Academics

Horticulture Turfgrass Management

The Horticulture Turfgrass Management program prepares students for employment opportunities within the turfgrass management industry. Students learn basic theory in the classroom and apply that theory in outdoor laboratories. The program has a variety of outdoor facilities and equipment to support student learning in the “hands-on” labs. Graduates of the program will demonstrate specific knowledge and proficiency in soil fertility, turfgrass management, irrigation, landscape plants, landscape construction, pruning, garden flowers, plant disease and insect control, horticultural mechanics, lawn care and golf industries, and horticultural business management. The student will complete an internship with a turfgrass operations company during the sophomore year. Students may attend full-time or part-time. Graduates of the program either enter directly into the Horticulture industry or transfer to a four-year university to continue studies.

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities at ICC besides going to class. The Horticulture Club sponsors a variety of trips and social functions each year. Students may participate in the Illinois Nurserymen’s Association Apprenticeship Program, the Pro-Hort Seminars, and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Student Career Days held each spring. In addition, students assist in hosting the College’s Landscape & Garden Day held each fall at the Land Lab.

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Degree

Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 62

Program Requirements

Select a course number below to see a course description.

Required General Education Courses

Course Name Credit Hours
ENGL 110COMPOSITION I 3
COMMUNICATION *3
SOCIAL SCIENCE *3
MATHEMATICS **3
AGRI 112BASIC SOILS 4
HUMANITIES *3

Required Program Courses

Course Name Credit Hours
AGRI 113PRINCIPLES OF SOIL FERTILITY 3
HORT 110INTRODUCTION TO HORTICULTURAL PLANTS 4
HORT 114INTRODUCTION TO TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 3
HORT 124LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION 3
HORT 126LANDSCAPE ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT 3
HORT 130WOODY PLANT ID 3
HORT 132PLANT PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT 3
HORT 213LANDSCAPE LAYOUT AND DESIGN 3
HORT 214HORTICULTURAL MECHANICS 3
HORT 216IRRIGATION SYSTEMS 2
HORT 218LANDSCAPE ESTIMATION AND CONTRACTS 2
HORT 226OCCUPATIONAL INTERNSHIP AND SEMINAR 3
HORT 229HORTICULTURE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 3
HORT 235ADVANCED TURF MANAGEMENT I 2
HORT 246ADVANCED TURF MANAGEMENT II 3

* See specific requirements for the Associate in Applied Science Degree.
** AGBUS 118; MATH 106, MATH 110 or higher, except for the following: 230, 250

Career Opportunities


With this degree, you may find employment in:

  • Turf management firms
  • Parks
  • Businesses and corporations
  • Lawn care firms
  • Outdoor sports arenas
  • Golf courses

Recommended Course Sequence

Semester Courses
Fall Semester 1ENGL 110; Mathematics; AGRI 112; HORT 110; HORT114
Spring Semester 1Communication; AGRI 113; HORT 124; HORT 126; HORT 235
Summer SemesterHORT 132; HORT 246
Fall Semester 2Humanities; Social Science; HORT 130; HORT 213; HORT 214
Spring Semester 2HORT 216; HORT 218; HORT 226; HORT 229

Program Contact Information

Agricultural and Industrial Technologies Department
AIT Building
Room 118
(309) 694-8446

Illinois Career Cluster

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource

Career Pathway:
Plant Systems

Career Pathway

Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.

Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Pathway: Plant Systems
ICC Pathway: Horticulture – Turfgrass

Early College

If you are a high school junior or senior, you can get a head start on your future by taking college-level courses now! Visit our Dual Credit webpage for a listing of area high schools with courses available

Composition I (ENGL 110) | Humanities | Introduction to Communication (COMM 110) | Mathematics | Social Science

Point of Entry

High School Diploma or GED

Getting Started: Apply to ICC | Paying for College | Career Information: Grounds Maintenance Workers | Student Information

Certificate of Completion

Turfgrass Operations (28-30 credit hours)

Industry Credentials

None

Employment Information

Pesticide Applicator, Lawn Care Technician, Tree Trimmer & Pruner, Grounds Maintenance Worker, Cemetery Manager $10-15/hr

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Turfgrass Management(64 credit hours)

Industry Credentials

Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Technician

Employment Information

Grounds Maintenance Estimator, Lawn Care Technician, Irrigation Specialist, Golf Course Superintendent, Sports Field Manager, Sod Farm Manager, Grounds Maintenance Worker$10-40/hr

OCCUPATION BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS

There are no current articulation agreements to Bachelor degree programs at this time.

CAREER CLUSTER BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS

Program transfer
guides layout course work to be taken at ICC and the transfer institution to complete specific programs of study or majors.

There are no current articulation agreements to Bachelor degree programs at this time.

GENERAL BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS

General transfer agreements formalize the transfer process from ICC to other colleges and universities.

For additional transfer information:
Transfer Assistance
Useful Transfer Links
Transfer Agreements

Related Programs

Horticulture Landscape Management
Horticulture – Landscaping certificate
Horticulture – Turfgrass Operations certificate

Accreditation

National accreditation by the National Associate of Landscape Professionals (NALP)


National Associate of Landscape Professionals, Inc. © 2005-2017
12500 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 200
Fairfax, Virginia 22033
(703) 736 9666 | (800) 395-2522 | (703) 736-9668

Keep Informed

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