Horticulture

Associate in Applied Science
Career Degree
Cost
$12,949*

Grow your career in a green business

Learn the essential science and art of plant-centered enterprises with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in horticulture. This well-rounded program prepares you for a career that starts with hands-on work and leads to managing a small business or starting your own.

Gain the skills used by local employers, including:

  • plant identification
  • plant pest and disease management
  • green business management
  • soil management
  • sustainable landscape management
  • sustainable agriculture

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Horticulture?

Your Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) gives you specific skills as well as a breadth of vision to launch toward your long-term goals. You’re ready to start your career in a range of plant-centered businesses or organizations. You can go to work in a local landscape company, an environmental consulting firm or a start-up. You may serve the community by working for a city, a park district or a public land management agency.

  • landscape maintenance technician or supervisor
  • horticulture production technician or supervisor
  • land management technician or supervisor
  • landscape designer

Highlights

  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
  • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

    Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
  • Career Degree

    Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills.
  • Program Length: 2 Years

    Full-time students finish in 2 years.

Career Outlook

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

Icon Key

  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Dual credit options available
  • Global citizenship
  • Online/Virtual options available
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CLC 120 2
    ENG 121 3
    HRT 121 3
    BIO 120 4
    HRT 125 3
    • Course Code CLC 120
      Course Title
      Credits 2
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ENG 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code BIO 120
      Course Title
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 125
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    BIO 222 4
    HRT 222 3
    HRT 225 3
    CMM 111 3
    HUM 127 3
    • Course Code BIO 222
      Course Title
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 222
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 225
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CMM 111
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HUM 127
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    HRT 126 3
    HRT 127 3
    HRT 162 3
    HRT 221 3
    GEG 122 3
    • Course Code HRT 126
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 127
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 162
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 221
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code GEG 122
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    HRT 129 3
    HRT 124 4
    HRT 280 1
    HRT 265 3
    HRT 132 3
    EWE 120 1
    • Course Code HRT 129
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 124
      Course Title
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 280
      Course Title
      Credits 1
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 265
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 132
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code EWE 120
      Course Title
      Credits 1
      Course Highlights

Total Credit Hours

62

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.




Female student taking notes in class

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

An A.A.S. is just one possible way to study horticulture. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Horticulture Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

What students say about CLC


  • A close-up of a handful of raspberries picked on the Campus Farm.

    Yesenia Mercado

    Graduate

    “I learned so much from the people at CLC: peers, colleagues, coworkers, instructors. It's a great learning community.”


    Yesenia studied horticulture at CLC and worked on the Campus Farm. She believes knowing what you eat and where it comes from leads to healthier lives and stronger communities.

    Read Yesenia's story

    A close-up of a handful of raspberries picked on the Campus Farm.

Take the next step...

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CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.

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