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Horticultural Therapy

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Horticultural Therapy Certificate of Merit Program

January 17 – December 14, 2012

This exciting, one year accredited certificate program combines online learning with two clinical face to face sessions for hands-on training, allowing students to gain experience and skills through participating in one of the premier horticultural therapy programs in the country.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Individuals who wish to achieve competency in creating, delivering, and evaluating plant- and nature-based activities adapted to a variety of functional abilities. You will have honed basic horticultural skills, and you will have an understanding of the theory and delivery methods unique to horticultural therapy.

Garden-trained Horticultural Therapists also work in myriad facilities serving individuals with special needs.


For more than 30 years, the Chicago Botanic Garden has been at the forefront of the horticultural therapy field, providing consultation, training, and direct services throughout the country and around the world. We are now partnering with Oakton Community College, recognized as a model two-year college in a recent New York Times article, to offer a unique and innovative professional development program, the Horticultural Therapy Certificate (HTC).

HORTICULTURAL THERAPY

Horticultural therapy (HT) is the professionally directed use of plant, garden, and nature activities to achieve measurable physical and mental health outcomes for clients. Horticultural therapists practice in hospitals, rehabilitation and vocational facilities, skilled care agencies and senior centers, community gardens, botanic gardens, schools, horticultural businesses, prisons, and other settings.

PHOTO: woman in wheelchair working in a raised bed gardenPROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Horticultural Therapy Certificate (HTC)is designed to focus on the development of HT skills and methods. The HTC program combines on-site training at the Chicago Botanic Garden with online distance learning. Upon completing the program, students will be able to explain the evidence basis, efficacy and unique benefits of horticultural therapy and to integrate horticultural therapy activities into current or future health career areas. They will also analyze the critical issues that horticulture therapists consider when planning programs, activities, and site design; and design and facilitate horticultural therapy sessions for individuals or groups.

Maintaining a minimum grade of C in the distance learning portion of class is required for participation in the on-site portion. Students in this curriculum are required to provide their own transportation to Chicago Botanic Garden for both of the 5 day on-site training portions. This is a limited enrollment curriculum.

PROGRAM DESIGN

The HTC program offers unparalleled opportunities for student immersion into the field of horticultural therapy. This unique curriculum combines online distance learning with hands-on training and user-group interaction. All course work is accredited through the Garden's partnership with Oakton Community College.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Courses Credit Hours

HTC100 Introduction to Horticulture for Horticultural Therapists**
January 17 – May 15

 3

HTC101 Health Through Horticulture: Using Plants for Therapeutic Outcomes*
March 19 – June 28

Face-to-Face Session 1
June 4 – 8

 4

HTC110 Horticultural Therapy Application and Practicum
August 6 – December 14

Face-to-Face Session 2
September 10 – 14

5

  *Concurrent enrollment or completion of HTC100 is required for HTC101.
**Students may also provide a transcript indicating fulfillment of a Horticulture credit course for HTC100.

PREREQUISITES

  • Minimum of 12 college-level credits from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4-point scale.
  • One year of high school biology or one semester of college biology; minimum grade of C.
  • Entry level competency for English 101 (EGL 101) as demonstrated by coursework or Oakton’s English Writing Assessment Test (WSAT).
  • Knowledge of and experience with growing plants and/or gardening is strongly encouraged.
  • Proficiency in basic computer and internet skills is strongly encouraged.

Click here for further program requirements.

PROGRAM OUTCOME

Click here for a list of learning objectives. This certificate is not offered in conjunction with the professional registration requirements through the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). For all other questions concerning becoming an HTR, please see www.ahta.org.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications for the 2012 Horticultural Therapy Certificate program are no longer being accepted.

PROGRAM TUITION AND FEES

HTC students will receive Oakton Community College's in-district pricing of $91 per credit hour for the 2011–2012 school term. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. For detailed information regarding Oakton's fee structure visit:
http://www.oakton.edu/admission/costs_financial_aid/tuition_fees/index.php

Tuition includes on-site program materials, select meals, and transportation to clinical sites. Tuition does not include expenses related to travel and lodging during the face-to-face session, text books and fees required by the college such as one-time application fee, activity fee, construction fee and registration fee. Financial aid is not available for students only enrolled in the HTC program. Payment plans are available through Oakton Community College. Clinical visits may require a health assessment, certain immunizations, substance abuse testing, criminal background check (need social security number), and health insurance. These requirements may represent an additional program cost to the student.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about your application or the Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program, please contact Amelia Simmons Hurt at or (847) 835-8293.