Certificate Program
On a new career path or thinking about a career change?
Think about upgrading your professional profile and actively pursing a prestigious NYBG Certificate. Develop new skills, contacts, and cross-disciplinary experience. Catch up with the latest industry changes. A NYBG Certificate is a serious credential that tells employers and clients that you’ve made a serious commitment to your professional development.
Want to jump on the fast track? Take advantage of an opportunity to really accelerate your progress in Floral Design, Botanical Art, Landscape Design, Horticultural Therapy, or Gardening by enrolling in one of our Summer Intensive Programs. You can complete up to half the requirements toward your Certificate in just a few weeks!
NYBG Certificate Programs Requirements
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The Botanical Art & Illustration requirements provide a solid foundation in scientifically accurate drawing based on observation and fine art techniques.
Certificate students must complete 221 total course hours (167 required + 54 elective). Students are also required to submit a portfolio showcasing class assignments and their own unique creations to Program Coordinator Robin Jess at bilcoordinator@nybg.org.
COURSES
Botanical Drawing I: Methods and Materials
Botanical Drawing II: Developing Your Skills
The Basics of Visual Composition
Botanical Drawing III: Focus on Flowers
Plant Morphology for Botanical Artists
Practical Aspects of Botanical Art
Plus one of the following:
Internet Tools for Creatives, Part I: Social Media
Internet Tools for Creatives, Part II: Website
Elective courses
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The NYBG Landscape Design Certificate Program prepares students for creative careers as landscape designers. Licensed by the New York State Department of Education, the Certificate Program is recognized as high quality and career oriented.
Certificate students must complete 349 total required course hours.
COURSES
TIER 1—INTRODUCTORY CLASSES
Landscape Plants: Fall Trees and Shrubs
Landscape Plants: Spring Trees and Shrubs
TIER 2
Landscape Design I: Site Analysis & Schematic Design
Landscape Design II: Design Development
TIER 3
Landscape Design III: Planting Design
Professional Practice for Landscape Designers
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The NYBG Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program helps students begin or complement their careers through an in-depth exploration of skills and innovative methods using plants and the growing environment to heal and rehabilitate people. Licensed by the New York State Department of Education, the Certificate Program is recognized as high quality and career oriented.
Certificate students must complete 189 total course hours (181 required + 8 site visit hours), plus a 100-hour internship.
COURSES
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy
Horticultural Therapy for Older Adults
Horticultural Therapy for Exceptional Youth
Horticultural Therapy for Physical Rehabilitation
Horticultural Therapy in Behavioral Health Settings
Horticultural Therapy Methods and Materials
Activities Analysis for Horticultural Therapy
Garden Design for Special Populations
Horticultural Therapy Program Management
Plant Propagation I: Basic Principles
Horticultural Therapy Site Visits
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The NYBG Floral Design Certificate Program helps you develop your own aesthetic and master the mechanics for everything from simple bouquets to grand-scale arrangements, while giving you a practical, real-world, business foundation.
Certificate students must complete 152 total course hours (120 required + 32 elective), plus an 80-hour internship. Students are also required to submit a portfolio showcasing photographs of class assignments and their own unique creations.
COURSES
Wedding Design II: Ceremony & Reception
Color Theory for Floral Design
Shopping the New York Flower Market
Practical Planning for Designers
Event Planning for the Floral Designer
Elective courses
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The NYBG Gardening Certificate Program covers sustainable gardening techniques, soil science, plant propagation, and garden care and design.
Certificate students must complete 187 total course hours (164 required + 23 elective).
COURSES
Insect Identification and Management
Disease Identification and Management
Complete Garden Care and Maintenance
Pruning Principles and Practices
Plant Propagation I: Basic Principles
Elective GAR or HRT courses
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During the NYBG Botany Certificate Program, students will come to know plants: how they function, grow, develop, and reproduce; and learn to identify a wide array of plants by stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits.
Certificate students must complete 169 total course hours (111 required + 58 elective).
COURSES
Dendrology: Woody Plant Identification
Herbaceous Plant Identification
One of the four Native Flora courses:
Elective courses
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The NYBG Horticulture Program blends classroom theory with field studies in the Garden’s historic landscape, teaching students how to form and care for healthy, sustainable landscapes. Licensed by the New York State Department of Education, the Certificate Program is recognized as high quality and career oriented.
This program offers a high standard of training in four areas of concentration:
TRACK 1: PLANT PRODUCTION
Gain the skills to propagate and produce an array of native and non-native plants for nurseries, garden centers, and landscape-restoration projects.
Certificate students must complete 160 total course hours.
COURSES
Soil Science I: Physical Properties
Soil Science II: Chemistry and Nutrition
Horticultural Techniques: Greenhouse Practices
Insect Pests of Landscape Plants
Plant Propagation I: Basic Principles
Plant Propagation II: Applications
Disease Identification & Management
Nursery and Greenhouse Management
TRACK 2: SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
Understand landscape maintenance and management practices using the concept “right plant—right place” in residential and commercial landscapes.
Certificate students must complete 201 total course hours.
COURSES
Soil Science I: Physical Properties
Soil Science II: Chemistry and Nutrition
Horticultural Techniques: Landscape Gardening
Pruning Principles and Practices
Basic Design and Installation of Irrigation Systems
Starting a Small Landscaping Business
Disease Identification & Management
Weed Identification & Management
Mathematics for Horticulturists
TRACK 3: ARBORICULTURE
Know how to grow, prune, care for, and manage trees in parks, residential sites, and urban environments.
Certificate students must complete 192 total course hours.
COURSES
Soil Science I: Physical Properties
Soil Science II: Chemistry and Nutrition
Chainsaws: Use, Safety, and Maintenance
Pruning Principles and Practices
Landscape Plants: Fall Trees and Shrubs
Landscape Plants: Spring Trees and Shrubs
Insect Pests of Landscape Plants
Disease Identification & Management
TRACK 4: SUSTAINABLE GARDEN DESIGN
Be able to design small-scale gardens for homes, communities, and private clients.
Certificate students must complete 209 total course hours.
COURSES
Soil Science I: Physical Properties
Landscape Plants: Broadleaved Evergreens
Landscape Plants: Spring Trees and Shrubs
Landscape Plants: Spring Perennials
Landscape Plants: Summer and Fall Perennials
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To become an official NYBG Urban Naturalist, you must complete each of these required classes: Foundations, Woodlands, and Waterways.
Within a month of completing your third class, you must submit an in-depth study of a “patch” (natural spot) of your choosing. Your study will include the geology and human history of your patch, a survey of the plants and animals found there, and a plan for how the site can be improved to benefit the landscape and community.
Certificate Graduation Ceremony
The 2018 ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 3. If you expect to complete your Certificate requirements or enroll in all remaining classes by May 25, you must inform the Manager of Student Services in writing or by completing the Application for Graduation form by February 23. You will be informed if you are eligible for a Certificate by April 20.
Call the Registration Office at 718.817.8747 with any questions.