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What is Horticulture?

Horticulture is the area of study and employment that revolves around the growth and care of plants in both large and small scale for the purposes of food, vegetation, or medicinal purposes. Individuals in this field will incorporate a variety of principles and sciences in order to effectively perform their tasks and duties, including land management, landscaping design, irrigation systems, plant care and therapy and more.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$62,920

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

41.09%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

36,100

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Horticulture Degree

One of the oldest public universities in the USA, the UGA was founded in 1785 through a legislature started by Gov. Lyman Hall. Its main campus in Athens, Georgia spans about 762 acres with satellite campuses in Atlanta and Lawrenceville. Moreover, the university has partnerships through different institutions with research centers in Oxford, England, Cortona, Italy, and Monteverde, Costa Rica. Having a highly selective student admission, annual enrollments could take about 38,000 including undergraduate and post-graduate studies. Notable alumni in this university include top-ranked government officials, CEOs of 500 Fortune Companies, and New York Times bestseller authors. 

Under the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the BS Horticulture degree is an undergraduate program aimed to teach its students sustainable growing of fruits, herbs, and plants. Moreover, cultivation technologies and techniques will be taught to conserve resources and breed efficient plants. This four-year course will consist of basic science core in the first two years and the remaining will focus on hands-on training and horticulture courses. Financial aid and scholarships are available and will be given to deserving students qualified for it. After graduation, career opportunities mostly revolve around related careers to nature and planting. 

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Also called NC State or NCSU, this public university was established in 1887 as an exclusive school for military exercises and agricultural learning. Otherwise, as time passes by, the school has grown into a university with 106 available bachelor's degrees, 104 master's degrees, and 61 doctoral degrees. The largest university in the Carolinas states, this 2110 acre institution sits in the urban Raleigh, North Carolina with over 36,000 students enrolled in it. Most notable alumni in this university include high ranked government and corporate officials, athletes, and science scholars. 

The Horticulture Science degree of NC State provides extensive hands-on training and research activities with plant cultivation, entrepreneurship, and breeding. The institution currently offers an undergraduate bachelor's program, an associate degree that could be taken for two years, and a 15 credit hours undergraduate certificate. Apart from that, the department provides an opportunity for students to undergo internships, take international/local travels, and enter any clubs/societies. 

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Founded in 1889, this public research university started as an agricultural college before it expanded to become a university. The second-largest university in South Carolina, it stands about 1400 acres on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in suburban Clemson, South Carolina. Apart from that, the university preserves the 17,500-acre Experimental Forest as a research and recreational park. Currently, it admits over 26,000 students of which 20,000 are undergraduate and 6,000 are graduate students. Ranked twenty-first amongst the national public universities in the USA, this university is organized into seven colleges with more than 80 undergraduate majors and 130 graduate degree programs. 

Part of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, the top ranked degree in Horticulture imparts a curriculum exposing the students to plant propagation, soil science, and landscape design. Along with that, students could take minor courses in various fields including entomology, urban forestry, and agricultural business management to enhance their knowledge of horticulture. Outdoor activities for this program include utilizing the wide experimental forest, Walker Golf Course, and the arboretum on several of its courses. 

Acceptance Rate

51.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

This public land-grant university was founded in 1876 at College Station, Texas. It’s the only university in Texas offering courses that focus on land, sea, and space. One of the largest in the USA, its main campus spans 5,500 acres which admit about 70,000 students annually. It comprises 17 academic colleges and schools offering more than 130 undergraduate degrees and 268 graduate and professional degrees for study. Apart from that, it has 18 research institutes and the highly recognized George Bush Presidential Library. 

Part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Department of Horticultural Sciences offers two undergraduate and three graduate degrees to its students. The four years BA Horticulture and BS Horticulture are degrees offered separately to focus on the entrepreneurship and science of plant cultivation. Moreover, it offers two master's degrees intended for two undergraduate programs and a doctoral degree. Anyone taking horticulture as a minor has a lot of courses to choose from including biotechnology, nursery management, and landscape design.

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Also known as UMass Amherst, this public land grant university was founded in 1863 as an agricultural college. The largest amongst five universities under the University of Massachusetts system, it's primarily located in Amherst with a size spanning 1460 acres. It’s the third-largest university in Massachusetts with an annual enrollment of more than 30,000 students. Its system is organized into nine schools and colleges offering academic degrees in 109 undergraduate, 77 masters, and 48 doctoral programs. Notable alumni in this university include 4 Nobel Prize laureates, Pultizer prize recipients, Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award winners. 

