Horticulture - BS

S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

About This Degree

The Horticulture major is designed for students in USU’s regional campus system along the Wasatch Front. It is targeted to the field of ornamental horticulture and will prepare students for careers in arboriculture, nursery production, landscape management, greenhouse crop production, and related green industries.

What You Will Learn

The curriculum is focused on the application of horticultural principles, including weed, insect, and disease control; soils; crop production; plant biology; and others. The degree is distinct from the Plant Science BS offered on the Logan campus by having less emphasis on the science of crop production.

Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Success rates for students in the green industry after graduation are high. Examples of career opportunities include:

  • Orchard, greenhouse, or nursery management
  • Golf course or parks superintendent
  • Private businesses in irrigation equipment sales
  • Garden center, seed, and chemical sales
  • Agricultural production
  • Owning or managing farm-related businesses
  • Agricultural product sales
  • Working for nurseries and greenhouses
  • Owning private landscaping businesses
  • Designing gardens, lawns, and other small landscapes
  • Designing and landscaping for private residences and businesses

The Utah Department of Workforce Services describes these positions as having a good employment outlook and relatively high wages. The department also describes the field as having faster than average employment growth with a high volume of annual job openings. With the expected population growth in the state, increased demands on horticulture crop production and urban landscapes will require expertise in this field obtained in the BS in Horticulture.

Students can receive industry certification and prepare for license tests while pursuing the Horticulture degree including the State of Utah Pesticide Applicators License, the Certified Nursery Professional through the Utah Nursery & Landscape Association, or Certified Arborist.  As an example, all students who successfully complete PSC 2200 Pest Management Principles and Practices are also certified by the state as pesticide applicators.

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

We will build on your goals and experiences while working together to design an individualized semester-by-semester plan. Your personalized plan will help you see a path from where you are now on to graduation. Even if you are unsure of the major you would like to pursue, we can help with resources and ideas.

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USU Locations

*This degree is available at various USU locations.

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