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Horticulture AAS
Horticulture Department | A.A.S. Associate of Applied Science Degree | Two years
Learn how to grow and take care of plants using various trade tools and applied skills with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Horticulture from Clackamas Community College.
Do you love plants? The study of cultivating plants is a rewarding, hands-on experience that the Horticulture Associate of Science can help you realize. Master tools such as rototillers, tractors, greenhouse equipment and more while learning critical data-gathering skills in order to provide the best plant care. Clackamas Community College has a wide variety of facilities at your disposal, including a farm site, several greenhouses and a variety of different types of gardens.
For horticulture advising, please Contact April Chastain at 503-594-3292 or april.chastain@clackamas.edu
Horticulture AAS
You will develop some exciting new skills in this program. Among these new skills, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad range of skills, including: safe use of tools and equipment, growing from seeds and cuttings, landscape maintenance activities, growing in a greenhouse and vegetable bed preparation
- Identify common woody plants in the landscape
- Demonstrate an understanding of how horticulture integrates with contemporary social and environmental issues
Careers
Career opportunities include:
- nursery and garden center manager and associate
- nursery production
- greenhouse grower
- organic food production
- supply and equipment sales
- landscape design
- installation and maintenance worker
- parks department personnel
- groundskeeper
Job Market
Search related careers and regional data on wages and job outlook on Career Coach.
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)
It is the only nationally recognized endorsement offered to colleges with landscape/horticulture curricula. It is designed to recognize schools with landscape contracting curricula that meet or exceed industry standards. Visit the NALP web site.
PROGRAM CODES: AAS.HORT1
The Horticulture Department provides quality education and training for industry and community members. Greenhouse, nursery, landscape, arboriculture, and organic farming courses integrate technical knowledge, critical thinking and environmental stewardship.
Horticulture is a hands-on, project-based curriculum with a variety of lecture-lab style classes where students practice industry related skills and experience growing and caring for plants in all seasons throughout the year. Learning activities involve students in the day-to-day operation of a wide range of power and hand tools used in the trade, including: mowers, rototillers, tractors, skid steer loader, pruning tools and greenhouse equipment. Students cultivate plants in CCC’s extensive farm, ornamental gardens and greenhouse facilities. This degree sets a foundation for general horticulture, while allowing students to “choose their own adventure” with a wide selection of elective courses that meet their interests.
Students may begin this program any term, although a fall start is recommended. Degree options include a one-year certificate program or a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program. Following the course offerings in the order listed will allow for completion in the one or two-year period.
RELATED INSTRUCTION OUTCOMES
Computation (1 course- MTH-050 Technical Mathematics I or MTH-065 Algebra II or higher)
- Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems.
Communication (1 course- WR-101 Communication Skills: Occupational Writing or WR-121 English Composition)
- Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for professional audiences.
Human Relations (1 course- BA-285 Human Relations in Business or COMM-100 Basic Speech Communication)
- Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals.
Physical Education/Health/Safety/First Aid (1 course- HOR-115 Horticulture Safety)
- Use effective life skills to improve and maintain mental and physical wellbeing.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a broad range of skills in the production and maintenance of plants, including: safe use of tools and equipment, propagation from seeds and cuttings, landscape maintenance activities, growing in a greenhouse environment, and vegetable bed preparation;
- identify common woody plants in the landscape;
- recognize and evaluate key pests and propose solutions based on IPM strategies;
- use a basic understanding of plant biology and soil science to make sound decisions in the production and maintenance of plants;
- display effective decision making, time management and project management skills in the horticulture industry;
- communicate effectively with co-workers and customers through speaking, writing and computer technology.
Students are eligible to sit for the Oregon Certified Nursery Professional Exam. Students completing the Horticulture Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree with a 2.5 GPA or higher, are eligible to take the Oregon Landscape Contractors License exam.
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
Some horticulture classes transfer to Oregon State University as part of a bachelor’s degree. Horticulture students planning to continue their studies at a four-year college should consult the Horticulture advisor to obtain the most recent transfer information.
Horticulture Core Requirements
Complete 6 credits of HOR-280, or 3 credits of HOR-281 and 3 credits of HOR-282
- HOR-280
- Horticulture/CWE
- 3
- HOR-281
- Horticulture/CWE
- 3
- HOR-282
- Horticulture/CWE
- 3
Complete HOR-122 or HOR-224
- HOR-122
- Greenhouse I
- 3
- HOR-224
- Landscape Installation
- 3
Complete HOR-130 or HOR-131
- HOR-130
- Plant Propagation Theory
- 3
- HOR-131
- Tree & Shrub Pruning
- 3
Complete HOR-142 or HOR-145
- HOR-142
- Greenhouse II
- 3
- HOR-145
- Turf Installation & Maintenance
- 2
Complete HOR-235 or HOR-236
- HOR-235
- Weed Identification
- 2
- HOR-236
- Insect Identification
- 2
Complete the following Core Requirements
- BA-101
- Introduction to Business
- 4
- BA-119
- Project Management Practices
- 2
- HOR-111
- Horticulture Practicum/Fall
- 2
- HOR-112
- Horticulture Career Exploration
- 2
- HOR-120
- Pesticide Laws & Safety
- 1
- HOR-133
- Horticulture Practicum/Winter
- 2
- HOR-140
- Soils
- 3
- HOR-143
- Horticulture Practicum/Spring
- 2
- HOR-216
- Integrated Pest Management
- 3
- HOR-222
- Horticultural Computer Applications
- 2
- HOR-223
- Applied Plant Science
- 4
- HOR-226
- Plant Identification/Fall
- 4
- HOR-227
- Plant Identification/Winter
- 4
- HOR-228
- Plant Identification/Spring
- 4
- HOR-230
- Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- 2
- HOR-231
- Irrigation Design
- 3
- HOR-237
- Disease Identification
- 2
- HOR-240
- Irrigation Practices
- 3
- SPN-101
- First-Year Spanish I
- 4
Computation Related Instruction
Complete MTH-050 or MTH-065 or higher level math
- MTH-050
- Technical Mathematics I
- 4
- MTH-065
- Algebra II
- 4
Communication Related Instruction
Complete WR-101 or WR-121
- WR-101
- Communication Skills: Occupational Writing
- 3
- WR-121
- English Composition
- 4
Human Relations Related Instruction
Complete BA-285 or COMM-100
- BA-285
- Human Relations in Business
- 4
- COMM-100
- Basic Speech Communication
- 3
PE/Health/Safety Related Instruction
Complete HOR-115
- HOR-115
- Horticulture Safety
- 1
Program Electives
Complete 14 credits of Horticulture Program Electives. Please refer to the catalog for a complete list of Horticulture Program electives.
