Horticulture is the science of plant
cultivation. The most common degree programs in horticulture are offered
at the bachelor's and master's level. There are few diploma programs in
this field, and since much of the work in plant cultivation is hands-on
and occurs outdoors, online programs are also scarce. However, there
are several universities that offer online graduate certificate programs
in horticulture.
Online Horticulture Certificate Program Overview
A horticulture online certificate program is designed for those
who've already earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture or agriculture
and professionals already working as horticulturalists. Online
certificate programs are meant to provide individuals the opportunity to
focus on a particular aspect of horticulture in order to gain further
expertise. Students can choose to specialize in either food horticulture
or ornamental horticulture. Due to the hands-on nature of the field,
online certificate programs in horticulture are not especially common,
but several programs do exist.
Online certificate programs in horticulture are most commonly offered
at the graduate level, and therefore require that applicants possess a
4-year degree. Some schools may require that specific courses be
completed before beginning a certificate program. Although all required
classes are offered online, some programs also offer optional classes
that are available only on campus. Most online horticulture certificate
programs consist of 12 to 15 credits and take anywhere from four months
to four years to finish, depending on whether the student chooses to
study full-time or part-time. Some certificate programs can be completed
concurrently with a master's degree.
At minimum, students in online horticulture certificate programs
should have access to a computer with a printer and Internet connection.
Basic software, such as an Internet browser, word processing program
and e-mail account, is also required. Some online classes may have
additional technical requirements; for instance, a digital camera may be
necessary to document insect or plant species.
List of Common Horticulture Courses Offered Online
Horticulture certificate program requirements vary by school, but
there are some courses that are common across all programs. These
include the study of plants, soils, weeds and insects.
Plant Breeding Course
Online students learn advanced breeding techniques for improving
plants through the study of plant genetics. Methods such as
hybridization and chromosome manipulation are presented.
Advanced Soil Science Course
Students learn about the chemical and physical components of soil and
managing soil nutrients. They also study erosion control and different
soil environments, such as wetlands.
Advanced Weed Science Course
Horticulturalists study the management of weeds by various approaches
including the use of herbicides. Students also learn about the
environmental factors that affect herbicide performance and dissipation.
Entomology Course
Entomology is the study of insects. From knowledge of insect
behavior, students can learn techniques to protect crops from unwanted
insects while encouraging pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
Nursery Production and Management Course
Students are taught aspects of nursery production, such as greenhouse
construction, field irrigation, soil improvement, harvesting and
storage. The practical aspects of marketing and managing a nursery
business are also discussed.
Graduates with a certificate in horticultural science may find
supervisory jobs at greenhouses, public gardens and arboretums, or on
farms and ranches. They may also work in
landscape design,
pest control or in their own plant nursery. There may also be
government positions available in national forests, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) projected in 2008 that job openings for agricultural managers
should increase by six percent through 2018. According to the BLS,
agricultural managers earned an average of $40,300 in 2008 (
www.bls.gov).
Continuing Education in Horticulture
Students who complete an online graduate certificate may wish to
study for their master's degree in horticulture. Some programs allow
credits earned in the online horticulture certificate to be applied
directly to a master's degree. Some master's level programs in
horticulture are offered online, although the majority of graduate
schools require horticulture students to attend classes in person.
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