Many students with a passion for plants may think about turning their green thumb into a future career. The Horticultural Sciences program at JCCC is the perfect place to start.
What Will I Learn in JCCC’s Horticultural Sciences Program?
Delve into the science of propagating and growing healthy food and essential plants, as well as the art of designing and managing:
- Landscapes
- Golf courses
- Sports fields
- Arboretums
- Community gardens
- Private gardens
Unlike agriculture—which deals with large-scale production—the Horticultural Sciences program at Johnson County Community College focuses on cultivation of high-value crops where every plant matters. As a horticulturist, an understanding of the basic physiology of plant species is essential to successfully manipulate the “growing conditions” required to propagate, cultivate and manage high-value crops. With the scientific and technical horticultural sciences knowledge obtained at JCCC, graduates should be able to grow any plant, native or non-native. Our curriculum also emphasizes 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 Horticulture Sciences certificate. Or complete JCCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Horticultural Sciences over four semesters, then transfer to Kansas State University or be ready to take a management position in the horticulture industry.
Pursue the Honors Program path to explore in greater depth any areas in which you are interested.
- Commercial Pesticide Applicator: Take Pest Management (HORT 225) 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 for Horticultural Science Courses?
Be part of the only program of its kind in the Kansas City area. The mix of unique horticultural science courses at JCCC, including a mix of science and technology, will give you the foundation you need for a future in any number of careers.
Choose JCCC for horticultural science because:
- 18 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, evenings, 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.
- Finish your degree with a capstone internship (HORT 270) that often leads to a full-time career in the industry.
You can transfer many of your JCCC credit hours to Kansas State University, or other universities, to pursue a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree.
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, including:
- Golf courses 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
Download the Horticultural Sciences Program Outlook (PDF) for employment projections and salary information.
Many students may find that the cost of attending college can be a huge stress. At JCCC, we are always working to make tuition as affordable as possible so all of our students can succeed academically.
We offer the following options at JCCC:
- Lower tuition
- Cav Guarantee Scholarship (for Johnson County high school graduates)
- Metro Rate(for Missouri residents in ZIP codes 640- and 641-)
- Financial aid experts and Free FAFSA advice
- Easy scholarship application
Additional fees may be required for textbooks and other supplies. The cost of these items can vary depending on which of JCCC’s Horticultural science courses you are enrolled in.
There are several things to consider when budgeting for college. Visit our Cost of Attendance page for detailed information.
Resources and Tools at JCCC
Several tools and resources are available to all students at JCCC. At our community college, we offer small class sizes, tutoring services, and personalized one-on-one learning. We want your experience at JCCC to be both educational and memorable.
Our Financial Aid counselors are here to help if you are looking for loan and scholarship options. There are many financial aid opportunities that can help to lower your out-of-pocket costs each semester.
Our Career Development Center and Academic Counseling services are here to provide guidance for your future plans post-graduation. If you’re still unsure about which career path you wish to take, visit one of these offices today!
If you’re thinking about transferring your credits to another school, JCCC’s transfer process makes it easy for you to continue your education elsewhere if you desire to do so.
