About
The Prairie Horticulture Certificate (PHC) is an online program designed specifically for the Prairies. It is collaboratively offered through a consortium of three western Canadian educational institutions: Assiniboine Community College (Manitoba), Olds College (Alberta) and the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan).
- 1-5 year certificate
- 9-12 courses/360 credit hours for completion
- Online program
- Full- or part-time flexible program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
What you will learn
Horticulture is the study of the biology, production and utilization of fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinals, ornamental crops, trees, shrubs and turf grass grown under field and greenhouse conditions. It is the most diverse of the agricultural industries, involving both art and science.
Careers
PHC provides all the essential tools to work in the horticulture industry or start your own business. Horticulturists are experts in growing, diagnosing, installing and selling plants and materials. They also do landscape and design, operate greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers.
The Prairie Horticulture Certificate also provides opportunities to upgrade and advance your career as a
- K-12 teacher: PHC is recognized by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education for the Additional Qualification Certificate (AQC) under the technical or vocational program category,
- Civic employee: PHC is a City of Saskatoon approved training program for employee career advancement, and
- Landscape Horticulturist Apprentice: PHC is approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) for the technical training portion in the Landscape Horticulturist trade.
Choose from one of five streams of study:
Required Courses:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 13 | Applied Botany foundational course; start with this one |
| SLSC 14 | Soils for Horticulture foundational course; take after Applied Botany |
| HORT 38 | Postharvest Handling of Food Crops |
and at least three of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 14 | Integrated Plant Management |
| HORT 15 | Safework/Pesticide Application |
| HORT 41 | Basics of Horticulture Marketing |
| HORT 42 | Basics of Horticulture Business Management |
and at least two of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 21 | Vegetable Production |
| HORT 23 | Fruit Production |
| HORT 28 | Propagation |
PLUS any open elective courses necessary to meet the minimum requirements. Open Elective courses include:
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- Floral Design
- Human Resource Management
- or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Required Courses:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 13 | Applied Botany foundational course; start with this one |
| SLSC 14 | Soils for Horticulture foundational course; take after Applied Botany |
| HORT 27 | Woody Landscape Plants |
| HORT 30 | Arboriculture |
and at least three of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 14 | Integrated Plant Management |
| HORT 15 | Safework/Pesticide Application |
| HORT 41 | Basics of Horticulture Marketing |
| HORT 42 | Basics of Horticulture Business Management |
and at least two of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 36 | Landscape Design |
| HORT 36 | Landscape Construction |
| HORT 34 | Indoor Landscaping |
| HORT 31 | Turfgrass Production and Management |
| HORT 33 | Herbaceous Landscape Plants |
PLUS any open elective courses necessary to meet the minimum requirements. Open Elective courses include:
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- Floral Design
- Human Resource Management
- or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Required Courses:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 13 | Applied Botany foundational course; start with this one |
| SLSC 14 | Soils for Horticulture foundational course; take after Applied Botany |
| HORT 25 | Greenhouse Crop Production |
| HORT 35 | Greenhouse Structures and Environments |
and at least three of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 14 | Integrated Plant Management |
| HORT 15 | Safework/Pesticide Application |
| HORT 41 | Basics of Horticulture Marketing |
| HORT 42 | Basics of Horticulture Business Management |
and at least one of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 34 | Indoor Landscaping |
| HORT 28 | Propagation |
PLUS any open elective courses necessary to meet the minimum requirements. Open Elective courses include:
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- Floral Design
- Human Resource Management
- or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Required Courses:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 13 | Applied Botany foundational course; start with this one |
| SLSC 14 | Soils for Horticulture foundational course; take after Applied Botany |
| HORT 26 | Nursery Crop Production |
| HORT 28 | Propagation |
and at least three of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 14 | Integrated Plant Management |
| HORT 15 | Safework/Pesticide Application |
| HORT 41 | Basics of Horticulture Marketing |
| HORT 42 | Basics of Horticulture Business Management |
and at least one of:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 27 | Woody Landscape Plants |
| HORT 36 | Landscape Design |
| HORT 37 | Landscape Construction |
PLUS any open elective courses necessary to meet the minimum requirements. Open Elective courses include:
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- Floral Design
- Human Resource Management
- or any other course not used to fulfill a stream requirement
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Complete your Landscape Horticulturist apprenticeship in Saskatchewan.
