Horticulture Frequently Asked Questions
Horticulture is defined as the
science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers or ornamental
plants and incorporates a broad range of career opportunities from
production and marketing, to research, maintenance, design, and
horticulture therapy. Horticulturalists work in both public and
private sectors.
The NCTC horticulture certificate
provides a broad, technical education in the field of horticulture,
emphasizing practical knowledge that will prepare students to work in
multiple facets of the industry. The Horticulture Management Certificate
is a 31 credit hour program, consisting of 23 credit hours of required
core curriculum classes as well as 6 credit hours of electives. Upon
completion of the classes, students wrap-up their certification with a 2
credit hour internship or on-the-job learning experience in a
commercial horticulture, greenhouse, or landscape-related setting.
Required Core Classes
- Floral Design
- Naturalistic Horticulture
- Woody Plants
- Horticulture
- Herbaceous Plants
- Landscape Design
- Greenhouse Management
- Cooperative Education
Elective Classes
- Advanced Floral Design
- Interior Plants
- Landscape Irrigation
- Food Crops
- Advanced Landscape Design
- Agricultural Construction I
Several core/electives will transfer to 4-year institutions:
- Horticulture (HORT 1401)
- Computers in Agriculture (AGRI 1309)
- Plant Protection (AGRI 1413)
- Agriculture Power Units (AGRI 2301)
- Agricultural Construction I (AGRI 2303)
The program is designed for students to complete the courses in one year's time; however, students may work at their own pace.
Courses are taught using a range
of teaching methods consisting of hands-on labs, one-on-one instruction,
guest lecturers, group presentations/projects, fieldtrips, lectures,
online hybrid classes, and online support materials.
The certificate will provide you
with multiple horticulture skills. Those earning a certificate may
pursue jobs in landscaping, floristry, horticulture crop production,
greenhouse management, and nursery production. Meet with a horticulture
academic advisor for career counseling.
The program is designed for
anyone who is interested in the field of horticulture or gardening
science. Students who seek to be career horticulturalists will benefit
from these basic classes and will be prepared to enter the workforce or
go on to a four-year university. For students who are hobby
horticulturalists, this program will provide invaluable skills for
at-home horticulture interests.
On the Gainesville Campus,
students meet in the newly remodeled Equine Center horticulture
laboratory adjacent to NCTC's recently built, state of the art
greenhouse facility. On the Corinth Campus, students meet in the
instructional building for lectures and out in the gardens for labs.