Horticulture: AAS
Associate in Applied Science | 61 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Program Description:
The Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture centers on both the science and the art of horticulture through a combination of classroom theory, practical laboratory application, and on-the-job training. Courses in soils, integrated pest management, plant identification, plant culture, and cooperative horticulture are integral parts of the program. Students receive their training in the College’s greenhouses, outdoor garden classroom, and laboratories. Students should enjoy working with plants and observing their culture and growth process.
Graduates may specialize in plant research, landscape design, landscape management, greenhouse management, horticulture retail sales, and urban forestry. Employment opportunities include national, state, and city parks departments, landscape contracting firms, golf courses, retail sales, plant research or biotech companies, greenhouse growing, and retail garden centers.
Location. This program is offered in its entirety at Meramec.
Related Programs. The Horticulture Department offers certificates in the following areas:
Cannabis and Hemp Production, Certificate of Specialization
Horticulture, Certificate of Proficiency
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- identify an array of plant material in a landscape, greenhouse, or garden center setting.
- gather accurate information for soil testing.
- analyze soil test results for proper plant selection or changes to soil conditions.
- manage landscape areas and gardens using proper and professional methods of pruning, planting, and fertilizing.
- develop a landscape maintenance schedule that utilizes correct horticulture methods of management.
- identify plant pests, insects, diseases, and weeds using sustainable methods.
- design a residential or commercial landscape.
- develop a business plan for a small business in the green industry.
- apply the methods of propagating plant material using the latest technology available as practiced in a laboratory setting.
- demonstrate the ability to collaborate with community landscape programs, tending gardens, and developing tree care programs.
- maintain turf grass areas using current methods of seeding, installing, watering, fertilizing, and mowing.
- operate a greenhouse using current greenhouse management methods.
- discuss the advantages to the local ecology offered by native plants.
- grow a variety of plants in a greenhouse or field setting.
- utilize plants according to their preferred culture and soil requirements.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| MTH 140 | Intermediate Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
| COM 201 | Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) | 3 |
| or COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) | |
| or COM 107 | Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| CHM 109 | Chemistry and the Environment (MOTR CHEM 100L) | 4-5 |
| or CHM 101 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | |
| PHL 112 | Business Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102P) | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| Select 6 credit hours of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Accounting | ||
or ACC 110 | Financial Accounting | |
| Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D) | ||
| Business Law I | ||
| Small Business Management | ||
or BUS 104 | Introduction to Business Administration | |
| Introduction to Economics (MOTR ECON 100) | ||
| Introduction to Supervision | ||
| Principles of Selling | ||
| Horticulture Core Courses | ||
| HRT 101 | Introductory Horticulture | 4 |
| or BIO 124 | General Botany I (MOTR BIOL 100LB) | |
| HRT 102 | Soils | 3 |
| HRT 105 | Workplace Learning | 2 |
| HRT 206 | Woody Plants - Trees and Vines | 3 |
| HRT 207 | Woody Plants - Shrubs and Evergreens | 3 |
| HRT 214 | Landscape Management | 3 |
| HRT 227 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| HRT 230 | Herbaceous Perennials and Ornamental Grasses | 3 |
| Horticulture Electives | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours of the following: | ||
| Plant Propagation | ||
| Landscape Graphics | ||
| Digital Applications in Landscape Design | ||
| Micropropagation of Plants | ||
| Introduction to Cannabis | ||
| Cannabis and Hemp Cultivation | ||
| Laboratory Methods for Cannabis Extraction | ||
| Topics in Horticulture | ||
| Turfgrass Management | ||
| Nursery and Garden Center Practices | ||
| Landscape Design I | ||
| Landscape Design II | ||
| Landscape Irrigation | ||
| Annuals and Vegetables | ||
| Greenhouse Management | ||
| Urban Tree Management | ||
