Horticultural Science Online FAQs

None that are required, but you may choose to purchase a hardcopy of the ebook used in class.  It has plant profiles and detailed photographs of plant identification characteristics.  The cost varies with the class topic.  Books are purchased directly from the NC State Print shop.  Detailed information on ordering a color or black and white copy of the book are available once you register for the class.  On average the color book is $60 and the black and white version is $20.  Shipping is $11.

The course is self paced.  There are short videos and a variety of learning exercises for you to complete online.  You log on whenever you want during the 6 weeks the course is open and do as many of the activities as you like.  The instructor will be available to answer questions, and provide feedback on assignments.  There are quizzes for each section and an optional final exam.

Yes, any Extension Master Gardener, whether in North Carolina, Pennsylvania or elsewhere qualifies for the $98 rate.  Have your Extension Agent send an email to Lucy_Bradley@ncsu.edu from their work email account stating that you are an EMGV in good standing and the name of the course for which you are registering.

The course is fully online and you will be able to access it anywhere you can get on the internet. You will not need to attend any of the classes or exams in person.

No. This is an asynchronous, fully online, self-paced, non-credit course.  You may participate anywhere that you have access to the internet.  You will have access to the course resources 24/7 for the entire 6 weeks of the class and for 6 months after the course ends.  There are no required presentations or any set times that you will need to meet online.

The Undergraduate Certificate Program in Horticultural Science is a distance education non-degree program offered through the Department of Horticultural Science. The program is designed to provide a strong foundation in the principles of horticultural science with an emphasis on current technologies and environmentally responsible practices.

Whether you simply have an interest in increasing your knowledge of the subject or are currently employed in the industry, the Undergraduate Certificate courses will equip you with an understanding of the basic concepts of horticultural science. The knowledge you gain from these courses will be applicable in a variety of situations, whether at home or on the job. Certification demonstrates interest and proficiency to potential employers and may also open new employment opportunities to people already in the horticultural industry.

Participants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in this program. Once enrolled, students must receive a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses.

Enrollment is through the Department of Horticultural Science and the University Non-Degree Studies Program. Apply directly to the Non-Degree Studies Program and email the departmental application to Ms. Elisabeth Meyer. To learn more about the application process, visit our Apply page.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Horticultural Science requires enrollees complete, within four years of enrollment, five courses (15 credit hours) chosen from a web-based list. A program may include as many as five or as few as four courses in horticultural science. Courses selected must be approved by the student’s advisor.

After acceptance into the program, NC State students may register for courses online using their Unity IDs, Unity password and PIN. For complete registration instructions, visit DELTA.

The University Certificate in General Horticulture requires 15 credit hours. Students pursuing university certificate programs are considered non-degree studies (NDS) students for the purpose of university registration; NDS students may register for a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester. Thus, the University Certificate in General Horticulture may be completed in as little as three academic terms.

The standard tuition charge per academic credit hour for in-state and out-of-state students, as applicable. See DELTA for current tuition fees.

If four horticultural science courses are selected, other course(s) may be selected from: Agricultural and Resource Economics, Agricultural and Extension Education, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Crop Science, Entomology, Food Science, Plant Pathology, and Soil Science. Courses are accessed through DELTA, the distance learning division of NC State University. On-campus students may take these Online and Distance Education courses, too. On-campus courses can be accessed through the lifelong learning program.

To transfer credits from the Certificate program to the Master’s degree, the following conditions must be met:

• The course number must be at the 500 level or higher
• The course must be letter graded
• The student must have earned a B or better in the course

The Graduate Certificate Program in Horticultural Science is a distance education non-degree program offered through the Department of Horticultural Science and the Graduate School of NC State University. The program is designed to increase personal knowledge and skills and provide advanced training for employment in the horticulture industry.

If you are a teacher or an extension agent, these graduate classes help you fulfill continuing education requirements. Certification may also open new employment opportunities to people already in the horticulture industry. The certificate courses can complement the expertise of practitioners and other horticulture professionals in specific areas by offering in-depth knowledge on specific types of horticultural crops or horticultural production systems. Taking these courses also demonstrates interest and proficiency in horticulture science to potential employers.

