 

PHIL1100Critical Thinking for College Success

3

 

Technical Studies Electives

2

Total Credits  16

Summer Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC2241Landscape Equipment Operation

3

 

COMM1260Small Group Communication

3

Total Credits  6

Third Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC2120Landscape Construction I

4

LNDC2160Landscape Design I

4

LNDC2271Landscape Design Computer Applications I

3

 

PHIL1600Environmental Ethics

3

SOCI1600Food and Society

3

Total Credits  17

Fourth Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC2131Landscape Construction II

3

LNDC2171Landscape Design II

3

LNDC2280Landscape Design Computer Applications II

3

 

ENGL1060Food in Literature and Film

3

 

Technical Studies Electives

3

Total Credits  15

Technical Studies Electives

Recommended:

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
LNDC1141Nursery Propagation and Production

3

LNDC1160Greenhouse Infrastructure Technology

2

LNDC1166Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Fall

3

LNDC1176Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Winter

3

LNDC1187Sustainable Food and Plant Production - Summer

2

LNDC1220Integrated Pest Management

2

LNDC1250Bedding Plant Production

3

LNDC1300Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants

2

LNDC1315Minnesota Native Plants and Communities

4

LNDC1400Small Business Planning

2

LNDC1500Small Business Management

2

LNDC1900Specialized Lab

1 - 4

LNDC2210Tropical Plants and Their Uses

2

LNDC2261Professional Gardening

3

LNDC2335Landscape Construction Internship

1 - 4

LNDC2346Arboriculture Internship

3

LNDC2360Horticulture Internship

1 - 4

Choose a Total of:  5 Credits 

Graduation (72 Credits)

Semester listings reflect the recommended sequence.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, the information herein is subject to change without notice.

 

4/30/2026 : BP 6104 / EP