In the fall of 2022, the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture established career pathways in agronomy, horticulture, turfgrass science and management, and landscape design and management through a unified degree program called Plant and Landscape Systems (PLAS).
An external review of the academic programs in Agronomy and Horticulture recognized overlap in the programs the department delivered to prepare students for careers in plant production and landscape systems. This Academic Program Review (APR) in 2017 encouraged the department to 1.) create core experiences for all students, 2.) attract new audiences while retaining the traditional audience, and 3.) allow students to tailor their degree program to meet their academic and professional goals. These recommendations combined with a desire to take advantage of the breadth of plant system management expertise in the department motivated the development of the PLAS major.
The major and options were developed over a course of three years through systematic identification of program outcomes, review of courses, market analysis, retreats, listening sessions and feedback (internal and external). The new PLAS major in Agronomy and Horticulture was crafted based on these priorities to prepare our students for careers in plant and landscape systems.
- Establishing core experiences and courses for all students, including augmenting the number of internship or experiential learning requirements students need to connect classroom learning and professional experiences.
- Creating options or specializations in agronomy, horticulture, turfgrass science and management, or landscape design and management (designated on the transcript) to maintain the essence and traditions of our previous degree programs (agronomy, horticulture, turfgrass and landscape management.)
- Keeping key discipline-specific courses in the previous majors as required courses in the new PLAS program to stay relevant to our traditional audiences but also broadening the appeal of the program to other audiences by creating a program name that is more recognizable to urban and underrepresented audiences.
- Empowering students to choose emphases and/or minors that build on the foundational knowledge relevant to their career pathways.
The overarching goal of the PLAS program is to meet the increasing workforce needs as projected by both Nebraska and national statistics by preparing students to be competent, confident, and adapting professionals in their career pathways in agronomy, horticulture, turfgrass science and management, and landscape design and management.
The degree program is fully outlined on the departmental website to help students lay out the courses available but also clarify career pathways associated with each option. The website also has additional resources including FAQs for prospective and current students.
The four possible career pathways include Agronomy, Horticulture, Turfgrass Science and Management, and Landscape Design and Management.
