image

Horticulture Sciences

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Jobs available locally

10,447

Demand Locally

+2 %

Annual Wage Range

$50,894 – $213,199

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Jobs available locally

434

Demand Locally

+1 %

Annual Wage Range

$62,420 – $174,657

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Jobs available locally

10,447

Demand Locally

+2 %

Annual Wage Range

$50,894 – $213,199

Program Level:

Degrees, Certificates

Department:

Agricultural Sciences

Institute:

Science & Technology

College:

PAC

What is the horticulture sciences program?

At Palo Alto College, the horticulture sciences program includes various areas such as plant cultivation, garden center management, floral design, and more. Horticulture sciences is a growing industry, with local job growth projected at 30% over the next five years. In Texas, horticulture sciences is the second-largest industry and offers various career opportunities. Consumers spend over $38 billion yearly on professional landscaping and lawn and tree care services.

  • There will be 173,200 + new job openings for landscapers in 2023 (US Bureau of Labor)
  • 67% of adults are currently growing edible plants or planning to (Forbes 2/3/2022)

Palo Alto College is the only community college to offer a horticulture sciences program in the San Antonio area and one of a handful of colleges and universities in South Texas. 

This program is fully accredited by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Our Classroom is Your Backyard

Today’s industry requires people like you. With shrinking college horticulture programs and a decline in qualified applicants for industry job opportunities, only 61% of the annual job openings in the U.S. are likely to be filled. Our curriculum allows you to plan your future based on your interests and career goals. The combination of our curriculum, faculty expertise and instruction, and industry partnerships prepares you for a bright and fruitful career.

Horticulture Sciences Program Highlights

  • Emphasis is placed on the commercial application of skills learned in the program
  • Employment for graduating students of this program may be available in landscaping businesses (independent and corporate), residential complexes (apartment and residential organizations), parks and recreational facilities.

Horticulture Sciences Career Areas & Employment Positions

  • Tree Care - Tree Care Crew Leader, Certified Arborist
  • Irrigation System Installation and Maintenance - Licensed Irrigator and Irrigation Installer
  • Interiorscape Maintenance and Management in Wholesale and Retail Nurseries - Retail Nursery Merchandiser
  • Recreational Facilities - Groundskeeper, Irrigation Technician, Landscape and Lawn Maintenance Foreman

Icon graphic

No experience necessary

Learn for your career or as a hobby. 

IIcon graphic

Learn at your own pace

Complete the program at your own pace

Icon graphic

Get on the path of high-demand jobs

Connect with our industry partners.
Landscape Industry Partners

A core part of the horticulture-based programs at Palo Alto College is the Horticultural Sciences major. Horticultural Sciences is a carefully crafted degree program designed to provide students with the skills and experiences they need to be successful in their own companies or to add value to teams as part of existing businesses. We value all of our industry partners.

Industry Partners

VOLT® Lighting has donated a number of LED lighting fixtures to the Life Science Greenhouse hydroponic learning lab for student project use and yield trials. VOLT® is a lighting company marketing landscape lighting.
The equipment VOLT® donated will help students to gain hands-on industry-relevant experience, and better prepare them for careers in this exciting field.

Contact Information

Dr. Jeffrey Koch

Director

210-486-3935

Yessica Labay

Faculty Program Lead

210-486-3073

San Jacinto (SANJAC 200)

Richard De La Garza

Coordinator

210-486-3411

Sabine Hall (SABINE 106)