One of the best agricultural colleges in the world, the Stockbridge School of Agriculture offers Horticultural Science majors for prospective students who want to venture a career path in horticulture. A four-year undergraduate and a one to two-year associate degree programs could be chosen by potential students. The 73 to 84 credit hours BS Horticultural Science will deal with an in-depth understanding of plant cultivation practices and techniques including breeding, sustainability, pest management, and greenhouse landscape. Otherwise, the associate program is designed for basic learning and technical programs with hands-on training and internships. 

Acceptance Rate

63.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Established in 1884, this public university is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by a lawyer and Baptist minister named Russell Conwell. Throughout Pennsylvania state, it has six campuses with the largest in North Philadelphia which occupies about 164 acres. Apart from that, this university has international branches in Japan and Rome. This non-denominational university admits over 40,000 students which consist of undergraduates and postgraduates. A research-centered institution, this university is divided into 15 colleges and schools with more than 500-degree programs being offered. Renowned graduates from this university include the actor Bill Crosby and celebrity photographer Jeff Kravitz. 

Under the School of Art and Architecture, the BS Horticulture is a major degree studied for two years requisite of taking the core requisite courses. It’s a 124 credit program centering on plant physiology, cultivation, and greenhouse landscaping. An option also is to take the Associate degree for Horticulture which could span for two years. Otherwise, there are two academic plans to consider depending on the current status. Respectively, these two 60 credit courses include the General Horticulture and Horticulture for Business.

Acceptance Rate

60.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

For more than 150 years since its establishment in 1866, this public university is the largest university system in the state of New Hampshire with two existing campuses. Its main campus, located in the town of Durham, Concord measures 2,600 acres. Moreover, it's only nine minutes to the Atlantic Ocean and 60 minutes from Boston. This campus comprises nine out of eleven colleges and schools, offering 2000 courses in more than 100 majors. Combining all the campuses, the university system has about 15,000 students enrolled and more than 120 academic staff. 

The University of New Hampshire has an extension program in Agriculture and Horticulture that provides training and consultations aided by specialists for those who want to know more about pest, soil, and plant diagnostics. In addition, UNH offers a minor course in Environmental Horticulture is offered that will provide basic information on the science of plant cultivation.  Nonetheless, for those opting for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, an alternative option would be majoring in plant biology or agricultural science. 

Acceptance Rate

84.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

This public research university started in 1870 as an agricultural college. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU admits about 34,000 students including 26,000 undergraduates and 7,000 postgraduates. It has over 5,000 academic staff scattered into eight colleges and fifty-five academic departments. Being a premier university in the Colorado State University System, it’s a highly regarded research university with accomplishments in areas of cancer treatment, crops research, and animal health. Amongst 170,000 alumni of this university, several have become successful and have become Pulitzer winners, astronauts, CEOs, and top-ranked government officials. 

The major in Horticulture is an intensive two-year curriculum that applies the scientific principles of growing, processing,  and utilizing fruits, vegetables, and other types of plants. Upon taking this program, it's designed with five concentrations of study which includes floriculture, horticulture food crops, and horticulture therapy. Graduates seek advanced studies or employment in various sectors including the production and service industry. 

Acceptance Rate

81.35

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

This private Lutheran university was opened in 1881 through the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Located in Mequon, Wisconsin, this institution is part of the eight-member school operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Its 200-acre campus is uniquely designed with indoor walkways or tunnels that connect each academic building. It's organized into five schools or colleges offering 78 undergraduate majors and minors, 17 graduate programs, and 3 doctoral programs. It’s a growing institution, doubling its enrollment in 2018 with about 7,700 students. This university is the largest Lutheran university in the USA. 

Collaborating with the Milwaukee Technical College for its hands-on and immersion training, this 126 credit BS Horticulture degree is completed after four years of study of environmental ethics, environmental law, and environmental science. Moreover, the study will emphasize plant health care, maintenance, and landscape design. Also, a two-year associate degree is offered with most classes conducted in its affiliated school. Potential career options after graduation include landscape designer, arborist, grounds manager, and many more. This program accepts financial aids, grants, and scholarships given by the federal government. 

