University of Vermont

What you'll study

This programme combines plant science with applied production and business modules. Core topics typically include plant identification and taxonomy, plant physiology, soils and fertilisation, integrated pest management, greenhouse and nursery production, plant propagation, pruning and landscape plant care. Business and professional skills are woven through the curriculum via modules in agricultural/horticultural marketing, small‑business management, accounting for growers, supply chain and sales, and regulatory issues relevant to horticulture.

Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, laboratory classes, field practicums and supervised work placements. You will spend significant time in production‑based labs and on outdoor sites learning propagation techniques, crop scheduling, irrigation and climate control for protected culture, as well as season‑long production planning. The degree usually culminates in a capstone or practicum project where students apply technical and business knowledge to a real or simulated enterprise.

• Plant Structure and Identification
• Soils, Nutrition and Fertility Management
• Propagation and Nursery Management
• Greenhouse Technology and Controlled Environment Production
• Integrated Pest and Disease Management
• Landscape Establishment and Maintenance
• Horticultural Business Management and Marketing
• Legal and Environmental Issues in Horticulture
• Internship / Industry Placement and Capstone Project

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high school leaving qualification with passes in science and mathematics. Recommended subjects include biology, chemistry and mathematics, and prior practical experience with gardening, farming or nursery work is an advantage. Typical admissions steps include a completed application, academic transcripts, and a personal statement describing your interest in horticulture and any relevant experience.

Transfer applicants with relevant post‑secondary credits or students with workplace experience in horticulture may be considered; some applicants are asked to provide a portfolio or references from employers or supervisors. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test or recognised equivalent.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of roles across commercial production, landscapes, retail and advisory services. Common career destinations include:

• Greenhouse, nursery and greenhouse production manager
• Landscape operations manager, landscape contractor or grounds manager
• Plant breeder’s technician, propagation specialist
• Horticultural sales representative, retail garden centre manager
• Agricultural extension and outreach specialist, technical advisor for growers
• Urban agriculture and community food‑system project manager
• Entrepreneur running a nursery, landscaping business or plant‑based enterprise

Practical placement experience and business modules improve employability for management and ownership roles; graduates can also pursue further study or certification in areas such as organic production, integrated pest management, or landscape contracting.

Why study at University of Vermont

Studying horticulture at the University of Vermont gives you access to a university that blends strong applied agricultural teaching with research and community engagement. The campus’s location provides close links to a diverse regional agricultural sector, enabling hands‑on learning at nearby farms, community gardens and production sites. Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across plant science, environmental studies and business, plus opportunities for internships with local growers, botanical institutions and landscape firms.

UVM’s emphasis on experiential learning, sustainability and extension means the programme is designed to prepare graduates for the practical realities of modern horticulture while equipping them with the business skills needed to lead or create enterprises in the sector.