Horticulture A.A.S. (Plan 21HU)

The field of horticulture is evolving quickly to address current sustainability issues, whether in plant production, landscape design, or construction and management. The CLC Horticulture program has incorporated sustainability topics across its curriculum to better prepare students for employment in the green industry. Graduates enter a range of employment including local landscape companies, environmental consulting firms, municipalities and park districts, public land management agencies and entrepreneurial ventures.

A.A.S. degree students must complete fifteen hours of General Education courses plus 7 credits of additional courses, and also 27 credit hours of horticultural core courses and 12 credit hours of elective horticulture coursework. Graduates entering the field must be well-versed in basic botany, plant identification and care, soil science, entomology, plant pathology and business. These courses are included in the core requirements. Focusing the elective coursework allows students to develop skills in one of 6 areas of study: landscape design, landscape construction and maintenance, arboriculture, horticulture production, sustainable agriculture or natural areas management.

Horticulture students also may choose a certificate, which is a specific combination of 19-21 credit hours within a given specialty area. This option is well-suited for students who wish to enter the job market quickly, enhance their skills in a specific area for career advancement, or redirect their previous professional training for a new career. Students may select from certificate programs in: landscape design, landscape construction and maintenance, arboriculture, horticulture production, sustainable agriculture, and natural areas management. To expand the skill set for employment, a number of certificates can be stacked to provide a dual certificate of complimentary topics for 27-30 total credits.

The following courses are recommended for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university. Once a transfer school is selected, students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Success Advisor to determine courses at CLC which will also meet the transfer requirements. To complete any transfer degree, students should follow the college requirements for associate degrees that transfer.

All course prerequisites must be met. Additionally, students are required to select one course from the International/Multicultural list to meet graduation requirements. A grade of C or better is required for all English course requirements.