Horticultural Therapists

High School

You can begin to prepare for this career while you are still in high school. Science classes are important to take, including biology, chemistry, and earth science, which should all give you a basic understanding of growth processes. If your school offers agriculture classes, particularly those dealing with plants, be sure to take these as well. To learn about different groups of people and how to relate to them, take sociology and psychology classes. English classes will help you develop your communication skills, which are vital in this profession. Other important classes that will prepare you for college and work include mathematics, economics, and computer science.

Postsecondary Training

Horticultural therapy has only fairly recently been recognized as a profession in this country (the first graduate degree in the field was given in 1955), and routes to enter this field have not yet become firmly established. To become registered by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), however, you will need at least some related educational experience. Those in the field recommend that anyone wanting to work as a horticultural therapist should have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree. Only a few colleges offer degrees in horticultural therapy with a concentration in horticultural therapy. AHTA provides a listing of schools offering these programs on its Web site, https://www.ahta.org/university-programs. Course work generally includes studies in botany, plant pathology, soil science, psychology, group dynamics, counseling, communications, business management, and economics, to name a few areas. In addition, an internship involving direct work with clients is usually required.

Certification

Some schools and horticulture organizations offer certificates in horticultural therapy. Certificate programs that are accredited by the AHTA include Delaware Valley University, University of Florida, Horticultural Therapy Institute, Oregon State University, Rutgers University, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Temple University. Visit https://www.ahta.org/accredited-certificate-programs for more information.

Other Education or Training

The American Horticultural Therapy Association provides continuing education workshops at its annual conference. Contact the association for more information.