Participants must hold a bachelor’s degree to enroll in this program. Applicants should have majored in Horticulture or a closely related degree. Candidates must have an overall GPA of 2.5 (or 3.0 in plant science). Once enrolled, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all horticulture courses. To learn more about eligibility requirements, visit our program page.

The total Online Certificate in Horticultural Science cost estimate (North Carolina residents) for 2016-2017 is $6,178.20 for all 15 hours of coursework.

Visit NC State’s Graduate Distance Education Tuition Rates page for detailed information about graduate tuition and fees.

Financial aid eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office. We encourage you to contact your financial aid advisor in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Criteria for funding is based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and enrollment in multiple Distance Education courses per semester. For additional information, please visit NC State’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website, or call (919) 515-2421. NC State also offers a monthly payment plan.

The Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Science requires enrollees complete at least five courses (15 credit hours) within four years of enrollment. A program may include as many as five or as few as three courses in horticultural science. Courses selected must be approved by the student’s advisory committee. To learn more about the Certificate curriculum, visit the program page.

Enrollment is through the Department of Horticultural Science and Graduate School at NC State University. Applications are submitted directly to the NC State Graduate School, and will be reviewed by the graduate program director and graduate committee. To learn more about the application process, visit our Apply page.

After acceptance into the program, NC State University students may register for courses online using their Unity IDs, Unity password and PIN. For complete registration instructions, visit DELTA.

To transfer credits from the Certificate program to the Master’s degree, the following conditions must be met:

• The course number must be at the 500 level or higher
• The course must be letter graded
• The student must have earned a B or better in the course

The Master of Horticultural Science degree is a non-thesis program offered through the Department of Horticultural Science and the Graduate School of NC State University. The MHS is a professional degree that is considered to be terminal. Coursework is blended, meaning that students will learn both via online and on-campus environments. This degree is meant to provide students with an in-depth understanding of horticultural science and practices, and encompasses a broad range of topics including: fruits, vegetables, nursery and floriculture crops, plant breeding, weed science, urban horticulture, sustainable agriculture, postharvest physiology and landscape design.

Participants must hold a Bachelor of Science to enroll in this program. Background courses, especially in chemistry, biology, and horticulture, may be required. Minimum GRE scores (and TOEFL scores, for international students) may also be required. For more information on eligibility, please visit our program page.

The total Online Master of Horticultural Science cost estimate (North Carolina residents) for 2016-2017 is $14,827.68 for all 36 hours of coursework. Please note that this estimate is based on Distance Education rates; if you choose to pursue a blended program combining on-campus and distance courses, you may be subject to different rates. Visit NC State’s Tuition and Fees page for detailed information about graduate tuition and fees.

Students pursuing this degree may be eligible for teaching assistantship funding.

Financial aid eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office. We encourage you to contact your financial aid advisor in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. A limited amount of grant funding is also available to students enrolled in Distance Education degrees. Criteria for funding is based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and enrollment in multiple Distance Education courses per semester. For additional information, please visit NC State’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website, or call (919) 515-2421. NC State also offers a monthly payment plan.

Coursework for this program will be selected by the student and his or her advisory committee. A minimum of 18 credit hours must be at the 500-700 level. Standard on-campus courses will likely be a part of your coursework plan. For more information on the MHS curriculum, please visit our program page.

Students are allowed, even encouraged, to take courses from departments other than Horticultural Science. Horticulture is one area of a broad range of interconnected fields including soil science, plant biology, crop science, entomology, plant pathology, statistics, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, and agricultural education.

Enrollment is through the Department of Horticultural Science and Graduate School at NC State University. Applications are submitted directly to the NC State Graduate School, and will be reviewed by the graduate program director and graduate committee. To learn more about the application process, visit our Apply page.

After acceptance into the program, NC State University students may register for courses online using their Unity IDs, Unity password and PIN. For complete registration instructions, visit DELTA.

To transfer credits from the Certificate program to the Master’s degree, the following conditions must be met:

• The course number must be at the 500 level or higher
• The course must be letter graded
• The student must have earned a B or better in the course