Certificate Program in Horticulture
Founded in 1894, the Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) delivers innovative, educational programs that develop career-ready graduates through intensive, practical learning and skill enhancement.
The IAT offers certificate programs in many areas of expertise including multiple fruit, vegetable, organic, landscape, and plant production programs. These programs are located in East Lansing, and/or in partnership with different community college locations.
The IAT seeks to prepare students for dynamic careers in a changing world with certificate programs that vary in length from 3 to 5 semesters and are highly respected across Michigan and nationally.
Horticulture Certificate Programs
Landscape and Nursery Management (MSU: East Lansing)
This program offers those students interested in working with plants, people, and in the outdoors, specialized training to pursue a career in the green industry. The program combines classroom instruction and theory with practical experience gained through field laboratories and a professional internship. Students will obtain a horticultural foundation in the production, selection, use, and management of ornamental plants. An outline of the required and elective courses can be found here: L&NM Program of Study For more information about the Landscape Industry and Career options, visit The Landscape Profession: Separating Facts from Fiction, Growing in the Green Industry, and Landscape Industry Careers.
Fruit, Vegetable and Organic Horticulture Management (MSU: East Lansing)
This program prepares students for a career in the fruit and vegetable industries. Classroom instruction and theory are combined with experience gained through field laboratories and a professional internship. Graduates work in food crop industries; fruit and vegetable production (including controlled environment opportunities); farmers’ markets; organic farms and community-supported agriculture programs; urban gardening; irrigation, installation and management; and botanical gardens. Using controlled environment vegetable production as an example, visit the Virtual Farm Tour at Gotham Greens to better understand what your work environment could look like.
An outline of the required and elective courses can be found here: FVOHM Program of Study
Contact Marcus Duck for more information about the on-campus IAT Horticulture programs at MSU.
Community College Partnership Programs
Request IAT Info Apply to the IAT
Scholarships
Scholarships are provided by industry groups and individual business firms and are awarded to students who have demonstrated superior scholastic ability or an outstanding work record. The Department of Horticulture scholarship page is the perfect place to start your search for scholarship opportunities.
Professional Internship in Agricultural Technology (Industry Placement Training)
A professional internship is required. The internship places you in a professional learning environment that challenges your ability to combine book knowledge and hands-on mastery, and your interpersonal and professional skills. You’ll earn course credit for supervised on-the-job training. Employers are eager to hire MSU graduates, in part because of the field experience you’ll take to that first job. Internships are individualized, and are as diverse as our students. You’ll have flexibility in scheduling and employment options for your internship. You must enroll in AT 293 and complete the on-line course requirements to satisfy the internship requirement.
Generally, you’ll obtain your own internship employment and negotiate wages and work schedules. We require that both you and your employer complete a written agreement, outlining the terms of the internship employment and expectations. Then you’ll report weekly to your Coordinator and receive regular feedback from your employer supervisor. You can expect a personal visit from your Coordinator during the time of your internship employment.