Horticulture
Certificate of Achievement Horticulture · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Upon completion of the Horticulture Program students will have the knowledge, skills and experience to work with plant material in multiple applications and multiple fields in the Landscaping and Nursery industries. Students will be qualified for careers in Landscape Design, Landscape Contracting, Landscape Maintenance, Arboriculture, Nursery practices, and Irrigation and Water Management.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
- Use knowledge of various plant materials to better design and maintain an outdoor garden or landscape.
- Describe man’s relationship with plants for food and environmental enhancement.
- Describe current sustainability issues in Southern California and how good horticultural practices will improve long term sustainability.
- Use knowledge of a particular chosen plant, greenhouse systems and propagation practices to successfully produce a healthy crop by a target date.
- Use knowledge of site conditions, drafting skills, client needs, and various plant and building materials to solve a design problem.
Requirements
Review Certificate Requirements.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL A183 | Botany 1 | 3 |
| orHORT A105 | Botany for Gardeners | |
| HORT A109 | Knowing Your Soils | 3 |
| HORT A181 | Ornamental Trees | 3 |
| HORT A182 | Ornamental Shrubs | 3 |
| Restricted Electives - Select twelve units from the following: | 12 | |
| Elective courses generally offered in Fall (any course may only be completed once): | ||
| HORT A111 | Landscape Drafting Technique | |
| HORT A151 | Introduction to Tree Care | |
| HORT A170 | Pest Control Applicators and Gardeners P.C.O. Certification | |
| HORT A184 | Greenhouse and Nursery Science | |
| HORT A185 | Plant Diseases | |
| HORT A200 | Chronicles of Garden Design through the Ages | |
| HORT A285 | Introduction to Landscape Design | |
| Elective courses generally offered in Spring (any course may only be completed once): | ||
| HORT A115 | Landscape Graphics | |
| HORT A116 | Digital Design | |
| HORT A150 | Landscape Maintenance | |
| HORT A183 | Plant Propagation | |
| HORT A186 | Pests of Ornamentals | |
| HORT A189 | Weeds and Their Control | |
| HORT A190 | California Friendly Landscape | |
| HORT A191 | Cacti and Succulents | |
| HORT A200 | Chronicles of Garden Design through the Ages | |
| HORT A283 | Therapeutic Gardens: Design for Healing Spaces | |
| HORT A285 | Introduction to Landscape Design | |
| HORT A286 | Landscape Design Elements | |
| HORT A287 | Planting Design | |
| HORT A288 | Sprinkler Irrigation Systems Design | |
| HORT A289 | Installation of Residential Irrigation Systems | |
| Any OCC Business Course A100 or higher | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
- Transfer students should also take BIOL A183L Botany Lab.
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| BIOL A183or HORT A105 | Botanyor Botany for Gardeners |
| HORT A109 | Knowing Your Soils |
| HORT A181 | Ornamental Trees |
| CERT RESTRICTED ELECTIVES- CHOOSE 3 UNITS (See Requirements) | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| HORT A182 |
| CERT RESTRICTED ELECTIVES- CHOOSE 9 UNITS (See Requirements) |