Main Content:
Horticulture
Program Overview:
The RCTC Horticulture Technology program offers training for environmental careers in the green industry. Working with plants and people in an outdoor environment offers exciting and rewarding career opportunities. Graduates will qualify for jobs in: Greenhouse Management, Landscape Maintenance, Golf Course Management, Tree Care and Urban Forestry, Landscape Design, Floral Design, Retail and Wholesale Sales. RCTC Horticulture technology provides an excellent balance of classroom and hands–on training so graduates are ready to meet the needs of these industries. Combining traditional on site teaching methods with on-line Hybrid classes allows students to work or commute while in the program. We actively involve industry professionals in developing our curriculum to insure that we meet their needs for employees.
Curriculum-at-a-Glance:
Depending on the option selected coursework may include: Plant Materials I and II, Greenhouse Operations and Management, Soil Science, Landscape Design, Golf Course Field Operations, Plant Propagation, Introduction to Turfgrass Management, Floral Design, Arboriculture, Urban Forestry and Integrated Plant/Pest Management.
Program / Degree Options:
RCTC offers associates in Applied Science (AAS) in Horticulture Technology and Diploma options in Floriculture/Garden Center and Landscape, Golf Course, Grounds Maintenance. RCTC offers an Associate in Science degree in Horticulture Science that is transferable into the Environmental Horticulture (B.S.) degree at the University of Minnesota.
Program Start Date(s):
Students can enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. Some courses are prerequisites to advanced level coursework so preplanning is encouraged.
Career Information:
The Horticulture Technology curriculum provides students with the general education and technical skills to meet the demand for employment opportunities in Landscaping, GolfCourse & Grounds Maintenance, Floriculture, Urban Forestry/Arboriculture and retail and wholesale sales. Upon graduation and depending on the curriculum option, a student can perform in the following occupational areas: floral designer, grower, shop manager, garden center manager, technician, salesperson, greenhouse owner/operator or technician; horticulture equipment/supplies sales; public recreation grounds maintenance technician; golf course maintenance; grounds maintenance owner/operator; lawn care/landscape maintenance owner/operator, landscape design, sales, construction, and maintenance; tree care professional; nursery field supervisor, nursery/garden center owner/operator, turf and sod grower or retailer.
Articulations / Accreditations:
RCTC’s Horticulture Science Associate in Science degree has been established to transfer into the Environmental Horticulture bachelor's degree program at the University of Minnesota.
In 2003 RCTC's program was selected as Minnesota's Outstanding Post Secondary/Adult Agricultural Education program.
For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at:
Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Additional Information:
Updated: March 2, 2012 1:42 PM
