Program Overview

Introduction to the Prairie Horticulture Certificate

The Prairie Horticulture Certificate (PHC) is an online program designed specifically for the Prairies. It is collaboratively offered through a consortium of three western Canadian educational institutions: Assiniboine Community College (Manitoba), Olds College (Alberta), and the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan).

Program Overview

• The PHC is a 1-5 year certificate program.
• It requires 9-12 courses/360 credit hours for completion.
• The program is offered online and can be taken on a full- or part-time basis.
• Students can enter this program directly from high school.

What You Will Learn

Horticulture is the study of the biology, production, and utilization of fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinals, ornamental crops, trees, shrubs, and turf grass grown under field and greenhouse conditions. It is the most diverse of the agricultural industries, involving both art and science.

Careers

The PHC provides all the essential tools to work in the horticulture industry or start your own business. Horticulturists are experts in growing, diagnosing, installing, and selling plants and materials. They also do landscape and design, operate greenhouses, nurseries, and garden centers.

The Prairie Horticulture Certificate also provides opportunities to upgrade and advance your career as a:

• K-12 teacher: PHC is recognized by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education for the Additional Qualification Certificate (AQC) under the technical or vocational program category.
• Civic employee: PHC is a City of Saskatoon approved training program for employee career advancement.
• Landscape Horticulturist Apprentice: PHC is approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) for the technical training portion in the Landscape Horticulturist trade.

Streams of Study

Choose from one of five streams of study:

1. Fruit and Vegetable Production
   • Required Courses:
     • HORT 13: Applied Botany
     • SLSC 14: Soils for Horticulture
     • HORT 38: Postharvest Handling of Food Crops
     • At least three of:
       • HORT 14: Integrated Plant Management
       • HORT 15: Safework/Pesticide Application
       • HORT 41: Basics of Horticulture Marketing
       • HORT 42: Basics of Horticulture Business Management
     • At least two of:
       • HORT 21: Vegetable Production
       • HORT 23: Fruit Production
       • HORT 28: Propagation
   • Open Elective courses include:
     • Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
     • Floral Design
     • Human Resource Management
     • or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
2. Landscaping and Arboriculture
   • Required Courses:
     • HORT 13: Applied Botany
     • SLSC 14: Soils for Horticulture
     • HORT 27: Woody Landscape Plants
     • HORT 30: Arboriculture
     • At least three of:
       • HORT 14: Integrated Plant Management
       • HORT 15: Safework/Pesticide Application
       • HORT 41: Basics of Horticulture Marketing
       • HORT 42: Basics of Horticulture Business Management
     • At least two of:
       • HORT 36: Landscape Design
       • HORT 36: Landscape Construction
       • HORT 34: Indoor Landscaping
       • HORT 31: Turfgrass Production and Management
       • HORT 33: Herbaceous Landscape Plants
   • Open Elective courses include:
     • Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
     • Floral Design
     • Human Resource Management
     • or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
3. Greenhouse Crop Production
   • Required Courses:
     • HORT 13: Applied Botany
     • SLSC 14: Soils for Horticulture
     • HORT 25: Greenhouse Crop Production
     • HORT 35: Greenhouse Structures and Environments
     • At least three of:
       • HORT 14: Integrated Plant Management
       • HORT 15: Safework/Pesticide Application
       • HORT 41: Basics of Horticulture Marketing
       • HORT 42: Basics of Horticulture Business Management
     • At least one of:
       • HORT 34: Indoor Landscaping
       • HORT 28: Propagation
   • Open Elective courses include:
     • Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
     • Floral Design
     • Human Resource Management
     • or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
4. Nursery Crop Production
   • Required Courses:
     • HORT 13: Applied Botany
     • SLSC 14: Soils for Horticulture
     • HORT 26: Nursery Crop Production
     • HORT 28: Propagation
     • At least three of:
       • HORT 14: Integrated Plant Management
       • HORT 15: Safework/Pesticide Application
       • HORT 41: Basics of Horticulture Marketing
       • HORT 42: Basics of Horticulture Business Management
     • At least one of:
       • HORT 27: Woody Landscape Plants
       • HORT 36: Landscape Design
       • HORT 37: Landscape Construction
   • Open Elective courses include:
     • Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
     • Floral Design
     • Human Resource Management
     • or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
5. Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship Training
   • Complete your Landscape Horticulturist apprenticeship in Saskatchewan.
   • PHC courses are approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) as technical training credits.
   • The following courses must be taken in the order shown to qualify for year cards.
   • Required Courses
     • Level 1:
       • HORT 13: Applied Botany
       • SLSC 14: Soils for Horticulture
       • Safety Training SCSA Safety Construction Orientation Training
     • Level 2:
       • HORT 14: Integrated Plant Management
       • HORT 27: Woody Landscape Plants
       • HORT 37: Landscape Construction
     • Level 3:
       • HORT 30: Arboriculture
       • HORT 31: Turfgrass Production
       • HORT 15: Safe Work/Pesticide Application
     • Level 4:
       • HORT 34: Indoor Landscaping
       • HORT 42: Basics of Horticulture Business Management
       • HORT 36: Landscape Design

Tuition Estimates

• Estimated tuition: $608.50/$803.10 per 3/6 credit unit course
• Textbooks and materials: $475 approximate for all 9 courses
• Student fees: $134.84 per year

Admission Requirements

• 17 years of age and older
• Grade 12 or equivalent

Probationary Special Admission

Applicants for probationary special admission must:

• be 21 years of age by the first day of classes
• be entering their first year of post-secondary study
• submit any applicable transcripts as well as a resumé with their application

Students admitted on a probationary basis are permitted to register in only one course per term. Probationary students who successfully pass two courses with minimum grades of 60.0% will have probationary restrictions lifted. Probationary students who do not meet probationary requirements will be required to discontinue.

Application Deadlines

• Term 1 (September to November): August 20
• Term 2 (January to March): December 10
• Term 3 (March to May): February 25

College Information

The Prairie Horticulture Certificate is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources through a partnership with Assiniboine Community College (Brandon, Manitoba) and Olds College (Olds, Alberta).

Related Programs

• Applied Plant Ecology
• Horticulture Science
• Soil Science

Conclusion

The Prairie Horticulture Certificate is a comprehensive online program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the horticulture industry. With its flexible structure and various streams of study, the PHC offers a unique opportunity for students to pursue their interests and career goals in a field that combines art and science.