The 31-credit-hour certificate granted by Johnson County Community College is a program designed to prepare students for entry into the rapidly advancing, diverse horticultural industry. The coursework provides a solid science foundation for the propagation, production, and managing of plants, both food and essential, in controlled environments and the field.  The curriculum is designed to provide students with an invaluable hands-on learning experience. Upon completion of this certificate, students will possess the knowledge and skills to be successful at entry-level or higher positions in most specializations within Horticulture, including crop production, nursery management, landscape maintenance, golf course management, private and public gardens management, garden center operations, wholesale greenhouse growing, greenhouse operations and other related occupations.

The Horticultural Sciences Certificate can be completed in one year through a combination of face-to-face, hybrid, and online classes. It is also stackable with the AAS Horticultural Sciences degree.

(Major Code 6180; CIP Code 01.0601)

Horticultural Sciences Program web page

Program Outcomes

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is committed to offering high-quality affordable programs that focus on developing knowledge and skills conducive to life-long learning. Both the General Education Student Learning Outcomes and Institutional Learning Outcomes convey JCCC's approach to programmatic outcomes. Additionally, students who successfully complete the Horticultural Sciences Certificate from JCCC will be able to:

  • Manage soil and turf on large or small grounds.
  • Identify and know the characteristics and requirements of evergreen plants, woody deciduous plants, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, ground covers, vines, and annuals.
  • Diagnose and treat plant diseases and nutrient deficiencies.
  • Take the Kansas or Missouri licensing examination to become a certified applicator of restricted horticultural pesticides and herbicides.
  • Use seed sowing, cutting, and grafting skills for plant propagation.
  • Use pruning, fertilization, irrigation, and pest and weed control techniques to maintain a landscape.