Horticulture Technology (A15240)

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Plant Systems Pathway Description: These curricula are designed to prepare individuals for various careers in horticulture. Classroom instruction and practical laboratory applications of horticultural principles and practices are included in the program of study.

Course work includes plant identification, pest management, plant science and soil science. Also included are courses in sustainable plant production and management, landscaping, and the operation of horticulture businesses.

Graduates should qualify for employment in a variety of positions associated with nurseries, garden centers, greenhouses, landscape operations, governmental agencies/parks, golf courses, sports complexes, highway vegetation, turf maintenance companies, and private and public gardens. Graduates should also be prepared to take the North Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s Examination and/or the North Carolina Certified Plant Professional Examination.

Horticulture Technology program description: A program that focuses on the general production and management of cultivated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.

This curriculum complies with the standard approved by the State Board of Community Colleges.

Students may be required to take one or more developmental courses as a result of pre-enrollment placement tests; therefore, the student may need more than the minimum number of semester hours listed for graduation. Developmental courses for this program may include Readiness Level Reading, English, and/or Math and other courses in developmental Reading, English, Math, Biology and Chemistry. For more information on developmental courses, see page 52 or speak to a program advisor. 

Fall Semester  (16 Credits)

Spring Semester (15 Credits)

Summer Term (9 Credits)

**3 Credits must be selected from the list of Social/Behavioral Science Elective at the bottom of the page

Fall Semester  (9 Credits)

***09 Credits must be selected from the list of major course electives at the bottom of the page

Spring Semester (13 Credits)

**3 Credits must be selected from the list of Humanities Elective at the bottom of the page

***09 Credits must be selected from the list of major course electives at the bottom of the page

**Humanities Electives

The following listings for Humanities Electives apply to Associate in Applied Science degree-seeking students. These electives should be carefully selected with the faculty advisor to ensure proper credit. Some programs of study have specific courses that meet the humanities elective requirement. ASL, foreign language, and public speaking courses cannot count as the sole humanities course in an associate in an applied science program.

• ART 111 Art Appreciation

• ART 114 Art History Survey I

• ART 115 Art History Survey II

• DRA 111 Theatre Appreciation

• DRA 112 Literature of the Theatre

• DRA 211 Theatre History I

• ENG 231 American Literature I

• ENG 232 American Literature II

• ENG 241 British Literature I

• ENG 242 British Literature II

• ENG 262 World Literature II

• HUM 123 Appalachian Culture

• HUM 160 Introduction to film

• MUS 110 Music Appreciation

• PHI 210 History of Philosophy

• PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics

• REL 110 World Religions

• REL 211 Intro to Old Testament

• REL 212 Intro to New Testament

• REL 221 Religion in America

**Social/Behavioral Science Electives

The following listing for Social/Behavioral Science Electives applies to Associate in Applied Science degree-seeking students. These electives should be carefully selected with the faculty advisor to ensure proper credit. Some programs of study have specific courses that meet the social/behavioral science elective requirement.

• ANT 210 General Anthropology

• ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics

• ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics

• GEO 111 World Regional Geography

• HIS 111 World Civilizations I

• HIS 112 World Civilizations II

• HIS 131 American History I

• HIS 132 American History II

• POL 120 American Government

• POL 130 State and Local Government

• PSY 150 General Psychology

• PSY 237 Social Psychology

• PSY 241 Developmental Psychology

• PSY 281 Abnormal Psychology

• SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology

• SOC 213 Sociology of the Family

• SOC 220 Social Problems

***Major Course Electives are to be selected from the following:

Total Hours Required in Program: 68

Students may earn a more focused Associate of Applied Science degree in Horticulture Technology by selecting the Major Course Electives.