Environmental Horticulture Technology

Options to Study
Golf Turf Management,   Commercial Turf Management
Golf Club Management,   Ornamental Production
Landscape Design,   Grounds Management

Career Outlook and Opportunities
 Environmental Horticulture is the study of specific plants (trees, shrubs, flowers, groundcovers, and turfgrasses) in our environment having aesthetic, functional, recreational, ornamental, and/or salable value.  This major also includes the design, installation, and maintenance of such plantings and related support classes.   As highly skilled technicians and supervisory personnel, graduates obtain gainful employment in one of these highly specialized ornamental and environmental industries.

 This program will provide the individual with a detailed understanding of the technical requirements of the industry and will help the student to develop skill proficiency as a commercial environmental  horticulturalist or turf manager in production, installation, maintenance, or service.  Graduates of this program are well prepared for the Georgia Commercial Pesticide Exam.  Upon passing this exam, the Georgia Pesticide Applicator License - Certified Commercial in Ornamentals and Turf is issued. Also, the program allows students the opportunity to further develop critical thinking and problem solving skills needed in the work place.

Representative Employers
 Students trained in this program will find employment with golf courses, country clubs, athletic and recreational areas, schools, colleges, lawn maintenance, landscape companies, commercial properties, garden centers, production and retail nurseries, equipment and chemical sales, floral shops, and related horticultural and agronomic occupations.  Corresponding positions include assistant superintendents, assistants in training, spray technicians, irrigation technicians, nursery managers, sales managers in the green industry, crew supervisors, and entrepreneurs.  To be eligible to receive the Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Horticulture Technology, each student must complete the required courses of one of the specific options listed above.

Job Placement
 Environmental Horticulture impacts the lives of everyone.  A major in the green industry can be very exciting, enjoyable, and lucrative.  This career involves the management of human resources and maintenance of plant materials including recreational and commercial turfgrasses, and herbaceous and woody plant materials.  It is a significant career choice in modern society as the green industry continues to grow and gain in economic importance.  Jobs are plentiful and the environment is your office and work place.

Educational Program
  This program is a sound and widely respected curriculum throughout the nation.  Students come to campus to study Environmental Horticulture from many states and foreign countries. Each student must complete four semesters of on-campus courses and one semester of internship in experiential learning (on job training) with a reputable and established training site. Many students earn at least two of the above degrees to better prepare them for the workforce, and improve their employability.  The program is a mix of traditional and non-traditional students.  Many non-traditional students enter the program with a previous degree and complete the technical classes within a year.  Students lacking sufficient job training are encouraged to participate in a minimum of two internships in experiential learning.

A detailed listing of the courses required for these majors can be found in the ABAC catalog.