Horticulture
Available at: Athens
Horticulture is at the nexus of many of the solutions for problems facing the world today. Horticulture is sustainably growing fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs to feed and heal a hungry population. Horticulture is rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, and hydroponics to conserve water in greenhouses, nurseries, and home landscapes. Horticulture is mapping genes, breeding, and cloning to help plants grow more efficiently, look prettier, and resist pests. Horticulture is using new technologies like LED lighting and environmental sensors to save energy and grow plants in new places, like outer space. Horticulture is preserving and protecting our native plant ecosystems. Horticulture crops brighten our day with fresh bouquets and colorful landscapes. Horticulture is helping others, at home, and around the world, who are less fortunate. Horticulture is a starting point for an exciting career and life-long pursuit that will stay with you no matter where in the world you go and whichever path your life takes.
Coursework
Degree requirements are outlined in the UGA Bulletin. Students take mostly the basic science core for the first two years and then focus on horticulture courses for their remaining years, though at least one to two horticulture courses are taken each semester to help define your interests and goals.
Prepare
To prepare for courses to earn a Horticulture degree we recommend you:
- Volunteer at a local community garden, school, park or botanical garden
- Participate in the Young Scholars Program, 4-H, FFA, or other related programs
- Work or volunteer at a farm, golf course, nursery, garden center or other similar enterprise
Hands-On Learning
In horticulture classes you will...
- Take labs where students conduct experiments, collect data, think critically
- Go on field trips to nearby farms, nurseries and landscapes
- Conduct independent research for credit, with a faculty mentor
- Grow plants in our greenhouses, plant vegetables at UGArden, prune trees at our farm
- Grow and sell vegetables and herbs in our entrepreneurship class
- Learn growing and sales with the Horticulture Club semi-annual plant sale
- Serve the local community in one of our service-learning courses or through UGArden
- Participate in one of many student clubs and organizations
- Work an internship to gain valuable resume experience and decide your path
- Study Away in another country for a single course, or an entire semester.
What jobs can I get with a Horticulture degree?
- Botanical Garden, Arboretum, Community Garden Curator
- Plant, Seed, Chemical & Equipment Sales Representative
- Urban, Vertical or Hydroponic Farm Manager/Operator
- Greenhouse, Nursery, Farm Manager/Operator
- Cooperative Extension, Government Specialist
- Fruit or Vegetable Farm Manager/Operator
- Native Plant Restoration Specialist
- Landscape Designer/Contractor
- Horticulture Instructor
- Floral Designer
- Plant Breeder
Prospective Student Contact
Current Student Contact
How do I pay for college?
Scholarships
Each year the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) awards scholarships to students enrolled in our majors. The Horticulture Department offers work-study opportunities through Financial Aid. In addition, many students find part-time jobs assisting with faculty research, working at UGArden or the Durham Research Farm, or at any number of nearby greenhouses, nurseries, garden centers, and organic farms, many operated by UGA Horticulture graduates.
Financial Aid
To find out about deadlines and eligibility requirements, visit the University of Georgia Office of Student Financial Aid.
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Horticulture*
** Includes Self-Employed
*Source: Created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The charts above represent UGA Class of 2023 Graduates. Read more detailed Career Outcomes information for Horticulture.