Education beyond high school typically is not required for florist jobs. Some people choose to obtain a higher education to increase their chances of being hired as a floral designer. Most schools offer certificate programs in floral design, but some offer associate or bachelor degrees as well. These degrees are generally in horticulture or floriculture. Some obtain a certificate from the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD). Certificate applicants must have a degree or state certificate in floral design, take a written exam and complete four hours of hands-on design.
Many two-year colleges offer certificate programs in floral arranging or design. A floral-design program should offer students the opportunity to work with a local florist or to design arrangements for events in the community. The school should also allow students to participate in the AIFD's National Symposium annual competition. Floral arranging programs are available in nearly every state.
Floral-design students take classes designed to familiarize them with the terminology and process of designing floral arrangements. These classes cover the basics of design including harmony, proportion, balance and florist tools. Classes also cover how to use silk flowers and how to create arrangements for weddings, funerals and holidays. Wedding classes cover the creation of corsages, boutonnieres, bouquets and hairpieces. The holiday design classes cover how to use other items besides flowers such as pine cones and fall leaves.
A student interested in floral arranging can take classes and earn a certificate online. High-speed Internet access works best for most courses because they use video or audio files to help teach the class. Classes offered online are similar to those offered on a college campus, including funeral and wedding design, and fundamentals and theory in flower design. Apply these credits toward an associate's or bachelor's degree in floral arranging. Schools provide students with learning aids to assist with hands-on design, including floral-design kits and wreath kits. Students may be required to submit photos of their arrangements to their instructors.