What is Horticulture?

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.

How can I earn a Horticulture Management Certificate?

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.

What horticulture classes does NCTC offer?

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 Spanish
• Soil Science
• Computers in Agriculture
• Plant Protection
• Agriculture Power Units
• Agricultural Construction I

Will the horticulture classes transfer to a 4-year university?

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)

How long will it take to get a certificate?

The program is designed for students to complete the courses in one year's time; however, students may work at their own pace.

How are the classes taught?

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.  

What can I do with a certificate in Horticulture Management?

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.

Who is this program designed for?

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.

What sort of horticulture facilities does NCTC offer?

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.

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