Horticulture

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Two Horticulture students review course materials together while leaning on a grated metal shelf in the FLCC greenhouse.

Cultivate your knowledge of landscaping, plant biology, and more with a Horticulture degree. Our program's focus on agriculture and environmental science can turn your passion for nature into a rewarding career. Gain hands-on experience with plant care and management.

A.A.S. Program Overview

Learn how plants grow and gain the skills to set up and care for a happy, healthy garden that lasts. Coursework includes environmental science, plant identification, pest management, and more. Prepare a career while securing the skills required for a four-year degree.

Earn industry certifications as you work toward your Horticulture degree:

  • New York Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) — the professional standard of the nursery, landscape, and garden center industries.
  • New York Pesticide Applicator/Technician Certification — issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation to authorize individuals to use restricted-use pesticides in New York state.
  • ISA Certified Arborist — issued by the International Society of Arborists and awarded to those who demonstrate the ability to perform tree work correctly and ethically.

Studying Horticulture at FLCC prepares you for a career by assisting with resume building, networking, and practical skill development in real-world settings.

Learn From Horticulture Professionals

Meet professional horticulturists through guest lectures and field trips. You'll learn from experts at Cornell Cooperative Extension, the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Department of Environmental Conservation, among others.

You'll explore regional gardens, greenhouses, and nurseries to witness professional horticultural practices, including:

  • Cornell AgriTech — a research center providing practical solutions for farmers and agriculture businesses to thrive.
  • Coldwater Pond Nursery — a family nursery specializing in growing woody ornamental plants.
  • Highland Botanical Park — a world-class arboretum with 500+ varieties of lilacs, woody plants, and tree species.

Real-World Experience in Plant Management

Our Horticulture degree program includes over 50 hours of professional experience in plant propagation, cultivation, and greenhouse management. Community partners are eager to teach you about organic gardening, plant research, and more.

Horticulture program graduates completed work experience at historical gardens, alumni-owned landscaping businesses, and our on-campus greenhouse.

Join Our Horticulture Club

FLCC's Horticulture Club builds community and provides additional field trip experiences. Visit botanical gardens, greenhouses, native plant nurseries, organic seed companies, and research centers. Horticulture Club engages in fundraising activities — such as the biannual plant sale — which sponsors distinguished speakers at club events.


A.A.S. Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the A.A.S. Horticulture program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze the impacts that horticultural practices have on the environment. 
  • Identify (landscape) plants while integrating site analysis.  
  • Develop and apply professional techniques (e.g. soils, pruning, planting, maintenance, IPM, technical writing). 
  • In a field setting, associate plant structure and function with plant health.

Career Paths in Horticulture

Our Horticulture degree prepares you for careers in agriculture, plant management, and more. Some career paths include:

  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Arborist
  • Botany and Plant Scientist
  • Culinary Horticulturist
  • Garden Center Specialist
  • Greenhouse Management
  • Landscaping
  • Nursery Management
  • Organic Farming
  • Viticulture

After completing the Horticulture degree program, our graduates have worked at Sonnenberg Gardens, NY State Ag Experiment Station, George Eastman Museum, Mohonk Mountain House, and local landscaping companies.

Seamless Transfer Opportunities

Earn a four-year degree in horticulture or environmental science by transferring after graduation. Our articulation agreement with SUNY Cobleskill lets you start their Plant Science and Horticulture program as a full junior.

Horticulture degree graduates have also transferred to the following four-year institutions:

  • Cornell University
  • Penn State
  • Rutgers University
  • SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • SUNY Brockport
  • SUNY Geneseo
  • SUNY Morrisville
  • University of Michigan

Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

Earn a quality education at an affordable rate. With our low cost-per-credit and general scholarship opportunities, you can maximize your potential with minimal debt. 80% of students are awarded scholarships or financial aid that help with the cost of college.

As a Horticulture student, you can apply for program scholarships such as:

  • Alice C. Southgate Home Bureau Scholarship
  • Cassella Scholarship
  • FLCC Horticulture Faculty Award
  • Melissa Young (Hawk Child Wandering) Scholarship
  • Ontario County Master Gardeners Scholarship
  • Robert L. (Rodge) Case Award
  • S & S Memorial Scholarship

For information on these scholarships, contact the FLCC Foundation.

Faculty

Horticulture program faculty bring real-world experience to the classroom. Our instructors are forestry, plant science, conservation, and landscaping experts. Before teaching at FLCC, faculty worked in research labs, gardens, nurseries, and seed sales. Learn more about the Horticulture faculty.

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