Plant Science and Agricultural Technology with Specializations in:
- Horticulture
- Landscape
- Sustainable Agriculture
Associate in Science Degree CIP# 1101060502)
This program is designed to prepare students for careers in the landscape and horticulture industries. Students may choose to specialize in two areas: landscape or horticulture. The Landscape Specialization provides for skills in landscape design, construction, and maintenance, which include instruction in constructing and landscaping parks, airports, communities, resorts, etc. Students are trained to supervise, manage, and design exterior and interior landscapes. The Horticulture Specialization is designed to prepare students for careers in both greenhouse and nursery operations and includes instruction in greenhouse foliage, flower and woody nursery production. Students are specially trained to operate and manage all types of plant productions, programs and facilities.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult a Student Success Coach in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.
Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and specialization course sequence as a guide in program planning.
All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.
Alternative Ways to Earn Credit
You may be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned an approved industry certification or Career Pathways credit. For more information and requirements, go to https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/alternative-award-of-credit-agreements.php to view the award of credit options. Eligible students should contact the related academic department and/or Student Success Coach at Valencia for the award of credit.
Technical Certificates
The Plant Science and Agricultural A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs. These certificate programs can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificate programs are embedded in the A.S. degree. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the course requirements.
- Plant Science Specialist (12 credits) (CIP # 0101060503)
- Plant Science Professional (18 credits) (CIP # 0101060504)
- Plant Science Technician (30 credits) (CIP # 0101060505)
Start Right
Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits). The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Student Success Coach or create an education plan by logging into MyVC, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.
Potential Careers
- Nursery Supervisor/Manager
- Supervisor, Parks
- Production Superintendent
- Landscape & Groundskeeping Manager
- Landscape Gardener/Designer/Contractor
- Supervisor/Manager of Landscaping and Horticulture Services
- Landscape & Horticulture Specialist
- Landscape & Horticulture Professional
Salary & Earnings Information
For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine.
Contacts
Future Students
Contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or call 407-582-1507
Current Students
Your Student Success Coach contact information can be found in MyVC. Log into MyVC, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Coach.
West Campus Faculty Program Chair
Javier Garces: 407-582-1820
jgarces3@valenciacollege.edu
Internship and Workforce Services
If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit: valenciacollege.edu/internship.
Program Outcomes
- Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
- Design a pest management program.
- Schedule a fertilization program.
- Demonstrate employability skills in the field of horticulture.
Horticulture Specialization
Designed for students wishing to specialize in nursery and greenhouse operations.
Program Outcomes
- Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
- Design a greenhouse, nursery, or crop management program.
| ORH 1510C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS | 3 |
| or AOM 1465C | INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE |
| ORH 2251C | NURSERY OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| or ORH 2260C | GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT |
| PLS 2220C | PLANT PROPAGATION * | 3 |
| 16 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 |
Landscape Specialization
Designed for students wishing to specialize in landscape design, construction, and maintenance.
Program Outcomes
- Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
- Design a landscape or interiorscape project.
- Schedule a landscape or interiorscape maintenance program.
| LDE 1000C | LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION * | 3 |
| ORH 1234C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MAINTENANCE * | 4 |
| ORH 1510C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS | 3 |
| ORH 2840C | LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION * | 4 |
| 11 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 |
Sustainable Agriculture Specialization
Designed for students wishing to specialize in edible crop production.
Program Outcomes
- Develop and use tools to assess the sustainability of agricultural operations.
- Design a crop management program.
Program Requirements
| AOM 1465C | INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE | 3 |
| IPM 1301C | PRINCIPLES OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| | 19 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 |
Notes:
Specialized program courses are offered on the West Campus and some off-site locations, and may not be offered every session.
Expand your career opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership (BASBOL) from Valencia. This degree builds on your skills, and prepares you for a supervisory or management role within your respective field. For more information, go to: Bachelor's Degree in Business & Organizational Leadership. Students who wish to continue their education should consult with a Student Success Coach to determine the best education plan for their career goals.
Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution for acceptance of this degree.
Plant Science Specialist
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the landscape and horticulture industries as nursery workers, landscape and horticulture workers and specialists. Areas of study include an understanding of plant physiology, growth, plant classification and plant identification.
Program Outcomes
- Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
- Design a pest management program.
- Demonstrate employability skills in the landscape field.
| AOM 1461C | | 3 |
| or ORH 1510C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS |
| ENY 1002C | PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY | 3 |
| PLS 1010C | INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE | 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 |
Notes:
All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
Plant Science Professional
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the landscape and horticulture industries as landscape gardeners, park workers, gardener specialists and landscape or horticulture professionals. Students focus on the maintenance of landscape plants, including nutrition, fertilization and pest control.
Program Outcomes
- Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
- Demonstrate employability skills in the field or horticulture.
- Design a pest management program.
- Schedule a fertilization program.
| AOM 1461C | | 3 |
| or ORH 1510C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS |
| PLS 1010C | INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE | 3 |
| ENY 1002C | PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY | 3 |
| SWS 2102C | SOILS AND FERTILIZERS | 3 |
| | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 |
Note:
All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
Plant Science Technician with Specializations in
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the landscape and horticulture industries as supervisors of landscaping and horticulture, production and nursery supervisors, and horticulture technicians. Areas of study include managing culture of plant materials and installing and constructing landscape projects. Students should select the Horticulture or Landscape Specialization.
Program Outcomes
- Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
- Design a pest management program.
- Schedule a fertilizer program.
| AOM 1461C | | 3 |
| or ORH 1510C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS |
| ENY 1002C | PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY | 3 |
| PLS 1010C | INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE | 3 |
| SWS 2102C | SOILS AND FERTILIZERS | 3 |
| 18 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Horticulture Specialization
Program Outcomes
- Design a greenhouse, nursery or crop management program.
| ORH 2251C | NURSERY OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| or ORH 2260C | GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT |
| | 15 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 |
Landscape Specialization
Program Outcomes
- Design a landscape or interiorscape project.
- Schedule a landscape or interiorscape maintenance program.
| LDE 1000C | LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 3 |
| ORH 1234C | ORNAMENTAL PLANT MAINTENANCE * | 4 |
| ORH 2840C | LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION * | 4 |
| | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 |
Plant Science Technician Certificate Electives
These courses may be used for Landscape and Horticulture Technology Certificate Electives credit if not being used as a certificate requirement.
Note
All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.
