Landscape Contracting & Landscape Development
Program Highlights
Design. Build. Lead.
SUNY Cobleskill prepares students to take landscapes from idea to reality, designing projects, understanding how they are built, and learning how they are maintained over time. Students develop skills through applied coursework, planning, and field-based experiences that connect classroom concepts to field practice, including landscape construction, maintenance, turfgrass management, and business management. Graduates leave ready to step into the landscape industry with strong horticultural skills, manage crews, and grow into leadership roles or business ownership. Cobleskill is the only NALP-accredited program in New York and New England, placing it within a select group of programs recognized for meeting national industry standards.
Degree Options
Landscape Development, A.A.S. | 60 Credit Hours (2 Years)
A two-year, hands-on degree that builds foundational skills in landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Students are prepared to enter the workforce with crew leadership or continue seamlessly into Cobleskill’s Bachelor of Technology degree program in Landscape Contracting. This option provides a flexible pathway for students seeking immediate employment, long-term advancement in the landscape industry, or even transfer into a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program.
Landscape Contracting, Bachelor of Technology (B.T.) | 120 Credit Hours (4 Years) | Includes a 15-credit professional capstone internship
A four-year degree focused on landscape design, construction, maintenance, and project leadership. Students develop the skills to manage crews, oversee projects, and operate within the business side of the industry. The program is nationally accredited by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), reflecting alignment with industry standards for landscape contracting education. The program culminates in a professional capstone internship, providing direct exposure to industry practices and expectations. Graduates pursue careers in management, design, landscape construction, and entrepreneurship, or continue into graduate programs such as a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA).
What Students Do
Students in the Landscape programs at SUNY Cobleskill develop the skills to design, build, maintain, and lead landscape projects from start to finish through applied coursework and field-based experiences.
In this program, students:
- Design residential and commercial landscapes
- Build and install landscape features and systems
- Maintain landscapes, including turfgrass and plant health
- Estimate costs, read contracts, and plan projects
- Develop horticultural skills in soils, plants, and pest management
- Manage crews, clients, and day-to-day landscape operations
B.T. students complete a 15-credit professional capstone internship with landscape companies across the Northeast and beyond. Internships are supported through industry connections, campus events, national career fairs, and professional networking.
Applied Learning & Industry Experience
- Annual participation in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC)
- Field trips to active job sites, projects, conferences, and firms
- Applied learning through labs, projects, and service learning
- Real-world projects with real clients
Skills & Coursework
Students build a broad skill set for careers in the landscape industry, including:
- Landscape Design & Graphics
- Landscape Construction, Irrigation & Surveying
- Soil Science, Botany & Plant Identification
- Arboriculture & Plant Health Care
- Integrated Pest Management
- Landscape Contracts, Estimating & Business Operations
- Client Relations & Project Management
- Snow & Ice Management
National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC)
Students have the opportunity to compete in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), the largest hands-on student competition and career event in the landscape industry.
The field is the test. Students demonstrate real-world skills, compete across applied events, and connect directly with industry employers.
Career Outcomes
The landscape industry offers a wide range of career opportunities across design, construction, maintenance, and business operations, supporting residential, commercial, and public projects. A degree in landscape contracting provides strong career mobility, with skills that translate across regions and markets. Graduates enter a field with consistent demand for skilled professionals and opportunities for advancement. Students also build professional connections through industry events, competitions, and networking opportunities throughout the program.
Graduates pursue careers across the landscape industry, including:
- Landscape Contracting & Construction
- Landscape Design & Landscape Architecture
- Landscape & Turfgrass Management
- Arboriculture & Tree Care
- Irrigation, Landscape Lighting & Water Features
- Snow & Ice Management
- Estate & Public Gardens
- Nursery & Plant Material Sales
- Business Ownership & Entrepreneurship
Build Your Path
The landscape programs support a wide range of interests and career directions within the landscape industry:
- Environmental Science → Ecological Restoration
- Natural Resources → Urban Forestry & Arboriculture
- Art & Design → Landscape Architecture
- Plant Science → Estate & Public Gardens
- Sustainability & Urban Living → Green Roofs & Interior Landscapes
- Business & Outdoor Work → Landscape Business Development
Graduate & Continuing Education Options
While many graduates enter the workforce directly, the program also supports continued education for those pursuing advanced roles or specialized fields.
- Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)*
- Graduate study in Horticulture or Plant Science
- Ecology or Restoration Ecology programs
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
*Qualified students may pursue a Master of Landscape Architecture through an established pathway with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Faculty
Timothy Marten
martente@cobleskill.edu
Tim Marten teaches in the Landscape Contracting and Landscape Development programs at SUNY Cobleskill, with a focus on landscape construction, design, estimating, contracts, landscape management, and industry preparation. His background includes professional practice in landscape design, ecological landscapes, landscape management, sales, account management, and business development, with teaching centered on applied skills, project-based learning, and career pathways in the landscape industry.
Students interested in the program are encouraged to reach out with questions about degree options, internships, career paths, or transfer opportunities.