Sustainable Horticulture

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscape Technology program helps prepare students for careers as gardeners, technicians, supervisors, managers, or business owners in wholesale or retail nurseries, florists, landscape design and construction operations, landscape management companies, and crop production companies. In addition, the program helps prepare students for careers with local, state, and federal government agencies involved with the technical phases of the landscape horticulture and sustainable agriculture industries. Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in Landscape Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, Landscape Technology, and Cannabis Cultivation are also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Sustainable Horticulture (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3014
Total credits required
60-67
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn
  • Operate equipment safely, ethically, and in an environmentally responsible manner, while demonstrating professional behaviors that align with field norms and conventions.
  • Create landscape or crop production systems that meet environmental, aesthetic, and/or cultural needs.
  • Synthesize principles of plant growth responses to particular soils, climate, sun exposure, water availability, nutrients, and pests.
  • Synthesize multiple sources of information to assist in decision making relative to agricultural business operations.
  • Utilize computer applications for production decisions, business management, cost analysis, and marketing.
  • Employ effective oral, written, and visual communication skills.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

$87,730

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

$47,780

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry Or permission of Program Director NS 0–3
AGS182AA Gardening Practices and Techniques 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
AGS164 Plant Growth and Development SQ 4

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGB139 Agribusiness Computer Operations 3
AGB130 Establishing And Running An Agribusiness Offered in the Spring Only 3
MAT112 Mathematical Concepts and Applications OR Higher level mathematics course 3–6
AGS260 Soils Offered in the Spring Only. SQ 4
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment CR 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Humanities and Fine Arts Any approved general education course in the Humanities, Arts and Design area HU 3
AGS217 Introduction to Hydroponics and Controlled Environment Agriculture Offered in the Fall Only 4
AGS262 Irrigation Design, Installation, Operation, and Trouble Shooting Offered in the Fall only 3
SSH111 Sustainable Cities G, HU, SB 3
AGS186 Greenhouse Management And Construction Offered in the Fall Only 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AGS268 Integrated Pest Management in the Cultivated Environment Offered in the Spring only. 4
AGS265 Sustainable Crop Production Offered in the Spring only. 3
AGB231 Marketing of Agricultural Products Offered in the Spring only. 3
AGS166 Aquaponics 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
GE General Electives Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals. 0–1
Course Area Key
  • CR = Critical Reading
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • NS = Natural Science
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16453205).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Sustainable Horticulture