College of DuPage launches new horticulture therapy certificates
Students in the College of DuPage Horticulture program now have pathways to credentials in horticultural therapy. COD is one of nine colleges in the U.S. — and the only one in the Midwest — to offer certificates in this discipline.
COD’s Horticultural Therapy and Advanced Horticultural Therapy certificates launch in fall 2025. Students in the Horticultural Therapy certificate program will learn horticulture therapy techniques and how to develop programs for horticulture therapy, while students in the Advanced Horticulture Therapy certificate program will deepen their expertise and professional reach within the field.
“Horticultural therapy is the practice of using gardening and plant exposure for rehabilitative and healing purposes that serves a wide range of populations,” said Adjunct Horticulture Professor Kelly Warnick. “As a therapeutic tool in health care settings, it’s tantamount to occupational therapy or recreational therapy. As a registered horticultural therapist, I have seen many patient breakthroughs in garden settings.”
Coursework for the Horticultural Therapy certificate includes an in-depth study of stakeholders, theoretical foundations, adaptation methods and assessment strategies for programs.
Students will also develop familiarity with therapeutic garden design for indoor and outdoor environments.
Completion of this certificate includes 12 hours of horticultural therapy coursework, which is required for professional registration with the American Horticultural Therapy Association.
Students looking to further their studies in horticultural therapy and work toward the Horticultural Therapist-Registered credential can go on to complete the Advanced Horticultural Therapy Certificate, which offers in-depth exploration of the many disciplines in which registered horticultural therapists must require proficiency.
The program includes an internship component with hands-on learning and professional skill development in supervised horticultural therapy settings, preparing graduates to contribute, lead and innovate in the growing field of horticultural therapy.
College of DuPage’s Horticulture program provides fundamental and advanced education to prepare students for successful entry into the workforce.
Students develop knowledge and skills in a range of topics including horticulture and horticulture business, horticultural mathematics, horticultural therapy, cannabis/Hemp production, landscaping and landscaping design, floral design, plant propagation, plant taxonomy, soils and fertilizers and sustainable urban agriculture.
Learn more at cod.edu/horticulture.