Overview
In the Sustainable Horticulture program students learn sustainable landscape techniques and technologies including design, implementation, and management of green roofs and green walls; stormwater management best practices; sustainable choices in plant materials; and use of alternative energy systems in landscapes.
Students complete foundation courses in landscape horticulture and environmental science, and then take additional technical courses in sustainable horticulture. Core business courses prepare students for leadership roles in local businesses and municipalities, while cooperative education employment experiences allow students to further develop their knowledge in positions with companies utilizing sustainable horticulture.
Related Programs
Landscape Horticulture (LH)Turfgrass Management (TURF)Landscape Design Certificate (LDC)Landscape Technician Certificate (LTC)Sustainable Agriculture Management Certificate (AGRC)Accreditation
The Sustainable Horticulture degree program is industry-accredited by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).
Contacts
Program Chair
Co-op Coordinator
Advisor
Career Outlook
Graduates Are Prepared To
- Renovate existing landscapes to more sustainable forms
- Design, implement, and manage sustainable landscape technologies such as green roofs, green walls, stormwater retention and rainwater harvesting systems, and alternative energy products (such as solar lighting and water pumps) that are functional and aesthetically pleasing
- Recognize plants that are invasive in the Cincinnati region and recommend control measures
- Identify and manage plants, both native and non-native, that are appropriate for sustainable landscapes
Representative Job Titles For Graduates
- Grounds Specialist /Foreman
- Horticulturist
- Irrigation Specialist
- Landscape Construction Specialist
- Landscape Designer
Graduate Employment Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about 8 percent growth in employment related to sustainable horticulture through 2030. The landscape industry is shifting toward more ecologically-friendly and sustainable practices, and as Greater Cincinnati employers implement these new techniques, a qualified workforce will be in high demand, especially in the area of stormwater management.
$36,000–$42,000 annually
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
Contacts
Program Chair
Co-op Coordinator
Advisor
Curriculum
Effective 2024-2025 academic year
Sustainable Horticulture (SH)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LH 140 | Landscape Operations ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH 105 | Horticulture Occupations ( B) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| LH 120 | Soil Science and Plant Nutrition ( T) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| LH 130 | Woody Plant Materials ( B) | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| XXX XXX Environmental Science Elective (B) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| BUS 190 | Professional Practices ( B) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| LH 110 | Applied Botany ( G) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH 151 | Landscape Design 1 ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH 155 | Computer-Aided Landscape Design ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ENG 1XX English Composition Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| MAT 1XX Mathematics Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| LH 165 | Landscape Construction ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH 135 | Herbaceous Plant Materials ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH X9X Cooperative Education Elective 1: Landscape Horticulture (T) | 1 | 40 | 2 | |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| ACC 101 | Financial Accounting ( B) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| LAW 101 | Business Law ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LH 230 | Landscape Solutions to Stormwater Management ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH 245 | Plants for Sustainable Landscapes ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||||
| LH 240 | Landscape Management ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LH 290 | Sustainable Landscape Design Capstone ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Arts/Humanities Elective or Social/Behavioral Science Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Management/Marketing Elective (B) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||||
| LH X9X Cooperative Education Elective 2: Landscape Horticulture (T) | 1 | 40 | 2 | |
| Total Credits: | 51 | 120 | 67 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | College Success Strategies: Overview | 1 |
| FYE 105 | College Success Strategies: Overview and Application | 2 |
| FYE 110 | College Success Strategies: Practice and Application | 3 |
| Environmental Science Elective | ||
| EVS 110 | Environmental Science: Conservation and Cleanup | 4 |
| EVS 120 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| EVS 130 | Environmental Science: Ecology and Ecosystems | 4 |
| EVT 175 | Watershed Management | 3 |
| BIO 270 | Ecology | 5 |
| English Composition Elective | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition 2: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| ENG 103 | English Composition 2: Writing about Literature | 3 |
| ENG 104 | English Composition 2: Technical Communication | 3 |
| ENG 105 | English Composition 2: Business Communication | 3 |
| Management/Marketing Elective | ||
| MGT 101 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MGT 105 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGT 120 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MGT 130 | Project Management | 3 |
| MKT 101 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 105 | Marketing and Customer Relations | 3 |
| MKT 130 | Principles of Sales | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective | ||
| MAT 105 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| MAT 111 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 125 | Algebra and Trigonometry | 4 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective or Social/Behavioral Science Elective (select one course) | ||
| Any Ohio Transfer 36 course from ART, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, THE, or COMM 130 | ||
| or, any Ohio Transfer 36 course from ECO, GEO, HST, LBR, POL, PSY, SOC, or SPN 101 | ||
| Cooperative Education Electives (4 credit hours required) | ||
| LH 191 | Part-Time Cooperative Education 1: Landscape Horticulture | 1 |
| LH 192 | Part-Time Cooperative Education 2: Landscape Horticulture | 1 |
| LH 193 | Part-Time Cooperative Education 3: Landscape Horticulture | 1 |
| LH 194 | Part-Time Cooperative Education 4: Landscape Horticulture | 1 |
| LH 291 | Full-Time Cooperative Education 1: Landscape Horticulture | 2 |
| LH 292 | Full-Time Cooperative Education 2: Landscape Horticulture | 2 |
G = General Education course in this curriculum
B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum
T = Technical course in this curriculum
• This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
• The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.