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Online Graduate Certificate in Horticulture

Working in the horticulture field, you understand that flexibility is important. So why not enhance your knowledge by choosing a program built with flexibility in mind?  With faculty from four leading research universities and courses offered online, you can learn about topics that interest you when it’s convenient for you. 

Program Summary

Cost per credit hour:

2024-2025: Graduate $610 | Undergraduate $440
2025-2026: Graduate$622 | Undergraduate $448
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Graduate Certificate - Graduate Courses

12–15 Hours

Course Share - Undergraduate Courses

3–4 Hours

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    What You Will Learn

    Courses cover a broad overview of horticultural production, balanced with basic coursework. Plant physiology nutrition, and irrigation science, nursery, greenhouse, and edible food crop production; and horticultural business management are just a few examples.

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    How You Will Learn

    Designed for working professionals, our courses are 100% online. You'll engage in coursework through a virtual classroom, with offerings available from four reputable universities. Start and end dates may vary depending on the universities instructing your courses each semester.

University Contacts

Click on the campus coordinator name to get their contact information. Click on the university name to learn more about how IDEA works at that campus.

Kansas State University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
North Carolina State University
Texas Tech University
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Who should consider a graduate certificate in horticulture?

A graduate certificate in horticulture is perfect if you are entering the field, hoping to advance your career, or are passionate about growing plants. If you fit in one of the following categories then you'll be a great fit for the Horticulture graduate certificate.

  • Horticulture agents involved in extension programs
  • Master Gardeners
  • Graduate students in related majors, such as biology, entomology, and plant pathology
  • 9-12 grade science teachers
  • Golf course superintendents
  • City parks and recreation employees
  • Landscape maintenance managers
  • Nursery, greenhouse, and garden center industry professionals
  • Individuals wanting to use these courses to jump-start a Master of Science in Horticulture
  • Research technicians in academia and industry

Completing the certificate in advanced horticultural through IDEA was a valuable and motivating experience. As a property manager and landscape designer, the diverse coursework required by the certificate was immediately applicable to my daily work decisions. In addition, I was exposed to a deepening of knowledge that allowed me to incorporate new management programs and horticultural practices that will develop over the seasons to follow. This is important, because as landscapes change and grow, so too should our knowledge of work in horticulture fields evolve. The IDEA certificate program helped me greatly in this regard.

Brad Kindler, Advanced Horticulture Graduate Certificate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

What might this look like for me?

Courses are offered during spring, summer, and fall sessions. An advisor will help ensure your path to completion is smooth.

The certificate in advanced horticulture provides the basic knowledge and skills required to master advanced practices and principles in horticulture and is an excellent foundation for horticultural management positions, teaching, or graduate school. Courses cover a broad overview of horticultural production, balanced with basic coursework.

  • Plant physiology, nutrition, and irrigation science
  • Nursery, greenhouse, and edible food crop production
  • Horticultural business management

You may choose to use this certificate as a stepping stone to begin your master’s degree in horticulture. Some member universities that offer this certificate also offer a master’s degree, so the transition would be easy. These universities include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Texas Tech University, and North Carolina State University.

Program Information at Participating Universities

Learn more about the programs at each participating university.

Certificate titles vary by university. Consult each university for the title as it will appear on the certificate.

IDEA Student Handbook

Meet Our Faculty

You will learn from expert faculty who bring real-life experience to the coursework and are committed to helping you transition your learning beyond the online classroom into your career.