The online Advanced Horticulture, Graduate Certificate is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore the field of horticulture beyond entry-level.
Students choose this program to:
- Experience the breadth and diversity of the field through maximum flexibility in course selection.
- Gain knowledge through courses in tree, floral and fruit production, as well as interior plants and business management.
- Enhance or expand their career options in the field of horticulture through graduate-level coursework.
Students who complete this certificate may also wish to pursue a plant-related master's degree such as a Masters of Science or a Masters of Applied Science in Agronomy or Horticulture.
This program is offered as part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) and provides you with diverse perspectives on the field. You enroll in courses at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln even though courses may be taught by other Great Plains IDEA member institutions. The certificate comes from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Students who complete this certificate may also wish to pursue a plant-related Master of Science degree or a Master of Applied Science.
Career Outlook
Work in the horticulture field ranges from grounds maintenance staff who require no formal education to scientists who need a minimum Ph.D. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), grounds maintenance workers held 1,309,300 jobs in 2016. The BLS reported from 2016-2024, there would be an 11% increase in employment for grounds maintenance workers. The projected amount of job openings during this period is 146,300. The BLS projects that businesses in green-industry occupations and careers that protect the planet will increase.
Additional career paths may include:
- Olericulturist (vegetable grower, seller and marketer)
- Urban farmer
- Plant ecologist
- Plant researcher or technologist
- Arborist, forester
- Florist or floral designer
- Food scientist
- Industry support
- Inspection of plants
- Landscape construction and management
- Landscape design
- Communications blogger, writer, photographer
- Pest management
- Farm or co-op organizational management
Ag*IDEA Program Ag*IDEA is an affiliate of the Great Plains IDEA, a national consortium of universities that offer programs and courses in agriculture disciplines. The Ag*IDEA's membership of top accredited universities offer master's degrees and graduate certificates fully online from top faculty.
Core Courses
Students pay the Ag*IDEA/Great Plains IDEA common price per credit hour for this program. Choose "Online Distance Class (ES)" on the tuition and fees cost estimator page and enter your credit hours in the "AG*IDEA, Great Plains IDEA" boxes.
Clicking "How to Apply" takes you to the Graduate Studies website for additional program and application information.
Graduates of the Advanced Horticulture, Graduate Certificate may find careers in a multitude of areas, including:
- Extension agents involved in horticulture-related programs
- K-12 science teachers
- Golf course superintendents
- Municipal parks superintendents and employees
- Landscape maintenance practitioners
- Public garden, camp or park employee
- Nursery, greenhouse and garden center professionals
- Serious horticulture enthusiasts, such as master gardeners
I like that it's diversified and I can take classes that interest me. It's also easier to get a minor in whatever I want without having to invest additional time in college.
To be accepted to this program
- A bachelor's degree in biology or a plant-related major.
- 3.00 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Successfully completed at least a semester of coursework in biology, plant sciences, genetics, algebra and chemistry.
- 3 letters of recommendation. These must be from professionals who are familiar with your work ethic or scholastic ability. Personal references from friends, relatives, etc. are not acceptable.
- A personal statement. In 1-2 pages, describe
- your professional goals and career aspirations and specifically what you plan to do with your certificate
- background experiences, events, and/or education that have influenced your professional goals
- how enrolling in this certificate program will assist you in meeting your professional goals.
- Taken the TOEFL or IELTS. Only required if English is not your native language. Minimum score of 79 on Internet-based TOEFL, 600 on paper-based TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS required for admission.
NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: October 1
Summer Session: February 15