General Horticulture

Associate in Applied Science Degree

This program is designed to provide a generalized study of horticulture requiring basic introductory courses while offering a wide range of electives so that the students can develop their desired areas of expertise.

Students receive training in plant identification, botany, entomology, soils, and horticulture. Students may elect courses such as: greenhouse management, plant propagation, landscape drafting, landscape construction, commercial floral design and arboriculture. The laboratory hours provide students with valuable “hands-on” experiences in our extensive greenhouses and ornamental teaching gardens.

Professional development opportunities are varied since the program offers students three horticulture electives. This allows students to choose their own areas of specialization within the program.

Typical Employment Opportunities

Floral Designer
Retail Florist
Flower Shop Manager
Sales Manager
Interior Landscape Designer
Commercial Grower
Interior Horticultural Service Technician
Wholesale Distributor
Garden Center Salesperson/Manager
Arboretum Technician
Nursery Salesperson/Manager
Wholesale Nursery Manager
Municipal & Urban Forestry Manager
Commercial or Utility Arborist
Landscape Garden Maintenance
Public Garden Employment

General Horticulture (AAS) Program Outcomes:

Graduates will receive a strong foundation in science and master skill sets utilizing traditional and cutting edge techniques.
Graduates will demonstrate diverse knowledge and skills required to perform professionally in today’s complex multi-disciplinary environment.
Graduates will exhibit the knowledge necessary to understand horticulture from an historical perspective, as well as current and future trends of industry.

Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Urban Horticulture and Design | Dr. Jonathan Lehrer | horticulture@farmingdale.edu | 934-420-2711

Fall 2026

Subject to revision

College Requirement	(1 credit)
FYE 101 First Year Experience*	1

Liberal Arts and Sciences	(22-24 credits)
EGL 101 Composition I: College Writing	3
EGL 102 Composition II: Writing About Literature	3
Oral Communication	3
Bl0 192 Botany	4
Bl0 198 Entomology OR
BIO 290 Entomology II	3-4
Natural Science/Mathematics	3-4
Students are required to take 3 credits in one of the following General Education competency areas: Humanities, World Languages, Social Science, World History and Global Awareness, US History & Civic Engagement.	3
Support Courses	(3 credits)
BUS Business Elective OR BCS 102 Computer Concepts and Applications	3

Required: Horticulture	(37 credits)
HOR 110 Horticulture I	3
HOR 111 Horticulture II Growth and Development of Cultivated Plants	3
HOR 112 Soils: The Foundation of Life	3
HOR 127 Horticulture Seminar	1
HOR 200 Herbaceous Plants I	3
HOR 204 Herbaceous Plants II	3
HOR 211 Woody Plants I	3
HOR 212 Woody Plants II	3
HOR 218 Indoor Plants	3
HOR 238 Turfgrass Culture	3
HOR Horticulture Electives (in non-required HOR)	9
Total Credits:	62-65

Curriculum Summary

*FYE 101 First Year Experience is required for all first time full time students

Degree Type: AAS
Total Required Credits: 62-65

Please refer to the General Education, Applied Learning, and Writing Intensive requirement sections of the College Catalog and consult with your advisor to ensure that graduation requirements are satisfied. As a part of the SUNY General Education Framework, all first-time full time Freshman at Farmingdale State College (FSC) beginning Fall 2023, are required to develop knowledge and skills in Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ). Students will be able to fulfill this requirement at FSC by taking a specially designated DEISJ course that has been developed by faculty and approved by the DEISJ Review Board. DEISJ-approved courses may meet other General Education Knowledge and Skills areas and/or core competencies and thus be dually designated. DEISJ-approved courses may also earn other special designations such as those for Applied Learning or Writing Intensive.