Career Description
An AAS Degree in Horticulture is the gateway to a wide variety of careers in the huge and “ever growing” horticulture industry. Depending on the emphasis chosen by the graduate, Ornamental and edible plant production, Greenhouse production, Landscaping, Floriculture, Golf Course, are all occupations that are available to the Horticulture graduate.

Program Information
This two–year Associate in Applied Science degree covers the broad spectrum of the horticulture industry. Most students who receive their AAS degree in Horticulture also select one (or two) of the diploma programs of interest to them. Students may select topics from landscaping, greenhouse production, and/or floral design to meet the technical elective requirement of this program.

Admissions
The Horticulture program is offered as a full-time day program. Because of sequencing of courses, it is best to begin this program in the fall semester. However, many students begin in the spring and successfully complete the degree.

Transfer Opportunities
Articulation agreements (often called 2+2 agreements) are currently in place with the University of Minnesota. You may attend your first two years of college at Central Lakes College and transfer your credits to further your degree in Agricultural Education or Horticulture at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campuses. An agreement with University of Minnesota Crookston also allows transfer into their Horticulture Degree program. Courses can also be transferred to many other 4-year colleges such as North Dakota State University. It is important to check with advisors about transferability to these or other colleges before your first semester to take full advantage of current agreements.

Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities can be found in greenhouse production, landscaping, floral design, and sales, as well as horticulture therapy, interior plantscaping, and plant and flower brokering.

Career Titles
Careers available are largely dependent on your goals. It is best to discuss your goals with a counselor for proper course selection. Landscape Designer Landscape Salesperson Landscape Installation Foreman Landscape Business Owner/Manager Lawn Maintenance Business Owner/Manager Ornamental Plant Pest Control Irrigation/Sprinkler Installation Nursery/Garden Center Sales
Wholesale Nursery Sales
Nursery Supply Sales
Floral Designer
Flower Shop Sales
Wholesale Flower Sales
Flower Broker
Flower Shop Owner/Manager
Interior Plant Rental
Interior Plant Maintenance
Free-Lance Designer
Floral Supply Representative
Greenhouse Owner/Manager
Greenhouse Foreman
Propagator
Pest Control Coordinator
Plant Sales
Plant and Supply Buyer
Greenhouse Supply Representative
Plant Consultant

Horticulture, AAS - Program Planning Form (pdf)