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The Horticulture Program graduated its first class of nine students in 1972. Twenty-six graduations later the department has 11 full-time and five part-time faculty, as well as a full- time freshman class of 60 day and 45 night students. The part-time horticulture student population now exceeds 200. The average age of our students is 38 with students ranging from those still in high school to 78 years of age.

In 1973, our student population grew so fast that classes were temporarily cancelled to hire new faculty. In the fall of 1998, the program grew 17percent. The program began with one general degree in horticulture and has expanded to include five specialized degrees and numerous certificates.

The goal of our program is to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for gainful employment in your chosen area of specialization. This goal has never changed. To receive a degree in the horticulture area, each student is required to complete two on-the-job training experiences for college credit, making up approximately 25 percent of their college experience. Learning while on the job under the supervision of a trained industry person, as well as a horticulture faculty member, is a requirement of all graduates.

Our horticulture facilities include an arboretum with over a thousand different woody and herbaceous plants for students use and a 9000-square-foot of greenhouse controlled by the latest technology, the Priva system. We cooperate with the Illinois Nurseryman's Apprentice Program and the Illinois Landscape Architects Program. Our teaching staff has two landscape architects, two Illinois certified arborists and one graduate of the American Institute of Floral Designers.

The college has partnered with the Illinois Landscape Contractor Association to host PLANET's Certified Landscape Technician - Exterior (CLT-E) field test since 1996.


Certified Landscape Technician - Exterior

Graduates of our program are in high demand. There are currently eight to 10 job offers per student seeking employment.

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