Public Horticulture

Public Horticulture is an advancing career field that connects traditional horticulture with public outreach. Potential career fields might include working in public gardens, arboreta, university extension services, hospitality industry (resorts), zoos, and community gardens. Potential career practices include public garden administration, teaching, horticultural therapy, and garden design and event planning. 

Learning outcomes

Students with graduate degrees in horticulture from Auburn University will: 

• Be able to evaluate, integrate, and apply abstract and pragmatic information to identify and develop solutions for problems within their area of study. 
• Based on their inquiry, students will use critical analysis to develop and execute research/project plans, that once complete, will add to the body of knowledge within the discipline. 
• Students will effectively communicate research plans and results to broad audiences in written formats including their research paper, thesis or dissertation as well as publications for peer-reviewed journals and possibly extension publication, poster presentations, or grant proposals. 
• Students will be expected to clearly communicate their plans and results to broad audiences in oral formats including departmental seminars as well as oral sessions in state, regional, and or national conferences. 
• Effectively facilitate at least a portion of an undergraduate course or lab. This requires the student to articulate knowledge of subject through verbal and or written communication skills and to develop classroom management skills.

Curriculum and requirements

The certificate curriculum includes courses that give students practical experience with horticultural skills and garden management as well as exposure to top public gardens around the world through travel and internship experiences.

Application process

Application deadlines for this program are based on the semester you wish to begin studies. Domestic students must apply 60 days prior to the first day of the beginning semester. International students must apply 120 days prior to the first day of the beginning semester. (Please note that this is slightly earlier than regular graduate school applications.)

The application process is handled completely through an online portal of the Auburn University Graduate School.