Horticulture
Horticulture is the study of plant cultivation. This diverse field offers career opportunities in a wide array of industries for students at varying levels of education. Read on to learn more about horticulture and for tips about a career in this field.
Inside Horticulture
Horticulture is the science of cultivating plants. Horticultural professionals conduct research and prepare soil for the successful propagation of plants. They apply their knowledge of plant science to a variety of industries, such as crop management, gardening, production, marketing, research and landscape design. For example, horticulturalists may care for plants in nurseries and greenhouses or work as landscape designers, who plan and maintain gardens, golf courses and other plant sites. Horticulturalists who work in research study plant growth and develop new methods of harvesting.
An undergraduate degree in horticulture is generally the minimum education requirement for a career in this field. These programs tend to include coursework in soil fertility, plant biology, floral art, propagation and crop production. Graduates may go on to become greenhouse or park managers, landscape designers, greenskeepers, horticulture consultants or florists. Students may also pursue degrees in environmental horticulture, ornamental horticulture, crop science or other related majors. Advanced positions, such as in research, marketing and university-level teaching, typically entail master's or doctoral degrees.
The anticipated employment for individuals in this field varies by career. For instance, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of soil and plant scientists was expected to grow 15% between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). Jobs for grounds maintenance workers, including groundskeepers and landscape workers, were expected to grow 18% in the same decade.
Salary also varied by career and industry. According to the BLS, soil and plant scientists reported earning a median annual wage of $57,340 in May 2010. Landscaping, lawn care and groundskeeping managers earned a median annual wage of $41,860 in the same year. The median wage for landscaping workers was $23,400, and all other ground maintenance workers earned $24,160.
Learn More About Horticulture
If you enjoy working outdoors and caring for plants, horticulture may be a good fit for you. Education-Portal.com has the resources you need to meet your academic goals and plan a career in horticulture. Continue reading to learn about your education options and where a degree in horticulture can lead.
Degree Options
A degree in horticulture can prepare you for a myriad of career opportunities. The following links illustrate some of your degree options and the type of coursework involved in horticulture education.
- Horticulture Business Management Courses
- Greenhouse Management Courses
- Associate's in Landscaping Design
- Horticulture Programs
Career Options
The following careers are just a few options you can pursue with a degree in horticulture. Use the following articles to explore your options and learn how to reach your career goals.
- Grounds Manager
- Horticulture Specialist
- Horticulture Supervisor
- Horticulture Technician
- Horticulture Therapist
Distance Learning Options
Although horticulture training typically involves hands-on training, some schools offer distance-learning programs. Online courses are available as part of a degree program and as individual, non-credit courses.
- Online Horticulture Courses
- Online Horticulture Certificates
- Online Horticulture Programs
- Online Associate's Degree in Horticulture
- Online Horticulture Schools
Certification Requirements
You may benefit from earning certification in your area of expertise, and it's even mandatory for some horticulture careers. The following pages include certification options and requirements for horticulture professionals.
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2 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma: Floral Design
- Certificate in Feeding the Family
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Business
- Animal Science
- Food Sciences and Technologies
- Horticulture
- Plant Science
- Soil Science
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School locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Turf Management
- Plant Science
- Horticulture
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Ferris State University include:
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- Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Ornamental Horticulture
- Horticulture
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School locations:
- Delaware (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Delaware include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Business
- Animal Science
- Food Sciences and Technologies
- Horticulture
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Plant Science
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School locations:
- Connecticut (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Connecticut include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Business
- Animal Science
- Horticulture
- Plant Science
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School locations:
- Rhode Island (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Rhode Island include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Animal Science
- Horticulture
- Plant Science
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School locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Temple University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate, Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Plant Science
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School locations:
- Illinois (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Illinois include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Diploma
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture Production
- Animal Science
- Food Sciences and Technologies
- Horticulture
- Ornamental Horticulture
- Plant Science