| Native Landscaping Practices | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 61-62 | |
Academic Plan
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| HRT 101 or BIO 124 | Introductory Horticulture or General Botany I (MOTR BIOL 100LB) | 4 | Reading Proficiency | |
| XXX xxx | Program Requirement Elective | 3 | Choose from ACC 100 OR ACC 110, ART 109, BLW 101, BUS 101 OR BUS 104, ECO 140, MGT 101, and MKT 104. | |
| CHM 109 or 101 | Chemistry and the Environment (MOTR CHEM 100L) or Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | 4-5 | MTH 020 with a minimum grade of "C" or testing into MTH 140 or higher, and Reading Proficiency | CHM 109 is preferred. |
| XXX xxx | HRT Elective | 3 | Choose from HRT 106, HRT 134, HRT 135, HRT 140, HRT 201, HRT 205, HRT 217, HRT 220, HRT 241, HRT 242, and HRT 250. See footnote below. | |
| HRT 206 | Woody Plants - Trees and Vines | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in HRT 101 or BIO 124 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered in the Fall semester only. |
| Credit Hours | 17-18 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| HRT 102 | Soils | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in HRT 101 or BIO 124 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| HRT 207 | Woody Plants - Shrubs and Evergreens | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in HRT 101 or BIO 124 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered in the Spring semester only. |
| XXX xxx | HRT Elective | 3 | Choose from HRT 103, HRT 104, HRT 106, HRT 136, HRT 137, HRT 140, HRT 241, and HRT 242. See footnote below. | |
| MTH 140 | Intermediate Algebra (or higher) | 3 | Satisfactory placement and Reading Proficiency | |
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) or Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) or Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Summer | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| HRT 230 | Herbaceous Perennials and Ornamental Grasses | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in HRT 101 or BIO 124 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered in the summer term only. |
| HRT 214 | Landscape Management | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in HRT 101 or BIO 124 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| If a student wishes to take HRT 235, they can take it in the summer semester and adjust their academic plan accordingly. HRT 235 will fulfill 3 hours of the Horticulture Elective requirement. | See footnote below. | |||
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| HRT 227 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 | HRT 101 or BIO 124, HRT 206, HRT 207 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| XXX xxx | HRT Elective | 3 | Choose from HRT 106, HRT 134, HRT 135, HRT 140, HRT 201, HRT 205, HRT 217, HRT 220, HRT 241, HRT 242, and HRT 250. See footnote below. | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 | ||
| PHL 112 | Business Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102P) | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| HRT 105 | Workplace Learning | 2 | HRT 102, HRT 206, HRT 207, HRT 214, and HRT 230 with minimum grades of "C", approval of Horticulture Department Program Coordinator, and Reading Proficiency | |
| XXX xxx | HRT Elective | 3 | Choose from HRT 103, HRT 104, HRT 106, HRT 136, HRT 137, HRT 140, HRT 241, and HRT 242. See footnote below. | |
| XXX xxx | Program Requirement Elective | 3 | Choose from ACC 100 OR ACC 110, ART 109, BLW 101, BUS 101 OR BUS 104, ECO 140, MGT 101, and MKT 104. | |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 61-62 | |||
- 1
Horticulture Electives can be taken in any semester, provided the student has met the prerequisites. However, the following Horticulture courses that fulfill the Horticulture Elective requirement are only taught in the fall: HRT 134, HRT 135, HRT 201, HRT 205, HRT 217, HRT 220, and HRT 250. The following courses, that fulfill the Horticulture Elective requirement, are taught in both the fall and spring semester: HRT 106, HRT 140, HRT 241, and HRT 242.
- 2
Horticulture Electives can be taken in any semester, provided the student has met the prerequisites. However, the following Horticulture courses that fulfill the Horticulture Elective requirement are only taught in the spring: HRT 103, HRT 104, HRT 136, HRT 137, and HRT 218. The following courses, that fulfill the Horticulture Elective requirement, are taught in both the fall and spring semester: HRT 106, HRT 140, HRT 241, and HRT 242.
- 3
Horticulture electives can be taken in any semester, provided the student has met the prerequisites. However, HRT 235, which fulfills the Horticulture elective is only taught in the summer.
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.