Horticulture - Landscape Arborist

Upon successful completion of the Horticulture - Landscape Arborist Certificate of Achievement, the student will demonstrate skills, knowledge, and training necessary to take the exam for the Tree Care Industry Association’s Tree Care Specialist Credential, obtain Chainsaw Safety Certification, and to gain entry-level employment or career advancement in tree care, ground operations, or climbing. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in the areas of: safety, tree biology and identification, pruning, transplanting, fertilizing, cabling and bracing, lightning protection, and plant health care. Student learning and performance will reflect industry standards, with focus on work-based learning opportunities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge and understanding of plant growth characteristics and health requirements to critically solve common problems in landscape trees.
2. Understand and apply basic business skills critical to the landscape arboriculture industry, such as time management, attention to detail, and consistency.
3. Demonstrate technical skills and knowledge necessary for employment in the landscape management industry, specifically related to tree management and care.

Enrollment data.

Data which spans four years, retrieved from Delta College’s Office of Institutional  Effectiveness, for courses in the proposed program shows variations in retention and  success rates. The variations in data coincide with instances of changes in faculty,  whether related to retirement, full-time status, or medical leave. However, across all four  years of data, retention percentages in the majority of program courses remain in the high  80s or above. Additionally, the trend in student success shows upward movement starting  in the 2017-2018 academic year. It is projected that these rates will continue to rise and  stabilize as faculty presence is more consistent, and as pathway-wide curricular revisions  take effect. Success and retention in this program’s capstone course, HORT 26-  Arboriculture, has already seen increases since the investment and development of the  program was initiated. Total enrollment for the four-year period included 248 students.  Although some are probably duplicate enrollments, three courses: HORT 1-Introduction  to Horticulture, HORT 5- Integrated Pest Management, and HORT 26- Arboriculture,  appear to have the highest recruitment potential for this program.  

Completer Data  

Based on retention data averages across the four years, 40 students per year complete the  courses in this program. If those students are divided into the four pathway certificates, a  rough estimate of 10 completers is projected in the first two years. COE has presented an  undersupply of 107 trained workers in the subregion per year, with projected increases.  According to the COE, 100% of student completers obtain employment in the field. This  indicates that completers of this program have a high likelihood of obtaining relevant  employment upon completion. This information paired with strategic enrollment and  retention efforts, is expected to render increases in completers by five individuals in the  third and fourth years.  

Program Goal: CTE (Limited to programs in CTE codes other that ADTs) (C)

The goal of the Landscape Arborist Certificate of Achievement is to prepare students for the   range of opportunities in the landscaping job market, with specific emphasis in tree care and   maintenance. The understanding of concepts related to tree growth patterns, health   requirements, and pruning best practices is essential in the arboriculture field. Focus will be placed on essential business skills, safety principles and requirements, as well as technology and equipment implementation. The certificate program serves to build skillset, provide   professional training, and affirm understanding of concepts related to landscape arboriculture   through conceptual and project-based learning, hands-on instruction, and embedded industry certifications.   

Program Objectives

1. Understand fundamental concepts related to tree growth patterns, health requirements, and pruning best practices. 
   
2. Understand and apply essential business skills critical to the arboriculture industry, such as key safety principles and requirements, as well as technology, tool, and equipment implementation. 
   
3. Demonstrate preparation for entry-level employment or career advancement in supervising landscape and grounds keeping workers, with specific emphasis in tree care and maintenance.
   

Core Requirements

Complete 18 units

AGBUS 15 Agribusiness Computer Applications 3

HORT 1 Fundamentals of Horticulture 3

HORT 2 Plant Materials and Usage - Fall 3

 or  HORT 3 Plant Materials and Usage - Spring 3

HORT 5 Integrated Pest Management 3

HORT 20 Landscape Maintenance 3

HORT 26 Introduction to Arboriculture 3

Restricted Electives

Select 1-3 units

HORT 21 Landscape Construction 3

HORT 23 Landscape Irrigation and Drainage 3

HORT 24 Principles of Landscape Design 3

HORT 96V Work Experience: Horticulture 1 - 4

Minimum Units Required: 19.00 - 21.00