About the Prairie Horticulture Certificate
The Prairie Horticulture Certificate (PHC) is an online horticulture program designed specifically for the prairies. It was developed for professionals and is collaboratively offered through a consortium of three Western Canadian educational institutions: Assiniboine Community College (Manitoba), Olds College (Alberta) and the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan). PHC provides all the essential tools to work in the horticulture industry so you can start your own business or advance your career. It is designed as a part-time program with a flexible schedule to accommodate your school and work-life balance. Courses are offered over three terms per year but not during summer (June through August) as this is typically the busy season for horticultural professionals and enthusiasts.
* All coursework, assignments, and exams are completed online. Students are required to have a personal computer equipped with internet access. Courses cannot be completed on a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet. Basic common computer literacy skills are also a must. These skills should include word processing, email and file sharing/collaboration tools, internet and database navigation.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | Approximately 2 years, part-time with continuous registration |
| Options | You can take classes for personal interest as a non-certificate option |
| Delivery | Online |
| Requirements | 9 courses/360 hours for completion |
| Course fees | $485 to $640 per course (CDN) |
| Textbooks and materials | Approximately $475 (total for 9 courses) |
| Application fee | $75 to $95 depending on your chosen home institution |
| Pre-requisites | High school diploma or equivalent. Computer skills* |
Cannabis Crop Production Course now available
This class introduces cannabis specific botany and production requirements in both a greenhouse and warehouse settings. Topics include: plant growth cycle, genetics, propagation, pest management, integrated crop management (ICM) and harvesting criteria under controlled environments. This class also introduces the chemical composition of cannabis and its importance from medical and recreational perspectives.
This course can be used as an open elective for any stream in the PHC program.
Register early as capacity is limited.
Term 2
Streams of study
To obtain your certificate, complete the required number of core courses, together with the courses specified for a particular stream and maintain an overall weighted average of 60%. You must complete a minimum of nine courses equal to 360 hours (36 credit weights) to meet the graduation requirements. You may also take individual classes for personal interest or professional upgrading.
Choose your stream of study:
For course descriptions, click on the course name.
Required Courses:
and at least three of:
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least two of:
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
Required Courses
- Applied Botany (U of S)
- Soils for Horticulture (U of S)
- Woody Landscape Plants (U of S)
- Arboriculture (Olds)
and at least three of
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least two of
- Landscape Design (Olds)
- Landscape Construction (Olds)
- Indoor Landscaping (U of S)
- Turfgrass Production and Management (ACC)
- Herbaceous Landscape Plants (Olds)
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
For course descriptions, click on the course name.
Required Courses:
- Applied Botany (U of S)
- Soils for Horticulture (U of S)
- Greenhouse Crop Production (Olds)
- Greenhouse Structures and Environments (Olds)
and at least three of
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least one of
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
For course descriptions, click on the course name.
Required Courses
- Applied Botany (U of S)
- Soils for Horticulture (U of S)
- Nursery Crop Production (ACC)
- Propagation (Olds)
and at least three of
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least one of
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (U of S)
- Floral Design (U of S)
- Human Resource Management (ACC)
- Cannabis Crop Production (Olds)
- OR any course from another elective stream
Scholarships
Garden Writers’ Association (GWA)
The Garden Writers’ Association offers scholarships intended as a tuition aid or as an aid in the purchase of textbooks, garden books, and special horticultural projects. Scholarships can range from $500 to $1,000.
Other scholarships
Visit your chosen home institution’s webpage to see other available scholarships.
How to apply
Each home institution has a different set of requirements and application processes.
Step 1: Choose your home institution
Step 2: Review the guidelines of your home institution
Step 3: Ensure you meet the admission requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent; probationary admission options are also available.
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
Complete the application form as required by your chosen home institution and submit all supporting documentation.
Step 5: Arrange transcripts
Arrange to have your high school or post-secondary transcripts sent directly to your chosen home institution.
Step 6: Permanent Residency Status
If applicable, ensure you have the correct documentation (i.e. record of landing certificate) to accompany your application.
Step 7: Application fee
Your home institution may require the payment of an application fee.
After you’ve applied
Once you have been admitted to the PHC program at your chosen home institution, you will receive notification and will then be able to register for classes. It is important to note that all activities such as registering for all classes, fee payments, withdrawing from classes etc., will only be done through your selected home institution.
Contact us
Colleen Nernberg,
Program Assistant
204-773-5180 1-800-862-6307 ext. 6968
204-773-2134 (fax)
nernberc@assiniboine.net
Ben Welsh,
Coordinator
204-725-8700 ext. 6759
welshb@assiniboine.net
Melanie Herspiegel,
Program Assistant
403-556-8321
mherspiegel@oldscollege.ca
Jillian McLerie,
Program Manager
403-556-8368
jmclerie@oldscollege.ca
Lyndon MacNeill,
Program Assistant
306-966-5034
certificates.admin@usask.ca
Jill Turner,
Program Manager
306-966-1382
jill.turner@usask.ca