Acceptance Rate

64.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

This private Seventh-day Adventist affiliated university is situated in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It's originally founded in 1874, named Battle Creek College. This institution was the first college established by the Seventh Day Adventist and most likely, the largest institution created today by this Christian denomination. Its campus spans about 1,600 acres with a yearly student enrollment of about 3,500. The university is organized into eight schools or colleges with 130 undergraduate majors and 70 graduate majors being offered. Also, a theological seminary is established to prepare ministers for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 

One of the programs served by the Department of Sustainable Agriculture, the Horticulture Certification is a supplement course that could be taken by its students. It’s a 14 credit certificate course that will provide students information on how to cultivate and maintain plants and might as well, teach students how to choose foods to eat to improve their health. In the later part of the course, an internship and research activities will be given to extending its knowledge on the most practical applications. Multi-varied career opportunities could be taken after graduation. This includes the fields of production, marketing, teaching, and research. 

Acceptance Rate

67.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

This non-profit private institution offers diploma majors and associate degrees to its students. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, its short-term training is mostly funded through financial aid, scholarships, and student grants. Established for more than 50 years, this small school admits about 120 undergraduate students per enrollment. Acceptance of students is quite strict with a rate of 67% to 70%. Currently, the training center has six available majors and two associate degrees with seven months to a year of education. 

The horticulture technology degree is an intensive training course that lasts for about 8 months. Its courses are designed to prepare students for a career in the field of horticulture. Apart from its knowledgeable lecture, hands-on training is given with the integration of sustainability, green technologies, and certain industry procedures in the horticulture sector. A 40,000 square feet greenhouse complex will serve as a learning facility for students admitting to this course. The curriculum of this program includes taxonomy, botany, greenhouse production, and specialty crops. 

Acceptance Rate

88.52

Tuition

$12,000 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Also referred to as SUNY Farmingdale, this college is a public technology institution located in East Farmingdale, New York. It was established in 1912 as an agricultural college and has continuously grown throughout the years. Its 380-acre suburban campus has a student enrollment of about 9,200 and a full-time academic staff of about 220. This college offers four schools or colleges in more than 45 academic programs. Its an environmentally friendly and highly sustainable institution with technologies such as Solar Energy Center and Smart Energy House being established. 

The 64 credit General Horticulture degree is an associate in applied science degree accomplished in less than a year. Its curriculum is designed as an introductory course on plant identification, entomology, and soil science. Moreover, the student could choose three electives in any related studies such as greenhouse management, plant propagation, and landscape construction. Employment opportunities could be successfully applied in various fields such as gardening, botanical garden or park managing, research, sales and marketing, and entrepreneurship. 

Acceptance Rate

54.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Recently accredited as a university, this private Catholic university is located in Yankton, South Dakota. This Benedictine school was established in 1936 through the efforts of the sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery. It spans about 80 acres in the rural community of only 15,000 people. Moreover, it has satellite campuses in Watertown and Sioux Falls. This liberal arts college has six existing departments with 21 undergraduate major programs, 3 associate degree programs, and 5 certificate programs. It accepts anyone regardless of faith in the university. Currently, the university admits over 1100 students from 25 states and 5 foreign countries. 

The various programs offered at Mount Marty College help to equip students  with learning skills to understand the fundamentals of genetics, horticulture, botany, and zoology. It’s an excellent program for those opting for a career in medical school or masters in any field such as horticulture. Apart from that, a guaranteed acceptance for a doctoral program in Pharmacy through its partnership with Larkin University’s College of Pharmacy has given excellent academic records. 

Acceptance Rate

71.61

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

This public research university was established in 1862 through the Morrill Act. Its 261-acre campus is situated in the rural community of Brookings, South Dakota. Apart from its main campus, it has two other campuses located in the same state. It’s South Dakota’s largest university holding about 12,000 students and 670 academic staff annually. It’s a highly accredited institution with seven schools or colleges providing more than 175 academic programs. Ranks amongst the best universities in the Midwest region, this university is mostly known in the fields of agricultural science, biological science, and engineering. Notable alumni in this university include high ranked government officials, CEOs, scientists, inventors, and Nobel laureate awardees. 

One of the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Sciences academic programs, the BS Horticulture is a 120 credit program focusing on crop studies, management, and landscape design.  Moreover, the program consists of four concentrations which are production emphasis, business emphasis, food crop emphasis, and science emphasis. For those learning only online, a professional certificate will just be given to students finishing the course. Also, a minor course in horticulture could be taken as a supplement course for other related programs. 

