Garden Design Certificate Program

This unique curriculum provides the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a garden design professional. It features a solid foundation in plantsmanship and science-based gardening techniques, both of which are essential to creating successful gardens for a wide spectrum of projects, — from private residences to municipal plantings.

Who should participate? Aspiring professional garden designers, and gardeners and garden designers seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites for this program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed.

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Download a course overview chart

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Program Requirements

The program requirements include 23 core courses and 24 instructional hours of elective courses. After completing Botany 1, remaining core courses may be taken in any order if no prerequisite is listed.

For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within seven years of the start date of our first core course. Students typically complete this program within 3 years.

You can prove proficiency for up to 20 percent of the coursework by passing proficiency exams for approved courses or providing transcripts indicating grades of at least 70 percent for similar courses. There is no separate enrollment for the program.

Students pursuing the Garden Design Certificate are encouraged to complete their Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate as well. This only requires the addition of 24 hours of OPC elective credit.

 

GDC Required Courses Prerequisites
Botany 1 None
Botany 2 Botany 1
All OPC core courses
PLUS choice of two Gardening Techniques Courses
Gardening Techniques: Session A* Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session B* None
Gardening Techniques: Session C* Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session D* Botany 1
Plant Health 1 (winter session) Botany 1
Plant Health 2 Botany 1, Plant Health 1
Soil Basics — Spring Session None
Graphics — Winter Session* None
Introduction to Professional Practice Graphics* can be taken concurrently
Principles of Garden Design — Spring Session Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice
Hardscape Basics Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice,
Principles of Garden Design
Introduction to Grading and Drainage Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice,
Principles of Garden Design
Planting Design 4 OPC core courses, Graphics,
Introduction to Professional Practice,
Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics
Garden Design Implementation Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, Planting Design
Garden Design Studio Capstone course

*Class may be taken prior to fulfilling the Botany 1 requirement.
Classes are formatted with CEUs.
Example: 0.3 CUEs = 3 elective hours. Credits are recorded by attendance, no testing is involved.