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Course Details
Course Name: Designing and Installing Retaining Walls
Course Code: AL0206CA25
Date: February 5, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am)
Optional Outdoor Construction Days: April 1 & 2, 2025
Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course with optional hands-on outdoor construction days
Registration Fee: $270 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $245 per person (expires January 29, 2025)
Registration Closes: February 3, 2025
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Overview
This class is part of the Landscape Management II Certificate Program.
Retaining walls provide an excellent way to increase usable property space, control erosion, and provide aesthetic detail to a property. In this course, learn about the different types of walls and how to build them. Join instructor Alex Burke for design strategies, material selection, proper installation procedures, cost estimating techniques and more. Your retaining wall abilities will provide an added high value option to your existing client services offered.
Featured Topics
- Design Strategies
- Material Selection
- Proper Installation Procedures
- Cost Estimating Techniques
- And More!
Optional Outdoor Construction Days
If you attend this class, you can also participate in the optional construction days April 1 & 2, 2025, where you will build an actual paver project. Come and learn by doing, and get real hands-on experience!
Who Should Attend?
If you want to learn how to design and build retaining walls, this class is a great opportunity to develop those skills! Past participants have included:
- Gardeners
- Horticulturalists
- Landscape Architects
- Landscape Designers
- Landscape Field Supervisors
- Landscape Construction Professionals
- Landscape Contractors
- Landscape Gardeners
- Parks Supervisors / Crew Members
- Public Works Supervisors / Crew Members
Meet Your Instructor
Alex Burke, Burke Environmental
Alex is a third generation horticulturalist. When he was in high school he started his first business, Burke Lawn Services, mainly doing lawn maintenance. While still in high school, Alex became one of the youngest people ever to get his pesticide license from the State of New Jersey. After high school, Alex went on to Rutgers University, Cook College, where he received a degree in Environmental Planning and Design, with a concentration on seashore environments. After Alex graduated in 2000, he incorporated his business under a new name, Burke Environmental. Burke Environmental was founded as a landscape design, installation, maintenance company with a focus on Jersey Shore properties.
As Burke Environmental grew, so did the services it began to offer. Alex got his irrigation license and became certified in concrete pavers and retaining wall construction. In 2008, Alex began co-teaching the installation of concrete pavers course for Rutgers University. Alex now teaches several continuing education courses for Rutgers and guest lectures for the Department of Landscape Architecture. He is also a certified instructor for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). ICPI helps set the national standards for concrete pavers and is viewed as a nationally recognized certification. Alex is one of less than 75 ICPI instructors in all of North America.
Student Reviews
“This class teaches more useful information in 7 hours than years on the job.”
– Past Participant
“[I] Feel like I am ready to build a wall now; great course!”
– Past Participant
On instructor Alex Burke: “Alex displayed his knowledge in this field. Very informative and went at a perfect pace.”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
The most recent offering of Designing and Installing Retaining Walls (6.25 contact hours) was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.
The Designing and Installing Retaining Walls course (6.25 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 5 Technical and 1 Government CEUs (course #DLGS-RUCPE23-9)
Meals
No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.
NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.
Course Requirements and Policies
COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes
Please visit our policies page for the latest information.
Pre-registration/Walk-Ins
Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.
Location Changes
Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.
Campus Parking Policy
All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.
- A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
- When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
- All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Attention U.S. Veterans
This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Designing and Installing Retaining Walls, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu
Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
