Students who are interested in learning the skill of flower arranging can complete one-year certificate, two-year associate degree or four-year bachelor's degree programs in floral design, interior design or horticulture, according to Education-Portal.com. Flower arranging schools include the California Flower Art Academy, the Houston School of Floral Design in Texas and Penn State University in Pennsylvania, which offers a bachelor's degree in horticulture that includes flower arranging instruction.
To get into a certificate or degree program, students typically must submit their high school diploma or GED. In addition, four-year schools might request copies of a potential student's scores on standardized tests such as the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Some flower arranging schools provide an online continuing education option. For example, Floral Design Institute and Rittners School of Floral Design offer distance-learning home study programs. These types of courses usually lead to a certificate or diploma or allow students to apply credits toward a degree program in this field. To succeed in an online flower arranging program, students must have access to a computer with high-speed Internet to accommodate video and audio files.
Students should be comfortable with using e-mail and discussion forums to submit assignments and communicate with instructors and fellow students. At Floral Design Institute, students complete hands-on projects and photograph their work to send to instructors for evaluation.
Courses at flower arranging schools cover topics such as how to integrate silk and dried flowers into designs and how to create sophisticated-looking floral pieces. Students may also learn how to develop sympathy designs to put on caskets for memorial services or funerals. Other classes address the 600-year old Japanese Ikebana floral arrangement style.
Students at flower arranging schools also will learn how to make corsages as well as bridal bouquets and boutonnieres and how to incorporate lace, beads and ribbon into designs used to decorate reception halls and churches. Basic design skills such as using depth, color and lines appropriately are an important part of flower arranging school training.
After training at a flower arranging school, students can pursue a wide range of career opportunities. For example, they can work for independent floral shops that handle wedding or interior designer orders, grocery store floral departments or even Internet florists. Schools also prepare students to take the voluntary American Institute of Floral Designers examination. This includes a written test on floral terminology and an onsite test during which candidates must complete floral designs for tables, weddings and funerals. Certification can boost a designer's employment opportunities.