University of North Dakota

What you'll study

This programme blends applied plant science with business and professional skills. Core horticulture topics include plant identification and taxonomy, plant physiology, propagation and nursery production, greenhouse management, soils and fertility, integrated pest management, and landscape installation and maintenance. Practical laboratory and field components are emphasised through propagation labs, greenhouse practicum, landscape construction projects and production exercises.

Business and professional coursework covers subjects such as agricultural/horticultural marketing, small business management, financial record keeping, sales and customer service, and supply-chain basics for nursery and greenhouse operations. Students typically complete an internship or practicum with a commercial grower, garden centre, landscape contractor, botanical garden or municipal parks department and a capstone or senior project that integrates production and business planning.

• Plant identification and landscape plants
• Propagation techniques: seed, cutting and grafting
• Greenhouse and controlled-environment production
• Soil science and nutrient management
• Integrated pest management and plant health
• Landscape design and installation methods
• Horticultural marketing, sales and business planning
• Internship/practicum and capstone project

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised high-school diploma or equivalent. Successful candidates usually have completed secondary courses in biology, math and English; chemistry and agricultural science are advantageous. Admissions decisions consider academic transcripts and any relevant practical experience such as work or volunteer placements in horticulture, landscaping or greenhouse operations. Transfer applicants with college-level coursework in plant or agricultural sciences are also considered. International applicants must meet the university's language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a range of roles across the green industry and public sectors. Typical career paths include greenhouse or nursery production manager, garden centre or retail manager, landscape contractor or estimator, municipal parks and grounds supervisor, extension or technical support specialist, sales representative for seeds or plant protection products, urban horticulture coordinator, and horticultural consultant. The combination of technical and business training also prepares graduates to start and manage small enterprises such as specialty plant nurseries, landscape design-build firms or horticultural service businesses.

Why study at University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers applied, career-focused horticulture training with strong hands-on learning opportunities. Students benefit from access to teaching greenhouses, field plots and laboratories where practical skills are developed alongside faculty-led research and outreach activities. The programme is well connected to regional horticultural and landscaping businesses, providing internship placements and employer networks across the Upper Midwest. Interdisciplinary options with business, agronomy and environmental programmes allow students to tailor studies to production, management or urban-horticulture careers, and university career services support placement and entrepreneurship pathways.