 | PLANET Accreditation Guidelines | | |
 Section II
Curriculum Standards
4 Year Degree Program
Accrediting Organization
Professional Landcare Network appointed board, called Landscape Contracting Accreditation Board (LCAB).
Objectives -
Define the academic standards for programs in landscape contracting at four-year academic institutions. These standards establish expected areas of learning deemed relevant to the landscape contracting business community. -
Allow flexibility to accommodate a variety of emphases in four-year academic programs. Degree - leading to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution. Program Identification
Program title shall reflect the mission of the program. It is strongly suggested that the word “landscape” be incorporated into the title. Areas of Competency CREDIT NUMBERS GIVEN ARE SEMESTER HOURS. EQUIVALENT QUARTER CREDITS ARE REQUIRED FOR SCHOOLS USING THE QUARTER SYSTEM. Business and Communication - minimum 18 credits
Suggested topic areas:
Composition
Business or technical writing
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communications
Language (Spanish recommended)
Economics
Accounting
Marketing and Sales
Estimating and Bidding (both landscape construction and maintenance)
Contracts
Management Fundamentals
Small Business Startup and Management
Personnel Management
Finance
Business and Government Regulations
Horticulture and Related Sciences - minimum 15 credits Suggested topic areas:
Chemistry
Soil Science and Soil Fertility
Horticulture, Botany or Plant Science
Woody Plant Material
Herbaceous Plant Material
Turf Grasses and Weeds
Interior Plant Material
Plant Propagation Computing and Technology Applications - minimum 9 credits
Some, or all, credits may be satisfied within courses counted in other categories. For example, a 3 credit estimating class with one third of the course dedicated to a computer estimating software program would satisfy 3 credits in business and 1 credit in computing applications. Suggested topic areas:
Introduction to computers or basic computing concepts
Business computing applications
Computer estimating
Computer-aided design and drafting
Digital imaging techniques
Other technology Internship - minimum 3 credits; maximum 9 credits
Formalized practical work experience, preferably within an established landscape company. An internship may be called a co-op or practicum, but should include documented work experience, which is relevant to the landscape contracting business community. Typically, 12 weeks of monitored, full-time work experience counts for 3 academic credits. Practical work experience programs must have some formal mechanism in place for evaluation and monitoring by both the cooperating business and the academic institution. Refer to the PLANET Internship Guidelines found on the PLANET website, www.landcarenetwork.org. Landscape Contracting Specialty Credits
A minimum of 33 credits in any combination of A, B, C and D.
At least 6 credits are required from each of Emphasis A, B, and C. Defined emphases -
Landscape Design – minimum 6 credits
Suggested topic areas:
Basic principles of design or design appreciation
Graphic communication
Computer aided design and drafting
Planting design
Grading and drainage design
Interior Landscape design
Irrigation design
Advanced design issues (design sales, client relations, site inventory techniques, complex site design problems, health and safety etc.)
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Landscape Installation and Implementation – minimum 6 credits
Suggested topic areas:
Land surveying
Landscape structures
Construction materials and methods
Installation equipment use and safety
Scheduling and project management
Plant material installation
Interior Plantscaping
Irrigation installation techniques
Safety in the landscape
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Landscape Management – minimum 6 credits
Suggested topic areas:
Turf grass management
Arboriculture and urban plant management
Landscape management principles
Entomology
Plant pathology.
Integrated pest management
Interior plantscape management
Irrigation trouble shooting and repair
Small engine repair and maintenance
Maintenance equipment use and safety
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Institution defined emphasis
Landscape contracting may have special expressions beyond the previous defined emphases. Category D allows and encourages academic institutions to initiate and respond to changes in the landscape contracting industry by offering courses to suit these specialized needs.
For example, a defined emphasis in, “Environmental Contracting” with possible topic areas of:
Ecology
Re-vegetation of disturbed lands
Erosion control systems
Wetland construction and restoration
Permaculture and sustainable development
Landscaping for energy and water conservation
Landscape waste management and recycling Continue to Section III - Curriculum Standards - 2 Year Degree Program Return to Accreditation
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