PHC courses are approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) as technical training credits.
The following courses must be taken in the order shown to qualify for year cards.
Required Courses
Level 1
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 13 | Applied Botany foundational course; start with this one |
| SLSC 14 | Soils for Horticulture foundational course; take after Applied Botany |
|
Safety Training SCSA Safety Construction Orientation Training |
Level 2
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 14 | Integrated Plant Management |
| HORT 27 | Woody Landscape Plants |
| HORT 37 | Landscape Construction |
Level 3
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 30 | Arboriculture |
| HORT 31 | Turfgrass Production |
| HORT 15 | Safe Work/Pesticide Application |
Level 4
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| HORT 34 | Indoor Landscaping |
| HORT 42 | Basics of Horticulture Business Management |
| HORT 36 | Landscape Design |
As an apprentice, you will work and learn on the job. Once you have successfully completed the prescribed technical training courses and fulfilled the requirements of time in the trade, you can apply to write the Red Seal Journey person examination.
To apply for Landscape Horticulturalist Apprenticeship Training:
- See the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) website for entrance requirements and program information.
- Read the Guide to Course Content Online Option
- Register as an apprentice through SATCC. Be sure to include all required employer forms, transcripts and fees.
- Apply to USask's PHC program. In the application, select the landscaping and arboriculture stream then select the apprenticeship training option. A $90 application fee is required.
- Basic common computer literacy skills are a must as all courses are offered exclusively online. Students are required to have a personal computer equipped with internet access. Courses cannot be completed on a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet. Computer skills must include word processing, email and file sharing/collaboration tools, internet and database navigation.
Tuition estimates
| Estimated | |
| Tuition | $586/$773 per 3/6 credit unit course |
| Textbooks and materials | $475 approximate for all 9 courses |
| Student fees | $129 per year |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects the range you could expect to pay per class (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates). Student fees are used to fund specific student services and union. The cost of books and supplies vary widely depending on the courses you choose.
Admission requirements
Requirements
- 17 years of age and older
- Grade 12 or equivalent
If you do not meet the above requirements, under the right circumstances, you may be eligible to be offered probationary special admission.
Applicants for probationary special admission must:
- be 21 years of age by the first day of classes
- be entering their first year of post-secondary study
- submit any applicable transcripts as well as a resumé with their application
Students admitted on a probationary basis are permitted to register in only one course per term. Probationary students who successfully pass two courses with minimum grades of 60.0% will have probationary restrictions lifted. Probationary students who do not meet probationary requirements will be required to discontinue.
Application deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline |
| PHC Term 1 September to November |
August 20 |
| PHC Term 2 January to March |
December 10 |
| PHC Term 3 March to May |
February 25 |
Ready to apply?
- Complete the application for admission form.
- Transcripts must be sent from the issuing institution directly to the Admissions and Recruitment office.
- Provide a high quality copy of both the front and the back of your Permanent Resident Card, if applicable.
- All coursework, assignments, and exams are completed online. Students are required to have a personal computer equipped with internet access. Courses cannot be completed on a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet. Basic common computer literacy skills are a must. These skills should include word processing, email and file sharing/collaboration tools, internet and database navigation.
Create an admissions account and start your application today. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD. Effective December 2, the application fee is increasing to $120 CAD.
College info
The Prairie Horticulture Certificate is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources through a partnership with Assiniboine Community College (Brandon, Manitoba) and Olds College (Olds, Alberta).
Questions?
For more information, contact:
Phone: 306-966-6488
Email: certificates.admin@usask.ca