The Horticulture program prepares students for many attractively paying positions in the nursery industry. These positions include those in production and sales, interior plantscaping, landscape design, and construction and maintenance.

Students may take one or more courses from the program to learn about horticulture for its own sake and for theirs, or they may take the courses required for the Associate in Science in Horticulture. Either option is an introduction to natural beauty. The courses have been designed both for full-time students planning to enter the horticulture field and for those people working in one of the many interesting areas of horticulture who wish to expand their horticultural knowledge. Most classes are conducted during convenient evening hours to allow working students to study for a new career and those with jobs in the field of ornamental horticulture to upgrade their skills.

The Horticulture Department boasts excellent facilities, including a well-equipped classroom building set in beautifully landscaped grounds. The grounds themselves have been planted with a large collection of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and vines, and they serve as a laboratory for many of the classes. A nursery with over 6,000 square feet of greenhouse space and 4,000 square feet of shade structures round out this marvelous facility on the Orange Coast College campus.

Program Mission

Statement Upon completion of the Ornamental Horticulture Program students will have the knowledge, skills and experience to work with plant material in multiple applications and multiple fields in the Landscaping and Nursery industries. Students will be qualified for careers in Landscape Design, Landscape Contracting, Landscape Maintenance, Arboriculture, Nursery practices, and Irrigation and Water Management.

Program Outcomes

1. Use knowledge of various plant materials to better design and maintain an outdoor garden or landscape.
2. Describe man's relationship with plants for food and environmental enhancement.
3. Describe current sustainability issues in Southern California and how good horticultural practices will improve long-term sustainability.
4. Use knowledge of a particular chosen plant, greenhouse systems, and propagation practices to successfully produce a healthy crop by a target date
5. Use knowledge of site conditions, drafting skills, client needs, and various plant and building materials to solve a design problem.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education. 

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Transfer students should also take BIOL A183L Botany Lab.

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Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.

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Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

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VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS

Restricted Electives

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Math A030 or higher OR take 3-4 degree applicable elective units if math competency was met through completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better; *100-level Math courses satisfy AS Math Requirement and OCC AS GE AREA A2

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OCC AS GE AREA A2 - Required if 100-level MATH will not be taken to meet Math competency. If MATH A100 or higher will be taken, then needs to take 3-4 degree applicable elective units

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VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS