What will I learn?
Delve into the science of propagating and growing healthy food and essential plants and the art of designing and managing:
- landscapes
- golf courses
- sports fields
- arboretums
- community gardens
- private gardens
Unlike agriculture – which deals with large-scale production – we focus on high-value crops where every plant matters. You will learn best management practices, including integrated pest management, for conserving and protecting valuable natural resources.
Prepare for a science-based entry-level position in the rapidly advancing and diverse horticulture industry with our 31-credit hour Horticulture Sciences certificate. Or complete JCCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Horticultural Sciences over four semesters (61 credit hours), then transfer to Kansas State University or be ready to take a management position in the horticulture industry.
Pursue the Honors path to explore in greater depth any areas in which you are interested.
- Commercial Pesticide Applicator. Take Pest Management (HORT 255) to prepare you for the applicator of restricted horticultural pesticides (RUPs) certification exam.
- Certified Arborist. Enroll in Arboriculture (HORT 165) to help you succeed in the Arborist Training Course to become a certified arborist in Kansas.
Why JCCC?
Be part of the only program of its kind in the Kansas City area. Unique courses and mix of science and technology give you the foundation you need for a future in any number of careers.
Choose JCCC because:
- Eighteen of the 19 core courses have hands-on laboratory projects in the greenhouse and the field.
- A flexible schedule offers face-to-face, online and hybrid courses during the day, evening and on Saturdays.
- The Horticultural Sciences certificate is stackable with the Associate of Applied Science in Horticultural Sciences.
- Involvement in the Horticultural Sciences Student Association (HSSA) helps you build leadership and interpersonal skills while you grow and sell plants to support Horticultural Sciences scholarships.
- You finish your degree with a capstone internship (HORT 270) that often leads to a full-time career in the industry.
Join a diverse and growing discipline that has more jobs than applicants to fill them. Our basic courses in applied plant science could help you start a career in a variety of fields:
- Golf course manager/superintendent
- Grower/propagator
- Plant tissue culture lab technician
- Parks and recreation staff/manager
- Landscape design, construction and maintenance supervisor
- Greenhouse technician/manager
- Seasonal color manager
- Perennial or annual specialist
- Landscape technician/manager
- Forest crew leader/member
- Horticultural therapy assistant
- Nursery technician/manager
- Horticultural sales representative
- Horticultural science research lab technician
- Fruit or vegetable farm manager
- Public gardens or arboretum manager
- Certified arborist/urban tree specialist
- Commercial pesticide applicator
Need help with career decisions? Visit the Career Development Center.
Money matters. JCCC is working hard to make tuition affordable for you.
Here’s what we offer:
- Lower tuition
- Cav Guarantee Scholarship (for Johnson County high school graduates)
- Metro Rate (for Missouri residents in ZIP codes 640- and 641-)
- Easy scholarship application
- Financial aid experts and Free FAFSA advice
Supplies and textbook costs vary depending on your classes.
Plant Sale
Support a Future Horticulturist!
Horticultural Sciences Students Association’s Plant Sale
Stop by 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the HSC greenhouse on these days:
Tuesday, March 12
Monday, April 15
Wednesday, April 24
Tuesday, April 30
Tuesday, May 7
Plants will also be sold from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, and there will be a special sale during Cav Craze on Wednesday, May 15, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
All plants are grown from seeds, cuttings and plugs and lovingly tended by students in the JCCC greenhouse. Proceeds benefit the Horticultural Sciences scholarship fund.
Payment by check preferred. No debit or credit cards, please.
Questions? Email Lekha Sreedhar
