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Michigan
State University Institute of Agricultural Technology and Grand Rapids Community
College
Welcome to the program! This guide is intended to provide
you with answers to the most commonly asked questions students have as they
work toward completing the Landscape Management program.
You are encouraged to meet regularly with an academic advisor to plan courses
and review your objectives. Please note that ultimately you, and not your
advisor, are responsible for meeting the requirements for graduation.
Program Description
The MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology has offered "short courses"
in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for over 100 years.
These short courses have developed into highly focused certificate programs
in a variety of fields, including these two on-campus programs: Landscape/Nursery
and Turfgrass Management. These on-campus certificate programs require
from 48-54 credits.
The Landscape Management program in Grand Rapids offers this same
type of specialized curriculum. But it differs from the two previously mentioned
on-campus programs in several significant ways. First, it allows you to
combine horticulture courses with business courses and simultaneously earn
both a MSU Certificate and a GRCC Associate degree. Second, it provides
a somewhat less intensively focused curriculum in the plant sciences area,
but supplements this with a business emphasis. In the landscape and nursery
industry, many employers and alumni testify to the significance of sound
business knowledge in managing their companies. And third, it brings MSU
courses to you without the need for commuting to East Lansing.
MSU offers two courses each Fall and Spring semester in Grand Rapids. Classes
are held in the evening at locations near the GRCC campus. Some classes
are offered by CODEC, an interactive television system that connects you
to the best instructors and widest range of elective courses possible. You
meet your classmates in a special CODEC classroom that has this TV-like
technology, where you both see and hear your instructor. Likewise, your
instructor is able to answer your questions and speak to you directly. Other
classes are taught on-site by MSU faculty. You may also connect to campus
resources by computer from home or from our office at MSU-West. As a Spartan,
youšll receive a mainframe account with access to e-mail, the internet and
library resources.
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Choosing Credentials
This program meets your needs by offering you a choice of course "package"
options. Either complete the requirements for the MSU Certificate, or take
the full complement of courses and earn the GRCC Associate degree.
The MSU Certificate is widely recognized by professionals in the Landscape
and Turfgrass industries, and there is great demand for graduates of this
program. This option is best for you if you want to gain immediate employment
in the industry, or improve your credentials for professional development.
The GRCC Associate degree requires only 18 credit hours in addition to the
MSU Certificate requirements. These additional courses are in business,
math and english. While all students are encouraged to complete these requirements,
they are most beneficial if you are interested in owning your own business
or plan to continue your education at a four-year institution.
Please see the program brochure for a complete listing of required courses
for each option.
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Admission and Enrollment
Since you'll actually be taking courses from two institutions, you'll need
to be admitted to the Landscape Management program through both MSU
and GRCC. The application, registration procedures, tuition and fees are
administered independently by each institution. All high school graduates
are eligible to apply. The following information concerns enrolling for
MSU courses, for a summary of GRCC procedures see the program brochure or
GRCC catalog.
Applying to the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology
Complete an application for admission to the Institute of Agricultural Technology,
including a $30 application fee, and mail it to the East Lansing address
on the form. You'll also have to contact your high school and/or other post-secondary
institution to request they send an official transcript to MSU. You'll receive
a student number so you can register for classes by phone. There's no need
to ever come to East Lansing! And remember, you'll have the assistance of
an academic advisor from MSU who is a professional horticulturist and can
advise you in choosing courses and making career decisions.
Please complete your MSU application for admission by July 1 for fall semester
or by November 1 for spring semester admission. Students who wish to apply
after the deadline should contact the program coordinator.
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MSU Course Schedule and Offerings
MSU-West regularly publishes a course schedule that is mailed to everyone
participating in credit courses in Grand Rapids. The course schedule announces
class-meeting dates, times and locations, registration deadlines and dates
for academic advising. You may use telephone or computer enrollment to register
for classes. If you are in need of assistance in registering, please contact
the MSU-West office. (The phone number and address are listed at the end
of this information.)
Advising
The MSU Program Coordinator is available for personal advising at the MSU-West
office in Grand Rapids prior to registration for each semester. Call MSU-West
to schedule an afternoon or evening appointment. You are encouraged to meet
regularly with an academic advisor to plan courses and review your objectives.
Please note that ultimately you, and not your advisor, are responsible for
meeting the requirements for graduation.
Transferring Previous College Credits to MSU
You may be able to transfer credits earned from other institutions to help
satisfy some MSU course requirements. Have official transcripts forwarded
from previous colleges for evaluation when you apply for admission. Courses
that cover similar content will be accepted in transfer if the grade received
was a C (2.0) or better. Up to 24 transfer credits may be applied toward
completion of the MSU Certificate.
Academic Standards
A passing grade must be earned in each required and elective course. You'll
need to maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average in order to remain in
good academic standing, and to graduate.
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Internships (Placement Training)
A professional internship is required for the Certificate. The internship
places you in a professional learning environment that challenges your ability
to combine knowledge and "hands-on" mastery, and your interpersonal and
professional skills. You'll earn credit for supervised on-the-job training.
Employers are eager to hire MSU graduates, in part because of the field
experience youšll take to that first job. Internships are individualized,
and are as diverse as our students. You'll have flexibility in scheduling
and employment options. You must enroll for at least one credit of internship,
but may take up to six. Usually, each credit translates into one month of
full-time employment in the industry. You may prefer to spend your tuition
dollars on electives, and take only one or two credits of AT 099. Or, by
applying more internship credits toward your certificate you'll be able
to complete the program faster.
Generally, you'll obtain your own employment and negotiate wages and work
schedule. We require that both you and your employer complete a written
agreement, outlining the terms of employment and expectations. Then, you'll
report monthly to your advisor and receive regular feedback from your supervisor.
You can expect a personal visit from your advisor during the time you're
employed.
You're encouraged to seek new or expanded work opportunities for your internship
rather than return to familiar employers. If you own your own business we
can negotiate a series of independent projects, which will help you satisfy
this requirement. The best internships are planned long in advance and benefit
from the counsel of your academic advisor.
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Completing the Program
At the end of the last semester of study, credits, must be transferred from
GRCC to MSU in order for the Certificate requirements to be met. Your diploma
will arrive within a few weeks afterwards. Similarly, MSU credits, which
apply to the Associate degree, must be transferred to GRCC. Transcripts
cost only a few dollars, and are sent directly from one institution to the
other. Copies released to you will not be accepted by either school.
For more information please contact:
 Mr. Marcus Duck
(517) 355-5191
ext. 351 |