By Randey Wall, NALP Accredited Degree Program
The Brigham Young Plant and Landscape Systems program received their National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Accreditation renewal in April 2023. The program submitted course information and completed an extensive self-study prior to the site evaluation by a team of professionals from education and industry.
The team determined that the program met or exceeded the standards established by NALP for Accredited Degree Programs and recognizes the university for their administration, faculty, and support personnel for their commitment to experiential learning, community outreach and mentoring of future leaders of the industry. The program will continue to receive the benefits of accreditation for the next seven years.
Brigham Young is a private research university located in Provo, Utah. It is classified as an R2: a Doctoral University with High Research Activity. The campus is comprised of approximately 700 acres with over 311 buildings. It is located along the picturesque mountains of the Wasatch Front.
The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The Plant and Landscape Systems program is structured within the College of Life Sciences and is one of the programs in the Plant and Wildlife Systems Department. Horticulture has been a part of the BYU curriculum since 1902. The program has evolved over the years and has been part of a variety of departments or colleges. The program was first accredited by the landscape association in 2003. Numerous changes have taken place since then to keep the course content and course offerings up-to-date with the needs of students and the landscape industry.
The Plant and Landscape Systems (PLS) program has six full-time faculty and two adjunct faculty. The faculty is highly qualified and active in research and publication as well as their respective professional organizations. Dr. Phil Allen and Professor Greg Jolley are the lead faculty and work extensively with students in the Plant and Landscape Systems (PALS) Club and the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) team. The team has placed first in the team competition four out of the last five times the competition was held. As many as 40 or more students in the program attend NCLC.
The PALS Club is also quite active in promoting educational and social activities for the students.
The PLS program offers a B.S. in Plant and Landscape Systems and a minor for students in other majors. The program has approximately 95 majors and 18 students who are minoring in the subject matter. PLS majors are encouraged to select a minor in business.
The primary focus of instruction is landscape management and business management. Horticulture science, turf management, landscape construction and landscape design support the primary focus. However, students may choose landscape design and go on to advanced studies in landscape architecture. Interior plants and floral design are offered as electives.
They receive classroom instruction and gain a significant amount of experience during a practicum course. The BYU Grounds Department supervises the practicum, which provides students with quality experiential learning in landscape management and construction. Students learn to operate equipment, maintain landscapes, and develop an understanding of workplace safety and supervision. The relationship between the PLS program and the Grounds Department is somewhat unique and considered a strength of the program. Before graduation, students participate in an internship with a landscape company and gain more experience. Students intern in companies throughout the United States.
Students at BYU have the opportunity to explore career options during the Landscape Career Connection program in the fall semester.
This event brings together students, alumni, industry and faculty for a three-day networking event. Numerous national landscape companies attend this event.
The PLS program is housed within the relatively new Life Sciences Building. Students have access to modern classrooms and laboratories.
There are numerous conference and study areas within easy access. The hallways and entrances are attractively adorned with interior plants that are maintained by students. The department also has a greenhouse complex located near the Life Science Building that has space for research, classes, and a conservatory. In addition, students have access to the large greenhouse complex of the Grounds Department in which gain experience.
The Plant and Landscape Systems program will host the 2024 National Collegiate Landscape Competition March 13-16 in Provo. The facilities are great and the views are incredible.
