The Horticulture Science Graduate Certificate is an individually designed program in horticultural science. Each student is assigned an adviser and consults with the adviser to design his or her program. Because of the diversity of subject matter and learner interest, students may concentrate in such areas as general horticulture, food horticulture, and ornamental horticulture, and may also include a limited number of courses from other academic areas within agriculture.

The Horticulture Science Graduate Certificate is designed to increase personal knowledge and skills and provide advanced training for employment in the horticulture industry.

Five courses (15 credit hours) are required. The student and his/her advisor will select from a list of horticulture science courses, including:

• HS 590-N Environmental Nursery Production (3 credits)
  
• HS 542 Advanced Vegetable Crop Management (3)
• HS 707 Environmental Stress Physiology (3)
• HS 590-F Fruit Quality (3)
• HS 543 Greenhouse and High Tunnel Food Production (3)
• HS 590-U Introduction to Permaculture (3)
• HS 541 Plant Breeding Methods (3)
• HS 562 Post Harvest Physiology (3)
• HS 590-A Introduction to Viticulture (3)
• HS 590-I Small Fruit Production (3)
• HS 717 Weed Management System (3)

At least three courses in the certificate must be from the Department of Horticultural Science. The remaining two courses may also be from horticultural science, or from one of the following areas: Agricultural and Resource Economics, Agricultural and Extension Education, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Crop Science, Entomology, Food Science, Plant Pathology, and Soil Science.

Please note: Not all courses offered each semester. Students should consult their advisor and the course catalog for the most up-to-date course listings.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, with a preferable undergraduate major in horticulture, crop science, plant science, or agricultural education with a concentration in plant science, or another closely related degree.

Students may begin taking courses for the certificate in Summer, Fall or Spring.

The certificate requires 15 credit hours. Students proceed at their own pace. Students pursuing certificate programs are considered non-degree studies (NDS) students for the purpose of university registration. NDS students may register for a maximum of six credit hours per semester. Thus, the certificate may take from three to five semesters to complete. All course work must be completed within four years of enrollment.

Click "How to Apply" to register to take courses without being admitted to a degree program. Students pursuing certificate programs are considered non-degree studies (NDS) students for the purpose of university registration.