This is the campus of Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland. Chesapeake's new associate degree in landscape architecture joins just a handful of associate degrees in the field.

This fall, Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland, a community college, will offer an associate degree program in landscape architecture, and one in landscape management.

Before developing the program, Greg Farley, director of the Chesapeake College Center for Leadership in Environmental Education, contacted industry professionals in the region to gauge interest for an associate degree program in landscape architecture. He reports area professionals enthusiastically supported the program.

Jess Murphy, owner of JM Landscapes & Associates www.jmlandscapesmd.com, and a graduate of the University of Georgia's master's degree program in landscape architecture, will teach the "Introduction to Landscape Architecture" course this fall. He likes the flexibility of the program, which will meet the needs of those who only want a two-year degree in landscape architecture, and those students who desire to transfer to a bachelor's program.

The new curriculum includes classes in graphic design, plant science, horticulture and landscape design. As with an associate degree, general education courses such as chemistry and English composition will also be required.

In addition to the two new associate's degree programs, Chesapeake offers a letter of recognition in land use management, a certificate in environmental monitoring and an associate's degree in environmental science.

Fall classes begin Aug. 25. For more information, visit chesapeake.edu.