Frequently Asked Questions
Horticultural Therapy
- What is Horticultural Therapy?
- What courses must I complete to earn the Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Therapy?
- How are the courses delivered?
- What technology is required?
- How do I get started?
- What are the costs?
- Will these courses transfer to a graduate degree program?
- What if I only want to take 9 credits of horticultural therapy credits needed for professional registration by the American Horticultural Therapy Association?
What is Horticultural Therapy?
Horticultural therapy is a method in which a trained Horticultural Therapist uses live plants and the growing environment to heal and rehabilitate people. There are four essential elements in the practice of horticultural therapy: 1) a defined treatment procedure that focuses on horticultural or gardening activities; 2) a client with a diagnosed problem who is in treatment for that problem; 3) a treatment goal that can be measured and evaluated, and; 4) a trained professional to deliver the treatment. Treatment goals in horticultural therapy programs typically target social, psychological, physical, and cognitive health outcomes. Horticultural therapy practitioners often time work as private consultants that work with a variety of client groups and settings while others are directly hired by one institution. Horticultural therapy programs are found in vocational training centers, rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, botanic gardens, veteran's facilities, hospice, alcohol treatment centers and cancer treatment centers.
Horticultural therapy is considered a complimentary therapy along with physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral specialists, vocational skills instructors, and others. Thus horticultural therapy practitioners must be experts on the medical and psychological benefits of gardening and facilitating improvement of the patients' physical, social, and mental well-being.
What courses must I complete to earn the Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Therapy?
The Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Therapy consists of five required courses: HORT 750 Orientation to Horticultural Therapy; HORT 751 Human Issues in Horticultural Therapy; HORT 752 Horticulture in Horticultural Therapy; HORT 753 Clinical Skills in Horticultural Therapy; and HORT 755 Practicum in Horticultural Therapy. Go to program outline for more information on the course work.
How are the courses delivered?
All coursework is offered at a distance via the Internet. Classes are delivered within a semester time frame and are somewhat flexible in schedule. Students work independently; yet share comments and questions via K-State Online, the course management system at K-State. One course, HORT 753, includes two 5-day on-site experiences.
What technology is required?
You will need a computer that can connect to the World Wide Web with specific browser requirements. K-State has an extensive Information Technology website. We ask that you follow the links below to see what K-State recommends for students coming to campus. These same recommendations will apply to you, as you will be using the K-State Online course delivery system.
How do I get started?
The first courses to be taken are HORT 750 and HORT 751 which are offered both fall and spring semesters. There are two options for taking classes through the Division of Continuing Education at Kansas State University: 1) apply for admittance to the Graduate Certificate Program by going to application information or 2) apply for admittance as a Graduate nondegree-seeking student. Go to the Division of Continuing Education policies page for more information.
What are the costs?
Tuition and fees are $463 per credit hour. Payment of course fees is required at the time of enrollment. There is a materials fee for additional costs associated with the on-site clinical training component of HORT 753 such as transportation, food, and program supplies.
It is your responsibility to withdraw from classes at any time after enrollment if you do not plan to complete the course. Classes are NOT administratively dropped if tuition/fees are unpaid.
Will these courses transfer to a graduate degree program?
All of the coursework counts as graduate credit so may be accepted in a graduate degree program depending on the requirements of the degree program.
What if I only want to take 9 credits of horticultural therapy credits needed for professional registration by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA)?
AHTA requires a Bachelor's Degree in Horticultural Therapy or a Bachelor's Degree in another field and coursework in three topic areas: 1) 12 semester hours in the human science field; 2) 12 semester hours of horticulture coursework; and 3) 9 semester hours of horticultural therapy coursework for their professional registration program.
The Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Therapy exceeds the requirements for AHTA professional registration. It is also possible to enroll in up to 9 credits of graduate coursework prior to applying to the Certificate Program. Please contact Dr. Candice Shoemaker at 785-532-1431 for more information on this opportunity.
