Horticulture Certificate and Degree Programs for Working Adults

Did you know environmental horticulture is one of the fastest growing segments of the nation’s agricultural economy? This multi-billion dollar industry is responsible for almost 2 million jobs in landscape design, installation and maintenance, greenhouse production and management, retail nursery management, floral design, city and park management, Did you know environmental horticulture is one of the fastest growing segments of the nation’s agricultural garden center management, and golf course turf management.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) at Curtis is investigating the possibility of offering horticulture certificates and degree programs in communities along the western corridor of I-80.

Horticulture has been taught at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis for over 30 years and has been a major research focus at the West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte since the 1940s. Combined, these two UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources units maintain three greenhouses, several teaching and research plots, and most importantly, the ability and understanding needed to extend the most current horticulture knowledge to students located along the western I-80 corridor. Ag Hall on the NCTA campus represents a rich history of applied agricultural education. This tradition coupled with the latest research and extension knowledge being developed at the West Central Research and Extension Center is a winning combination  in serving the horticulture education  needs of  Western Nebraska

The Program

NCTA proposes to offer its evening part-time certificate and associate of applied science degree programs to adult and traditional students at various locations between Ogallala and Kearney starting fall 2007. Times and locations will be determined through a horticulture interest survey. However, past history suggests working adults need the
program taught in concentrated time blocks in the evenings. Students taking two courses per semester can plan on completing the certificate program in less than two years and the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in three years.

Cost
The approximate cost of the program per semester is as follows:

Tuition and fees ($120 x 7 credits)     $840
Books and materials     100   
    Total per Semester     $940

Financial Assistance
Students enrolled in these programs may qualify for grants and loans as either half or full time students. A financial aid officer located on the NCTA campus at Curtis can help you investigate the possibilities. Call Mary Ann Mercer at 1-800-3CURTIS, extension 207.

Faculty
Faculty will include faculty members from NCTA and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension located at the West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte and other County Extension offices.

Advising
Each student is assigned an academic advisor to help them register and complete the coursework necessary to fulfill the requirements for graduation for either the certificate or A.A.S. degree.

A.A.S. in Horticulture Landscape/Nursery Option Curriculum

A.A.S. Horticulture Curriculum
The A.A.S. Horticulture degree with a Landscape/Nursery option is a 72 credit program, which includes 25 credits of general education courses to be completed through NCTA or another accredited higher education institution.

Fall Semester-Year 1
HSL1073 Landscape Plants I    3
HSL1144 Horticulture Science    4
    Semester  Credits    7

Spring Semester-Year 1
AGR1204 Prin. of Soils and Soil Mgt.     4
HSL1173 Landscape Plants II     3
    Semester Credits    7

Summer Semester-Year 1
HSL1253 Irrigation Systems Mgt.     3
HSL2143 Landscape Construction     3
    Semester Credits    6

Fall Semester-Year 2
HSL1103 Plant Propagation        3
HSL2044 Intro. to Landscape Design    4
    Semester  Credits    7

Spring Semester-Year 2
HST2352 Pest Management        2
HSL2204 Landscape Design II (Elective)    4
HSL2211 Horticulture Capstone    1
    Semester Credits    7

Summer  Semester-Year 2
HSL2006 Internship        6
    Semester Credits    6

Fall Semester-Year 3
HST1214 Fund. of Turf Management    4
HST1113 Small Engines        3
    Semester  Credits    7

Directed General Education courses
NCTA, UNL, UNK, MPCC    25

    Total  Semester Credits    72

Horticulture Certificate Curriculum

The Certificate in Horticulture Systems is a 30 credit hands-on applied program with no general education requirement. 

Fall 2007
HSL1144 Intro. to Horticulture Science     4
HSL2044 Intro. to Landscape Design     4
    Semester Hours     8

Spring 2008
HSL1073 Landscape Plants I     3
HSL2143 Landscape Construction     3
    Semester Hours     6

Summer 2008
HSL1253 Irrigation Systems Mgt.     3
    Semester Hours     3

Fall 2008
HSL2204 Planting Design     4
HSL1173 Landscape Plants II     3
    Semester Hours     7   

Spring 2009
HSL2282 Intro. to Landscape Mgt.     2
HST2352 Pest Management     2
HSL2211 Horticulture Capstone     1
Electives         1
    Semester Hours     6   

    Total Hours for Certificate        30