Acceptance Rate

90.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

This public university started in 1865 through a land grant as mandated by the Morrill Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln. It’s a highly acclaimed university, only a few for which providing space, sea, and land-related courses. Maine’s largest university, it spans about 660 acres with a student enrollment of over 11,500 including undergraduate and graduate studies. UMaine is organized into five schools or colleges with more than 90 undergraduate programs being offered. Apart from that, it's one of only a few universities in the USA offering doctoral programs in clinical psychology and other related programs such as developmental psychology and behavioral neuroscience. Consequently, this university is the birthplace of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. 

Part of the School of Food and Agriculture, the Environmental Horticulture program is a 120 credit course with four specializations including business, landscape design, sustainable horticulture, and turfgrass management. Some of these specializations require transfers from partnered universities, internships, and even field trips to various landscapes or horticultural centers in the state. It’s a highly comprehensive program with hands-on activities, lectures, and a community of approachable faculty and students. Upon graduation, it's expected that one is equipped with sufficient skills in managing ornamental plants in public, residential landscapes, and greenhouses. 

Acceptance Rate

90.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Also referred to as Delhi State College, this public college was established first in 1913 as an agricultural school. Not until the 1960s, the institution expanded to offer more programs of study including business, refrigeration, and construction. Located in the town of Delhi, New York, its 625-acre campus admits over 3,000 students taking certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. It comprises five academic schools offering over 60 programs of study including 46 two-year associate degrees, 20 bachelor's, and 2 master's degrees. It has accredited online programs with several courses recommended by some critics for studying in terms of quality, cost, and flexibility. 

The Horticulture Science AAS program is a two-year 64 credit course designed for students to develop a fundamental understanding of the science and principles of horticulture. Additionally, it helps students to assess real-life situations and resolve any potential problems that could occur. A one on one student to faculty is nearly experienced with its small-sized classes. It also includes internship programs and hands-on training activities through updated equipment and facilities. For those pursuing advanced degrees, an opportunity to proceed in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Management, Horticulture, and other related programs could be taken. 

Acceptance Rate

72.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Established in 1908, this public college was named after the University of Georgia’s first president. Originally as the Georgia State College for Men, this university changed its name after becoming part of the University of Georgia system. Its 400-acre campus is located in the rural area of Tifton, Georgia. Student enrollment in ABAC is at 2,200 including undergraduate and associate degree programs. It houses four schools with programs distributed mostly in the School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. Popular majors to take in this college includes Nursing, Architecture, and Agriculture. 

The Environmental Horticulture degree program consists of three existing tracks, including Turfgrass Science, Turfgrass, and Golf Course Management, and Turf and Ornamental. All of these tracks require 39 semester hours or 120 credit hours with only 12 credit hour differences intended for its concentration course. Employment opportunities upon admission to this program are available in green fields and industries including landscape and ground management, professional lawn care, and agricultural research. For those opting to take a minor course in Environmental Horticulture, 9 to 15 credit hours could be taken to earn sufficient knowledge on the study. 

Acceptance Rate

73.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Formerly known as New York City Technical College, this public college was established in 1946 to address the need for education after the economic failure due to the occurrence of World War II. Organized into three academic divisions, the college offers over 27 associate and 26 baccalaureate degree programs which uniquely are created with specialized technological instruction and liberal arts and sciences education. City Tech is located in the urban Downtown Brooklyn, New York occupying supertall nine buildings, one of which is as tall as 65 floors. It admits more than 17,000 students and has about 400 full-time teaching faculty. Notable alumni in this college include several television personalities, chefs, and businessmen.

Acceptance Rate

87.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Started in 1919 as a vocational training program exclusively for veterans, this institution has extended its services to everyone else in 1932 through the efforts of Thomas Everett. Situated in the Bronx, New York, this school is an exclusive horticulture major admitting more than 30 students per enrollment. This research institute’s experimental greenhouse is the vast New York Botanical Gardens for which various plant species were being cultivated. 

The School of Professional Horticulture offers a two-year full-time certificate program for potential students interested in the science of horticulture. This program is designed to equip the students with sufficient knowledge of the proper way of growing plants, breeding, and apply sustainable technologies to increase efficiency. Also, the curriculum features hands-on training and internships to assess potential future on this career path. After graduation, students will receive a Diploma in Horticulture for which could be used with various employment opportunities. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

2:1

Founded in 1967, this public college is situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It’s a small college offering more than 20 certificate and associate degree programs. Its courses could range from as short as eight-month to about four years of education. Known programs for which most students enrolled are health care related courses such as Physical Therapy Technician, Practical Nursing, and EMT Paramedic. Moreover, this college provides evening and online classes for those who can’t take the typical schedule of classes.

