Resources for Prospective Students
The Landscape Design Professional Certificate Program focuses on horticulture, nursery and planting standards, and the creative process of landscape design.
What is the Program?
The Landscape Design Professional Certificate Program consists of an intensive curriculum totaling 17 courses. Elective classes are held throughout the year for further development of knowledge and skills in the subject matter. Students experience hands-on training in woody plants and landscape design from instructors who are industry experts employed by highly reputable landscape architecture firms in the Richmond area. The Landscape Design Professional Certificate Program provides the education necessary for beginning a career as an independent designer of small-scale landscapes.
What is the Commitment?
Throughout this rigorous program, students spend an average of three to nine hours per class, per week on homework. Completion of the entire program takes approximately three to four years. Convenient evening classes and weekend field trips are scheduled to meet the needs of working adults. A majority of classes meet at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, our partner in education.
Who Should Enroll?
The Landscape Design Professional Certificate Program is intended for those with an interest in pursing a career or a promotion in the industry. It is also ideal for anyone currently working in the home construction or real estate field who could benefit from a comprehensive study of the topic. The program is best suited for those directly associated with cooperative extension or agricultural agencies, professional landscape services, garden centers and nurseries, public and private gardens, and landscape design and civil engineering firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are your classes held?
Most classes are held at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Education Building. We also offer classes at the University of Richmond Campus.
What days of weeks and times are your classes held?
Classes are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, meeting between 6-9 p.m. There are occasional field trips offered during the day on weekends.
How long does it take to complete the Program?
It takes approximately 3-4 years to complete the program. If you are considering going through the program at a faster rate, please set up a meeting with the Program Specialist to assist you with scheduling to get you through as soon as possible.
Do you have to have a degree to be admitted in the program?
You do not have to hold a degree to earn the Certificate.
How many classes do you have to take to complete the program?
There are 17 courses to take to complete the program.
Faculty Profiles
Andy Sisson has been teaching Landscape Graphics for the Landscape Design Professional Certificate program for over four years. A graduate from the Landscape Design Certificate program when it was offered through George Washington University, he then continued his education at Virginia Tech's Alexandria office and earned his Masters of Landscape Architecture degree. He currently works as a CLA at Koontz-Bryant, P.C., in Richmond, Virginia.
Students consistently describe Andy to be a generous educator. He is known for his support and guidance in-group critiques. He inspires and motivates students in a positive environment to encourage excellence in drafting projects. Landscape Graphics is one of the most demanding pre-requisite classes, however students leave feeling confident and inspired to reach their goal of becoming landscape designers.
Andy received the Most Valuable Professor award in 2008 from the Office of Continuing and Professional Education at the University of Richmond.
Sheila Hayden first began teaching Introduction to Plants, a botany class in the Landscape Design Certificate Program, more than 12 years ago. She has over thirty years of experience in the Horticulture industry, including working for The National Arboretum in Washington D.C. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Biology with a focus of botany from University of Richmond.
Sheila continues to introduce more hands-on experience in her labs and Woody Landscape Plant classes. She has recently added two workshops: one on propagation for early fall plants and another on reviewing the standards that identify quality plant material and availability. Sheila's classes utilize Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden as an outdoor classroom in order to study a mature and vast plant collection.
Students enjoy Sheila's enthusiasm and experience in classes and find her love of the subject contagious. Sheila is also a recipient of the MVP award from the office of OCPE at the University of Richmond.