The Retrofitting California Urban Gardens Certificate of Specialization is designed to provide formal training for individuals interested in transforming the landscape into a water-wise sustainable garden. This program provides students with entry-level working knowledge of the skills and resources they will need to design various sustainable landscapes upon completion of the certificate.

Program Outcome

Students will demonstrate areas of critical thinking, design, and visual communication for entry-level employment as a landscape/garden designer that will have a strong background in sustainability as well as the ability to pursue industry certifications.

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Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
HORT A111	Landscape Drafting Techniques	1
HORT A190	California Friendly Landscape	2
HORT A191	Cacti and Succulents	1.5
HORT A285	Introduction to Landscape Design	3
HORT A288	Sprinkler Irrigation Systems Design	2
HORT A289	Installation of Residental Irrigation Systems	1
Total Units		10.5

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing. 

Some courses in this program may be offered once per academic year. 

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Semester 1		Units
HORT A111	Landscape Drafting Techniques	1
HORT A285	Introduction to Landscape Design	3
	Units	4
Semester 2
HORT A190	California Friendly Landscape	2
HORT A191	Cacti and Succulents	1.5
HORT A288	Sprinkler Irrigation Systems Design	2
HORT A289	Installation of Residental Irrigation Systems	1
	Units	6.5
	Total Units	10.5