Located in Portland, Oregon, The Floral Design Institute offers classes for everyone from novice to advanced students. Its personal, hands-on approach, with a maximum of 12 students in a classroom and a variety of professional and knowledgable instructors, makes it a premier school for studying all aspects of floral design. The institute also offers distance learning programs and basic (120 hours) and advanced (40 hours) courses. Two- and four-day wedding design classes and seminars are also available.
Director Michael Gaffney is an expert in floral design, and has been featured on various radio and television networks. The school offers day and evening courses with the introductory class tuition of $395, as of 2011. The school has campuses in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
Located in Boston, Rittners has been in business for 60 years, offering courses in all aspects of floral design. Students can choose from the six-month day course or 12.5-week evening course with distance learning available as well. One of the preferences at Rittners is its pay-as-you-go program.
Founded in 1963 by James Walter Metz, this school is located in Lake Worth, just five miles south of Palm Beach. It offers both basic and advanced courses in floral design and business, such as shop management, and is an active member of the Society of American Florists. Students can select from a three-week course in 2011 for $1,250, or a one-week class at $450, and the school offers job placement.