Taken for two to three semesters or about one year, the Landscape Horticulture Certificate program is designed to help students gain knowledge and practical skills on plant cultivation including ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, vines, and other types of plants.  Additionally, an option to enroll for another year of study to specialize in certain areas including landscape installation, and management. It has a greenhouse facility to allow hands-on training upon entering the program. After graduation, an opportunity will be given to be certified as a Missouri licensed nursery and landscape professional. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$8,400 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Started as an industrial education center in 1962, this community college consists of fully accredited two-year academic programs in various field disciplines. Situated in rural South Grantsboro, North Carolina, PCC was created to serve the growing population of Pamlico County. Currently, this institution offers more than 14 associate degree programs and provides certificates to continuing education and public safety and emergency management-related programs. With a 9 is to 1 student-teacher ratio, the college provides intensive hands-on training to its students. It admits about 500 students on a per-semester basis.  

The Horticulture certificate program features various courses in agriculture, gardening, and landscaping that could be accomplished after only a few weeks of study. It has six existing certificate programs for study in horticulture of which all could be accessible on the Grantsboro campus. New available courses in their basic horticulture certificate program include Sustainable Agriculture and Edible Landscaping which has a registration fee of about $180. These practical courses will prepare students and hobbyists who want to venture into the field of horticulture. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Situated in Aurora, Colorado, this technical college aims to prepare its students for post-secondary education and at the same time, to equip them with necessary skills to be ready for potential job placement. Its programs are structured in six academic divisions of which the most popular programs include Automotive Mechanics and Medical Assistant. Moreover, the technical college provides flexible online certificates to selected programs of study. It’s a highly accredited school providing financial aid and scholarships with partnerships amongst higher education institutions and government agencies.

The Urban Horticulture and Landscape Management Program explores opportunities in urban landscaping design and management with key courses in interior plants, soil science, and green industry equipment. This 52 credit hour certificate program could be accomplished for only four semesters (two years) of study. The program includes six greenhouses for complete immersion in plant propagation and management. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

Tracing back its roots in 1930, the college system started on its first campus in Bogalusa through local funding generated by its citizens to provide woodworking and automobile mechanics training. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) was established in 1999 to bring together all state’s community colleges and technical centers. Located in various areas in Louisiana, the total number of campuses incorporated in this system is about 53. Amongst its campuses, one of the best technical training institutions is the Central Louisiana Technical Community College located in Alexandria, Louisiana. The CLTC offers more than 36 programs serving about 1600 students per semester. 

The two year Forest Technology certificate program at Louisiana Technical College prepares students to gain credentials in timber management, reforestation strategies, forest inventory and surveys, and forest fire fighting. The 61 credit hour curriculum has two exit points after accomplishing 20 and 39 credit hour courses taking assisting roles in forest harvesting and planting. A 2.0-grade requirement per semester must each student obtain to proceed and graduate from this program. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

26:1

This career technology center is scattered into six locations within the Oklahoma metropolitan area. It conducts training and offers career programs for high school students, adults, and provides customized training for several businesses. Established in 1979, this institution was built as an initiative by the people of Oklahoma for a career and technology center. It consists of 104 career majors and 500 short term and online courses in all of its existing locations. Apart from that, other services include business and career consultations, employment centers, and ESL reviews are provided by this institution. 

A sub-unit program on the Agriculture Food and Natural Services section, the Horticulture certification is a comprehensive lecture and hands-on training program that allows its students to learn the fundamentals of plant cultivation, floral design, and greenhouse landscaping. Moreover, the short course will teach its students entrepreneurial skills and management. Potential business startup, employment, or certification could be taken after finishing the program. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$6,679 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

This public technical college is originally an air force training facility back in World War I and II. Not until 1948, the trade school was established in South Georgia. It further changed its name as a technical college in 1988 through a legislative act. Its 1000 acre campus is located in the small town of Americus, Georgia with more than 2,000 students enrolled. Otherwise, it's only 2.5 hours away from the state’s capital, Atlanta. It has two existing campuses offering more than 50 associate degrees and professional development courses in its 36 departments. 

