PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & POLICIES

Revised: August 24, 2007

Note: You are required to print and sign this document then return it to the director on or before the first class meeting.

Program Components:

In order to receive the program certificate issued by the Sonoma State University School of Extended Education students must complete the following:

  1. Attend all 6 class sessions.
  2. Complete a student project.
  3. Complete the assigned class readings.

For additional information see the "Program Syllabus", "Program Overview" and "Program Brochure" on the www.sonoma.edu/sustainablelandscape website.

Starting Program:

There are no pre-requisites to enroll in the program and there is no formal application process.
Students can enter the program at any time, but it is recommended that students start either in January or July. Those months are the beginning of new program cycles.

Program Period:

Students have one year in which to complete all of the program requirements. A student's program period begins in the month that they first enroll to take classes and ends 12 months later. Students who do not complete all of the requirements within the one year period must restart the program and retake all of the class sessions.

Program Certificate:

To be awarded the certificate of completion students must attend all class sessions and receive a minimum of 70% on their student project. Students earning 90% and above on their student project will be awarded a "Certificate with Distinction".

Students who have completed all of the program requirements must request and submit the "Application for Awarding of Certificate" available from the Program Director. Certificates will be issued in January and July. Students who complete all of the requirements will earn a "Sustainable Landscape Accredited Professional" designation and may use the program logo on their company materials

Program Registration:

Students register and pay for each program class individually (see list below).
Program modules, the month and university semester in which they are offered are:

  1. Ecological Principles - January, Spring semester. July, Summer semester.
  2. Site Assessment & Development - February, Spring semester. August, Summer semester.
  3. Soils - March, Spring semester & September, Fall semester
  4. Water Resources - April, Spring semester & October, Fall semester.
  5. Plants & Plant Communities - May, Spring semester & November, Fall semester
  6. Maintenance & Infrastructure - June, Summer semester & December, Fall semester
  7. Student Project - June, Summer semester & December, Fall semester.

Registration can be completed online, http://www.sonoma.edu/exed/applyenroll/exedreg.html or by phone at (707) 664-2394. Students will need to obtain the class catalogue # and other registration information in order to complete the online registration form. This information is available at, www.sonoma.edu/exed under the pertinent semester catalogue page.

Missed Classes:

Students are allowed to make up 2 missed classes per program period by viewing the video archive that is posted on the www.sonoma.edu/sustainablelandscape website by month (under "student log-in). Student must write and submit electronically to faculty a 2-3 page (single-spaced) summary of the day's activities as viewed on the video archive. If a student misses more than 2 classes in a program period, then they have to register and attend the following cycle's same class session.

Student Project:

The objective of the project is to demonstrate a student's understanding and integration of the concepts covered in the program. Projects should focus on current and actual situations as much as possible and entail a minimum of 40 hours of individual work. Team projects are also encouraged and must reflect a total effort equivalent to the 60 hour minimum multiplied by the number of team members. Student projects will be due at the July and December class session or may be submitted for review prior to the end of the one-year program period. For additional information see "Student Project Guidelines" at, www.sonoma.edu/sustainablelandscape website. Project categories include:

  1. Design
  2. Construction
  3. Policy
  4. Research
  5. Education
  6. Civic Engagement
  7. Product Development

Submission of a written project report of 8 - 12 pages in length is required. The required length does not include any drawings, photographs or appendices. A printed and electronic version of the report must be submitted. Students can earn an additional 10% of available points by preparing an electronic (PowerPoint or similar) presentation for the Student Graduation event.

Reading Materials:

There will be assigned readings for all class sessions and they will be drawn from the "Class Reader". The "Class Reader" will be available from the Program Director and the cost will be approximately $30 - $40. For the first class session students are highly encouraged to purchase and read "XXX.