Chicago Botanic Garden

Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Certificate Programs
Horticultural Therapy Certificate of Merit Program

May 2 – September 30, 2011

This exciting program combines a 12-credit-hour accredited certificate program with hands-on training, allowing students to gain experience and skills through participating in one of the premier horticultural therapy programs in the country.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Individuals who wish to achieve competency in creating, delivering, and evaluating plant- and nature-based activities adapted to a variety of functional abilities. You will have honed essential horticultural skills, and you will have an understanding of the theory and delivery methods unique to horticultural therapy.

For more than 30 years, the Chicago Botanic Garden has been at the forefront of the horticultural therapy field, providing consulting, training, and direct services throughout the country and around the world. We are now partnering with Oakton Community College, recognized as a model two-year college in a recent New York Times article, to offer a unique and innovative professional development program, the Horticultural Therapy Certificate (HTC).

HORTICULTURAL THERAPY

Horticultural therapy (HT) is the professionally directed use of plant, garden, and nature activities to achieve measurable physical and mental health outcomes for clients. Horticultural therapists practice in hospitals, rehabilitation and vocational facilities, skilled care agencies and senior centers, community gardens, botanic gardens, schools, horticultural businesses, prisons, and other settings.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The focus of this professional development program is to expand your expertise and range of services by integrating horticultural therapy with your current vocation. The HTC program has a problem-based curriculum that utilizes scenarios students will likely encounter in their professional practice to expose them to the issues and concerns unique to horticultural therapy. Students work independently and in groups to complete projects based on these real-world situations. Additionally, problem-based learning enhances the ability to self-assess and correct, which is an essential component of developing and revising successful treatment. Skills for creating, delivering, and evaluating HT activities will be gained while working with program participants who are served by a range of healthcare and human service agencies. Further, students will gain horticultural skills essential for horticultural therapists in the Chicago Botanic Garden's award-winning Buehler Enabling Garden, where you will assist with the design, planting, and maintenance of seasonal displays.

PHOTO: woman in wheelchair working in a raised bed gardenPROGRAM DESIGN

The HTC program offers unparalleled opportunities for student immersion into the field of horticultural therapy. This unique curriculum is an intensive five-month program that combines on-site education with hands-on training and user-group interaction. All course work is accredited through the Garden's partnership with Oakton Community College. The three required courses are to be taken concurrently and are worth a total of 12 credit hours.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Students will complete the five-month certificate at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The program will begin on May 2, 2011, and conclude no later than September 30, 2011. The program runs Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., with some weekend activities required.

PREREQUISITES

A bachelor's degree, including a minimum of three qualifying college courses in the health or human sciences field or documented work experience/professional training in the following areas: group theory, disabling conditions, therapeutic skills, and teaching/learning. Click here for further program requirements.

PROGRAM OUTCOME

Click here for a list of learning objectives. If you plan to become a registered horticultural therapist (HTR) through the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), this certificate will count for 12 credit hours, nine HT certificate hours, and three Horticulture hours. Students will have the opportunity to obtain a number of internship hours during this five-month session toward HTR credentials. The internship hours are subject to availability and can be achieved by working weekends and/or Mondays.

For a comprehensive explanation of HTR registration standards, please visit www.ahta.org/content.cfm?id=professional_registration. For all other questions concerning becoming an HTR, please see www.ahta.org.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications for the 2011 program must be received by February 18, 2011. Click here to apply online. Once you are accepted through the Chicago Botanic Garden, you must complete a separate application and payment of tuition fees to Oakton Community College.

PROGRAM TUITION AND FEES

The total cost for the Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program is $1,100. This includes tuition, application fee, registration fee, activity fee, and the course fees for HTC 100, HTC 101, and HTC 110. Students must be in the Chicagoland area for the length of the program. Limited internship housing opportunities may be available, but placements are subject to availability and not guaranteed. Payment plans are available through Oakton Community College.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about your application or the Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program, please contact Amelia Simmons-Hurt at or (847) 835-8293.