SGTC’s Horticulture program offered only on its main campus comprises courses that will provide learning opportunities and technical knowledge on the foundations of horticulture and landscape management. Its 60-credit hour curriculum is structured with General Core Courses and Occupational Courses with specializations in General Horticulture and Landscaping. Along with that, a 44-credit hour curriculum for a diploma in horticulture is also offered in this college. Job career placements in any related industry and higher education studies are available for students enrolled in this program. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Top Horticulture Degrees

The number of degree programs in horticulture is pretty amazing.  From certificate programs through PhD programs, students will have a large number of degree types to choose from in the field of study.  In addition to the traditional classroom-based degree programs, many schools continue to add online horticulture degrees to help meet student and employer demand.  If interested in learning more about distance learning or online degree options in horticulture, simply visit the schools on this resource page or get matched using our proprietary matching system.

Certificate Programs in Horticulture

Earning a certificate in horticulture from an accredited college or university will generally take less than a year to complete.  For full-time students, the program can be compressed to a few months while part-time students will take longer to complete the program.  A certificate in horticulture is designed to provide students with the basics to start a career in the field in a number of entry-level positions.  Coursework may include the following: principles of horticulture, horticulture pest management, deciduous landscape plants, computer applications, evergreen landscape plants, interior plants, and herbaceous ornamental plants.

Associate Degrees in Horticulture

An associate degree in horticulture is a 2-year program for full-time students and will take longer for part-time students as a function of course load and program pace.  The associate degree in horticulture will be conferred as an Associate of Science (AS) or Associated of Applied Science (AAS) dependent upon the school’s program and accreditation requirements.  Associate degrees blend general education courses such as English, creative writing, communications, and philosophy with core science classes to provide students with a well-rounded set of tools.  Core classes in horticulture typically include the following: plant biology, herbaceous ornamental plants, principles of horticulture, indoor plants, horticulture marketing, horticulture pest management, evergreen plants, deciduous plants, and operations management.  Courses will vary from school to school as some colleges offer horticulture studies in conjunction with the following areas of concentration: landscape design & management, nursery & greenhouse production, sustainable crops, architectural landscaping, turfgrass management, and floristry.

Bachelor Degrees in Horticulture

A bachelor’s degree in horticulture will be most frequently conferred as a Bachelor of Science or BS degree from colleges and universities.  The bachelor’s degree is a 4-year program that combines additional general education courses plus additional core curriculum when compared to an associate’s degree program.  Coursework will vary from program to program as the emphasis may differ from region to region.  Sample classes at the bachelor’s degree level may include: plant science, entomology, agronomy, plant soils, technical writing, economics, fundamentals of agriculture, crop physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and weed science.

Master Degrees in Horticulture

The online master’s degree in horticulture can be conferred as a Master of Agriculture (MAg) or Master of Science (MS) depending on the course work involved in the program.  A horticulture master’s degree will generally take 2-3 years of full-time work to complete with part-time students taking longer.  In many programs, students will have the option to select a thesis or non-thesis path towards degree completion.  The thesis path offers fewer courses but an extensive research project while the non-thesis path will require additional classes in the field of study in lieu of preparing a thesis.  A graduate degree in horticulture will typically involve research, problem-solving skill development, and internship opportunities in the field.

Doctorate Degrees in Horticulture

A doctorate degree in horticulture is a PhD degree that is often found in a course catalog as a Doctor of Philosophy.  The PhD degree is known as a terminal degree in the academic world as there are no additional degrees beyond the doctoral degree.  Earning a doctorate degree in horticulture will take 4-6 years of matriculation as a function of credit requirements of the school, student pace, and time invested to complete the dissertation project.  Students earning a PhD can expect to join the workforce in a research capacity, teaching position, or administrative role in a variety of industries associated with the horticulture discipline.

Educational Requirements for Horticulturists

Most entry level horticulture positions require individuals to have at least a bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field. Individuals will study a variety of courses during a four year period in order to receive the necessary education prior to being granted their degree. As horticulture is a multi-discipline field, a student will study several sciences and principles. Professions that involve education or research will most likely require a master's degree which includes two years of additional study and allows for greater specialization.

