Chicago Botanic Garden
Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Certificate Programs
Professional Gardener Certificate, Levels 1 and 2

In the Professional Gardener Certificate of Merit Program, students gain the fundamental knowledge and skills required of garen professionals. This training program features hands-on learning leading to a new career or career advancement in the green industry.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Aspiring professional gardeners, landscape technicians, landscape maintenance professionals, and other green industry individuals seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites for this program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed.

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 PHOTO: Painting in studio class

PGL 1 Required Courses Prerequisites
Botany 1 None
Choice of four OPC core courses  
Gardening Techniques: Session A*  
Gardening Techniques: Session B*  
Gardening Techniques: Session C Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session D*  
Hardscape Basics*  
Plant Health 1 Botany 1
PGL 2 Required Courses Prerequisites
Botany 1 None
Botany 2 Botany 1
All OPC core courses Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session A*  
Gardening Techniques: Session B*  
Gardening Techniques: Session C Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session D*  
Graphics*  
Hardscape Basics*  
Plant Health 1 Botany 1
Plant Health 2 Botany 1, Botany 2, Plant Health 1
Soils and Water Botany 1
Project Basics Botany 1
Planting Design Botany 1, 4 OPC core courses, Project Basics
Project Management Botany 1, 6 OPC core courses, Project Basics, Planting Design

*Class may be taken prior to fulfilling the Botany 1 requirement.

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS close panel

This certificate represents a competency-based qualification relevant to the region's industry — learn what it takes to meet and exceed standards of horticultural excellence.

After completing Botany 1, all remaining core courses may be taken in any order. If Botany 1 is not listed as a prerequisite, the course may be taken at any time.

Students pursuing the PGL2 Certificate are encouraged to complete their Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate as well. This only requires the addition of 24 hours of elective credit.

For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within five years of the start date of our first core course.

You can prove proficiency for up to 20 percent of the coursework by passing proficiency exams for approved courses or providing transcripts indicating grades of at least 70 percent for similar courses. There is no separate enrollment for the program.

A SAMPLE 3-YEAR COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL GARDENER LEVEL 2 PROGRAM close panel

YEAR 1

Gardening Techniques: Session B

Botany 1

Hardy Bulbs

Gardening Techniques: Session C

Small Flowering Trees

Gardening Techniques: Session D

Ground Covers and Vines

Deciduous Trees

Soils and Water

Gardening Techniques: Session A

Plant Health 1

YEAR 2

Botany 2

Graphics

Project Basics

Deciduous Flowering Shrubs

Annuals and Biennials

Herbaceous Perennials

Plant Health 2

Conifers & Broad-leafed Evergreens

Hardscape Basics

Planting Design

YEAR 3

Project Management

Garden Design Studio