Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, offers a broad spectrum of horticulture courses and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduates who pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture choose among four areas of specialization: Crops, landscape contracting, science and education. Virginia Tech offers horticulture graduate programs, including Master of Science degree and Ph.D. program. The M.S. in Horticulture degree is a two-year program that includes research and a thesis, and the doctoral program focuses on scientific investigations in the field, as well as teaching horticulture courses.
Virginia Tech
301 Saunders Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-5451
hort.vt.edu
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) offers a two-year associate degree in Horticulture Technology. The school offers a wide range of horticulture courses that include lectures, laboratory work and field trips. Students take a 32-hour curriculum with required courses and electives. Core courses include an Introduction to Horticulture; Tools and Equipment, a class to introduce the use and safety of power tools, sprayers and tractors; Chemicals in Horticulture, a course on organic and inorganic chemicals, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides; and Pesticides in Horticulture, which focuses on the safety and environmental concerns of pesticides. Students are also encouraged to take internships or participate in NOVA programs to gain real-life experience.
Northern Virginia Community College--Alexandria Campus
3001 N. Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-845-6200
courses.vccs.edu
Virginia Cooperative Extension offers a Master Gardeners program that trains volunteers to lead community gardening projects. The program focuses on sustainable landscape management and environmental horticulture. Master Gardener programs are offered in every county of the state. To become a Master Gardener, students need to take a minimum of 50 hours of lecture and classroom instruction and spend 50 volunteer hours teaching horticulture-based, educational programs in their community. Those who successfully complete the program are awarded a Master Gardener title. Students will learn about management practices for residential, commercial and urban public landscapes, environmental issues and erosion control.
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Tech
407 Saunders Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0327
540-231-2714
ext.vt.edu