A curriculum may include:

Employment Opportunities for Horticulturists

Careers for individuals with a degree in horticulture can vary greatly based on the interests of the individual. From small scale nurseries, rare plant conservation, research and development, education, to large scale cultivation, farming and growth. Individuals will seek the type of employment that best reflects their interests and specialization, such as floriculture, olericulture, and pomology, particularly if graduate level education is pursued. Opportunities may be limited in some areas, and thus require flexibility regarding location.

Top Jobs in Horticulture

If you are curious to learn where horticulturists work, we have assembled a list of jobs in the field. Graduates from a horticulture program can find themselves teaching or performing research for public or private organizations across the country. Additional vocations are listed below to help prospective students better understand the industry and potential jobs in the industry. A list of the top jobs in horticulture include:

  • Retail & Wholesale Operations. Blending business with technical know-how in the retail or wholesale operations is a popular vocation. Duties include: selling fresh vegetables, organic fruits, seeds, flowers, indoor plants, nursery stock, or floral arrangements.
  • Procurement. Students with an eye for business may find themselves working for a small or large organization purchasing flowers, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and similar items to be sold to consumers or retailers.
  • Public Garden Manager. Working in a public garden will give a horticulturist a blend or working with both plants and people. Duties include: managing landscapes and plant collections in a public garden or a public conservatory.
  • Research. Investing your time and energy to find novel ways to increase crop yield, crop quality, plant nutrition, plant growth, or plant breeding can be an exciting and fulfilling vocation. Research may extend into business operations by innovating storage, marketing, and methods of an organization.
  • Teaching. Some students graduate from a horticulture program and remain in academics teaching others the finer points of the industry. From research organizations to colleges to high schools, teachers are in demand and will remain a vital component of our economy.
  • Consultant.Being employed or contracted to perform specific activities as a consultant may be a viable career for many graduates. Examples of consultant work can include plant or regionally specific research projects, product development, sales, or technical services for retail organizations, schools, distributors, manufacturers, fertilizer companies, farm equipment companies, or seed companies.
  • Inspector.A job as an inspector can help maintain or improve the quality and safety of consumable foods. Inspectors can work for private organizations or government organizations of all types.
  • Landscape Manager.A trained horticulturist can find work designing, constructing, and installing residential or commercial landscape projects. Technical skills include understand plant types, blueprints, soils, bidding, project management, sales, hardscapes, and business operations.
  • Arborist. Arborists focus energy to specialize in trees and woody plants. An arborist can manage projects, render professional opinions for government agencies, plant trees, conduct research, identifying tree species, and organizing collections. An arborist can work for a parks department, government agency, college, botanical garden, research firm, theme park, resort, nursery, utility company, or tree service organization.
  • Horticulture Therapist. A horticulture therapist uses plant knowledge with therapy techniques to help humans maintain a balanced physical, emotional, and mental state of well-being. Therapists, counselors, academic professionals, healthcare providers, rehabilitation specialists, and psychologists from all walks of life find benefit utilizing trees and plants to help humans successfully cope with life.
  • Writer.A horticulture graduate can find themselves writing or blogging for a variety of publications or media companies. From a farm magazine to a gardening blog, writers with technical chops are in demand by organizations of all sizes and types.
  • Pest Manager. Graduates from an accredited horticulture program can find work as an exterminator or pest manager. Students may elect to start their own company or work for state agencies, agricultural suppliers, large farm organizations, processors, or agricultural agents.

Job Growth, Salary, and Related Fields

Job growth for horticulture is expected to remain steady over the next decade, with some areas of the of the field seeing more development and growth than others. This includes increases in landscaping, nurseries, and plant science. On average a career in horticulture pays about $37,000 annually, with certain professions paying significantly higher, such as research and development.

Individuals interested in horticulture may also be interested in learning more about association fields of study such as: turf management, ornamental horticulture, forestry, agribusiness, biotechnology, genetics, plant science, hydrology, toxicology, water science, agriculture systems management, ecosystem science, food science, plant pathology, agronomy, soil science, crop science, environmental management, botany, and natural resources development.

Additional Resources for Horticulturists

The American Horticulture Society is a national organization founded in 1922 to advance the awareness and education required by the field of horticulture. The organization has over 20,000 members and maintains partnerships with a variety of organizations and programs to accomplish its goals.

The Americans Society for Horticultural Science offers a variety of variety of services and programs for horticulturalists, including source material, science publications, certifications, and career development programs. The ASHS admits undergraduate and graduate students, individual members and corporate members into its ranks, offering a variety of benefits including job placement, newsletters, publication opportunities and more.

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