Cultivate Your Passion for Plants
Are you passionate about plants? Do you want to learn environmentally responsible ways to grow and care for them? If so, the horticulture program at St. Louis Community College is the perfect place for you.
Our associate degree in horticulture features 10 acres of living laboratories and outdoor classrooms where you’ll gain direct experience in plant identification, landscape management, irrigation, turf management, and landscape design.
In addition to foundational horticulture skills, you’ll develop important soft skills that employers want, such as critical thinking, planning, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to change.
Our close working relationships with the region’s top businesses that strive for sustainable means of growth can help open doors to your new horticulture career.
Whether you’re interested in a career in landscaping, gardening, or environmental conservation, the associate of applied science (AAS) degree in horticulture can help you reach your goals.
What Is Horticulture at St. Louis Community College?
Become career-ready with an associate of applied science degree at one of the largest horticulture programs in Missouri and the U.S.
The STLCC Garden Classroom is a living laboratory for students and a botanical garden for the STLCC community. Our extensive tree collection and 10 acres of native, woodland and ornamental gardens provide a vibrant setting for firsthand horticulture courses.
Roll up your sleeves as you learn from the best in the business through field trips and guest lectures. You’ll gain real-world understanding of horticulture and its many opportunities as you:
- Meet with arborists, growers, company founders, ecologists, garden center owners, soil scientists, and landscape designers.
- Visit retail garden centers, growers, plant laboratories, arboretums, ornamental gardens, turf farms, nurseries, community gardens, and nature reserves.
- Take horticulture courses from expert faculty, featuring best management practices, industry trends and leading-edge strategies that impact the marketplace.
"The hands-on education I’ve had in the horticulture program has been incredible. The Garden Classroom, in conjunction with the regular classroom setting, has been a wonderful learning tool for me and my fellow classmates."
- Sharon Ricker, expected 2025 graduate
What Can You Do with a Horticulture Degree?
Turn your passion for plants into a rewarding career. An associate in applied science is a good fit for you if you’re interested in providing valuable guidance to farmers, landscapers and others in agriculture and gardening.
Graduates with a degree in horticulture find jobs at:
- botanical gardens
- national parks
- research and development companies
- greenhouses
- golf courses
- cannabis production facilities
- independent landscape companies
- and more
In fact, 80% of our students are working in the field before graduation.
The STLCC horticulture program also prepares you to take local exams for Plant Pest Management, Native Plant Certification and Landscape Design Certification.
Become well-prepared for a successful career with an associate degree in horticulture from STLCC.
AAS in Horticulture
- Degree offered: Associate of Applied Science
Certificate of Proficiency (CP) also available - Locations: Meramec and BRDG Park
- AAS hours to complete: 61
- CP Hours to complete: 30
- Program contact: Jerry Pence
- Program contact email: jpence@stlcc.edu
Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour for in-district students. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
Accreditation
St. Louis Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). All college degree programs are approved by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD).
Why You Should Choose STLCC’s Horticulture Program
Graduate with Little or No Debt
Save over $4,700 per year with tuition that’s one-third lower than other local institutions. We’ll also help you navigate scholarship options and financial aid.
Professional Faculty and Staff
STLCC has experienced and passionate horticulture professors and staff from the green industry who help students land great jobs.
Hands-on Learning
STLCC Meramec's 10-acre outdoor Garden Classroom and state-of-the-art facilities give horticulture students hands-on experience in all aspects of the field.
Business Networking
STLCC's horticulture program partners with local businesses and organizations to give students real-world experience and knowledge of the latest trends and strategies.
STLCC. What's your reason?