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).


Quick facts
  • 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:

  1. See the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) website for entrance requirements and program information.
  2. Read the Guide to Course Content Online Option
  3. Register as an apprentice through SATCC. Be sure to include all required employer forms, transcripts and fees.
  4. 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. 
  5. 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 $562.64 - $742.56 per 3 credit unit course
Textbooks and materials $475 approximate for all 9 courses
Student fees $125.64 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 (2023-2024 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, you may be eligible for probationary special admission.

Applicants for probationary special admission must 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 an average mark of 60.0% or better will be deemed to have met the regular admission requirements. Probationary students who do not meet regular admission 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?

  1. Complete the application for admission form.
  2. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing institution directly to the Admissions and Recruitment office.
  3. Provide a high quality copy of both the front and the back of your Permanent Resident Card, if applicable.
  4. 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.

A non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD is required before your application will be processed.

College info

Our tour video guides prospective students through the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and some memorable spots on the beautiful University of Saskatchewan campus!

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). 

Explore related programs

If you are looking for degree programs, visit the College of Agricultre and Bioresources page. If you are looking for graduate level (Master or Ph.D.) programs please consult our graduate students' website.

Questions?

For more information, contact:

Phone: 306-966-6488
Email: certificates.admin@usask.ca