Landscape Maintenance Certificate - Career Certificate

A career in green entrepreneurship

Landscape maintenance staff manage landscaping projects in a variety of ways, including pest surveillance, responsible fertilizing, pruning and customer service. Sustainable landscape and business practices are emphasized in all of our courses.

Practice your skills in the horticulture department's five-acre woody plant collection and two large greenhouses, facilities that few other community colleges have to offer. A landscape maintenance certificate takes 12 months to complete.

Gain the skills local employers use in landscape maintenance, including:

plant identification
sustainable landscape maintenance
green business and entrepreneurship

What can you do with a Landscape Maintenance Certificate in Horticulture?

Students who earn a Landscape Maintenance Certificate will begin in an entry-level position. They will also take coursework to prepare them for running their own business!

landscape maintenance technician
landscape maintenance supervisor
landscape construction technician

One certificate may be enough for you to begin working in horticulture. Each additional certificate earned will broaden your opportunities and expertise.

Stack two complementary certificates together for a more well-rounded skill set. Individual certificates require 18-20 credits. Dual certificates require less than twice that (only 27-30 credits total) because of common courses. Consider these combinations:
- Landscape Maintenance + Arboriculture
- Landscape Maintenance + Design
- Landscape Maintenance + Natural Areas Management
- Horticulture Production + Sustainable Agriculture
- Natural Areas Management + Arboriculture

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1 Year

Full-time students finish in 1 year.

Career Outlook

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $39,342
  
  Median
  
  $47,862
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $83,352
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.91
  
  Median
  
  $23.01
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $40.07
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  24.17%
  
  Certificate
  
  13.23%
  
  Some college
  
  10.38%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.55%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  32.32%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  6.34%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $27,222
  
  Median
  
  $42,471
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $59,079
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $13.08
  
  Median
  
  $20.41
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $28.40
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.37%
  
  Certificate
  
  31.2%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  3.1%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  18.33%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37,342
  
  Median
  
  $51,699
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $74,955
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.95
  
  Median
  
  $24.85
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $36.03
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  71.24%
  
  Certificate
  
  15.68%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  0.26%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  12.82%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
HRT 121	HRT 121 Introduction to Horticulture Class Description This course introduces students to basic plant taxonomy, terminology, anatomy, physiology and the functions/responses of plants. Professions working with the culture and use of plants and applications of plant science will be included.	3
HRT 125	HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification Class Description This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.	3
HRT 260	HRT 260 Landscape Construction Class Description This course explores the practical, hands-on installation of landscape features. Project organization, job set up, and construction methods will be covered. Students will be assigned projects that will include design specifications and cost estimates. How to handle equipment and participation in actual construction tasks are included.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 121
Course Title	HRT 121 Introduction to Horticulture Class Description This course introduces students to basic plant taxonomy, terminology, anatomy, physiology and the functions/responses of plants. Professions working with the culture and use of plants and applications of plant science will be included.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 125
Course Title	HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification Class Description This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 260
Course Title	HRT 260 Landscape Construction Class Description This course explores the practical, hands-on installation of landscape features. Project organization, job set up, and construction methods will be covered. Students will be assigned projects that will include design specifications and cost estimates. How to handle equipment and participation in actual construction tasks are included.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
HRT 127	HRT 127 Perennials, Annuals and Weeds Class Description This course covers the identification, care, and maintenance of herbaceous plants including perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, vines, groundcovers and weeds. Approximately 600+ plants will be covered in this course. Students will review materials through photo and herbarium samples.	3
HRT 162	HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management Class Description This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.	3
HRT 225	HRT 225 Green Business & Entrepreneurship Class Description This course addresses the fundamental business skills needed to run or manage a horticulture-related business or small farm enterprise. Issues including establishing wholesale accounts for purchasing, hiring and managing seasonal employees, creating client contracts and creating value-added products are covered. Various farm-to-market models such as CSAs vs. wholesale distribution will be reviewed. This class also covers front office issues like creating billing statements, responding to "requests for proposals" and marketing seasonal products.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 127
Course Title	HRT 127 Perennials, Annuals and Weeds Class Description This course covers the identification, care, and maintenance of herbaceous plants including perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, vines, groundcovers and weeds. Approximately 600+ plants will be covered in this course. Students will review materials through photo and herbarium samples.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 162
Course Title	HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management Class Description This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 225
Course Title	HRT 225 Green Business & Entrepreneurship Class Description This course addresses the fundamental business skills needed to run or manage a horticulture-related business or small farm enterprise. Issues including establishing wholesale accounts for purchasing, hiring and managing seasonal employees, creating client contracts and creating value-added products are covered. Various farm-to-market models such as CSAs vs. wholesale distribution will be reviewed. This class also covers front office issues like creating billing statements, responding to "requests for proposals" and marketing seasonal products.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

20

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

A landscape maintenance certificate is just one possible way to study horticulture. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials, and extra options.

View the Horticulture Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

You learn scientific concepts and gain hands-on experience in most courses. These include lab sessions (e.g., Plant Propagation, Landscape Design, etc.). For some courses, you conduct scientific studies to investigate different horticultural techniques.
The horticulture department offers you a unique opportunity to learn and refine your skills. In particular, you could be a part of:
- on-campus ecological restoration
- arboretum redesign
- woody plant propagation
These programs will be conducted in collaboration with renowned organizations.
Our students come from varied backgrounds including recently graduated high school students, non-traditional students who are retraining for new careers, students who work for family businesses and those who are taking classes for personal enrichment.
Here’s what others have found:
- Flexibility to explore a range of skills
- A broadening of the work you might take up
- An understanding of the relationships between different horticulture courses - they're all connected!

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Landscape Maintenance

A career in green entrepreneurship

What can you do with a Landscape Maintenance Certificate in Horticulture?

Do more with stackable certificates

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 11 Credits

Semester 2 9 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

How will I learn in this program?

How is my learning experience going to be different compared to other colleges?

Are there students like me in the program?

What’s the best thing about studying horticulture at CLC?

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Be debt-free at CLC

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