Floriculture Schools and Degree Programs
Floriculture programs are rare, though this subject may be offered as a specialization within a horticulture degree program at the associate's and bachelor's degree levels. Read on for information about coursework in such programs and career information.
What You Need to Know
Postsecondary schooling is not required for a career in floriculture but may provide you with greater opportunities for career growth. If you decide to pursue training, you can find programs at private or vocational schools and community colleges in a number of specializations. Your classes will cover everything from real and silk flowers to the business portion of a florist's work.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td>Fundamentals of floral design, silk flower arrangements, greenhouse operations, business applications, bedding production, special floral applications, herbaceous plants, plant diseases, entomology, indoor gardening, seasonal plants and the floriculture industry</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Schools</b></td><td>Training is offered through vocational and private schools. You may find degree programs at community colleges and four-year universities.</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td>Certificates in floriculture and associate's degrees in horticulture are available. You may also find bachelor's degrees in agriculture, sustainable horticulture or plant science</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---DoINeedADegreeInFloriculture">Do I Need a Degree in Floriculture?</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<i>www.bls.gov</i>) reports that you do not need a degree to design floral arrangements and work in a retail store. Most training is done on the job and only requires candidates to hold a high school diploma or GED certificate. Although it's not required of them, many individuals earn a degree to enhance their marketability and formally learn how to operate a floral business. These training programs are usually found in private or vocational schools, with some degree programs offered from community colleges.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDegreesAreAvailable">What Degrees Are Available?</h3><p>Outside of the more rare degree program focusing on floriculture, examples of undergraduate learning opportunities in this field include the 2-year Associate in Applied Science or Associate of Science in Horticulture that pairs with a basic certificate in floriculture. Credits may transfer to a higher degree in a combined, 4-year program. You can also directly embark on a study plan to earn a Bachelor of Technology or Bachelor of Science in Crop Science or Landscape Horticulture, either of which might have a specialization in floriculture. These degrees can help you meet your career goals of tending flowers, creating arrangements or starting a greenhouse.
</p><p>You may be able to find degree and certificate programs at the following schools:
</p><ul><li>Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond)
</li><li>SUNY Cobleskill (NY)
</li><li>Ohio State University (Columbus)
</li><li>Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
</li><li>University of Massachusetts at Amherst
</li><li>Kent State University (OH)
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>In a floriculture basic certificate program, which can be a module of an Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture program, you learn the fundamentals of floral design, among a variety of other subjects. A practicum is a component of most 2-year floriculture programs, offering you work experience. These topics could potentially be explored in your certificate program:
</p><ul><li>Business applications
</li><li>Bedding production
</li><li>Wedding and funeral floral arrangements
</li><li>Greenhouse operations
</li><li>Silk flower arrangements
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatAboutCoursesInADegreeProgram">What About Courses in a Degree Program?</h3><p>An Associate in Science program teaches you about herbaceous plants, greenhouse plant production and plant diseases. Associate degree programs are available at technical schools, vocational schools and community colleges. These topics might be discussed:
</p><ul><li>Soils
</li><li>Entomology
</li><li>Plant path
</li><li>Propagation of plants in nurseries
</li><li>Use of plants in interior decoration
</li></ul><p>A 4-year Bachelor of Science program with a floriculture or horticulture focus expands upon the learning contained in an associate degree program. You may be required to participate in an internship in a horticulture-related industry. Here are some of the topics you might be covering:
</p><ul><li>Indoor gardening
</li><li>Seasonal plants
</li><li>Botany
</li><li>Environmental biology
</li><li>Ecology
</li><li>Permaculture
</li><li>Plant nutrition
</li><li>Society and environment
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatWillADegreePrepareMeFor">What Will a Degree Prepare Me For?</h3><p>Degree programs prepare you to work in floral design, landscaping, golf course management, sod production or landscape design. You may work at an ornamental nursery, golf course or greenhouse. From 2021-2031, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a twenty-one percent decline in employment of floral designers due to lack of demand and competition from grocery marts and big-box stores. Most growth will come from the retirement of current designers.</p>