Landscape Contracting (LSCPE)

Landscape Contracting is a professional program that involves study of the art and science of the design, construction, and management of landscape spaces. Emphasis is placed upon the technical and creative skills that serve as the foundation of the profession. Design projects are focused on residential sites and garden development, while construction technology and landscape management processes expand into commercial applications as well. Students may choose between Landscape Design/Build and Landscape Management options. Key courses for both options involve identification and use of plant materials, general horticultural science, landscape maintenance, and soils. The Design/Build option emphasizes design theory and process, graphic communications using traditional and digital tools, methods and materials of construction, project layout and site surveying. The Management option focuses more on plant establishment, postplanting care and maintenance, turfgrass management and pest management.

A second general focus of the program is the development of business skills. Entrepreneurs and managers need to understand the financial realities of running a business in order to succeed in a competitive market. Students are exposed to accounting, marketing, economics, personnel management and business law. In addition, they learn how to prepare landscape estimates and bids for specific projects. 

Internships or other directed work experiences in their field are encouraged for all students. Although most schedule an internship between their junior and senior year, many complete several internships before graduating. Work experience in the industry is most helpful when it is time to consider career options. 

The Landscape Contracting major offers several opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom. Field trips to visit contracting companies, nurseries, and public gardens are scheduled each year, as are trips to industry conferences and events. International experiences are available through study tours to visit gardens and landscapes abroad. An active Horticulture Club gives students an opportunity to engage in a variety of educational and social activities throughout the year. Successful students reach a balance between classroom responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and their personal and social lives.

Students choose the Landscape Contracting major for many reasons. Some have a love of plants, some enjoy the creative aspects of planning and building, and some want to improve our environment by selecting and creatively using plant materials to enhance our surroundings. Others are drawn to the outdoor nature of the profession, construction or maintenance planning, or the use of business skills applied in a landscape setting. 

Career Opportunities for Graduates
Careers in the Landscape Contracting profession are varied and plentiful. Companies from small local enterprises to billion-dollar national firms provide opportunities nationwide. Landscape design/build companies and landscape management firms are constantly searching for a variety of employees at various levels. Graduates of the major are currently working as owners, managers, and supervisors of companies providing a broad spectrum of landscape services to clients. They may be working in sales, marketing, design, construction, maintenance, irrigation, golf course management, public garden administration, nursery production, or other related fields. Regardless of the scale of operation, graduates of Landscape Contracting are well-prepared to enter the profession as knowledgeable, well-qualified individuals.

Course Scheduling Tips
Students are encouraged to schedule General Education courses as soon as possible in order to avoid scheduling difficulties in the junior and senior years. Hort 120, Computer Applications for Landscape Contracting, should also be scheduled as early as possible, as concepts and skills learned in this course are applicable to many other courses and assignments. Three plant material courses are required, all of which are offered during fall semester only (Hort 131, Hort 137, and Hort 138). As it is recommended to schedule only one plant materials courses per semester, students should begin this sequence as early as possible.

Curriculum

Recommended Academic Plans
Design/Build Option: Berks Campus (PDF), Other Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)
Management Option: Berks Campus (PDF), Other Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)

Recommended Academic Plans PRIOR TO 2009
Design/Build Option: Berks Campus (PDF), Other Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)
Management Option: Berks Campus (PDF), Other Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)