MPC_CAP_Applied-Technology-Web-Image-Horticulture
Career & Academic Pathways >> Applied Technology
Contact Information
John Kern (Department Chair)
(831) 646-4125
jkern@mpc.edu

For Additional Info
• Download our Info Sheet
• Visit MPC Horticulture 
• Connect with a Counselor 

Program Overview

MPC provides a well-rounded education in plant science: basics of botany, soil science, plant identification, plant propagation, and garden design. Coursework in irrigation, pest management, and/or arboriculture specialties prepares students for industry-recognized certification and enhances their value to local employers. Students gain experience and earn credit with on-the-job learning through the Cooperative Work Experience program.

Job Outlook

Certificates of Achievement are aligned with industry-recognized certifications and can be earned with as few as three courses, which students can build upon with further coursework to earn a certificate or AS degree in horticulture. Horticulture-related job opportunities include landscape installation, landscape maintenance, irrigation specialists, arborists, nursery workers, and others. Program graduates who undertake study at four-year universities can pursue careers in landscape architecture, botany, environmental science, and many others. 

Potential Careers

Pest Management Technicians

$27,760 - $101,650

Landscape Contractors

$30,420 - $65,050

Tree Trimmers & Pruners

$32,010 - $68,570

*Agricultural Inspectors
(may require additional training)

$30,760 – $78,370

*Landscape Architects
(may require additional training)

$50,900 - $136,140

MPC Degrees and Certificates

  • Horticulture: Associate of Science (AS) 
  • Horticulture: Certificate of Achievement (COA)  
  • Tree Care Specialist: Certificate of Achievement (COA) 
  • Landscape Irrigation: Certificate of Achievement (COA)  
  • Landscape Pest Management: Certificate of Achievement (COA) 

Suggested Course Sequence (AS)

Year 1   

FALL
 UNITS
 SPRING UNITS
ENGL 1A
 3 MATH 16
 4

MPC Elective

 2 HORT 52
 3

   ENGL 101A rec.

HORT 62

 3

LIBR 50

 1

HORT 65

 3

HORT 51

 3

Elective

 3

HORT 61

 3

   Additional HORT courses rec.
HORT 55 and 202, 70, or 78 3-3.5    
   
 
Total Fall Units

15-15.5

 Total Spring Units

16

Year 2

FALL
 UNITS
 SPRING UNITS

Area B & Lab

 4

Area D

 3

Area C

 5

   POLS 1, 10, 16, or 18 rec.

   SPAN 1 or 1S rec.

Area F

 3

Elective

 3

   HIST 12, 24, or 25 rec.

   Additional HORT courses rec.

Elective

 3

MPC Elective

 3

   Additional HORT courses rec.

  
   ENGL 2 rec.   MPC Elective 3
       SPCH 1, 2, or 3 rec.  
    MPC Electives 3 
Total Fall Units
 15 Total Spring Units
 15

This is a suggested sequence of coursework and is one pathway for students to earn their degree/certificate. This is not an official educational plan. A counselor is able to assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. For more information about counseling and up-to-date program requirements, please visit www.mpc.edu/counseling. 

Testimonials 

Chris Stearns 

The program at MPC gave me the foundations and social networking connections to branch out and start learning about the amazing people in our community. Through Margot Grych's classes, I met master gardeners, school horticulture professionals, people that work growing cannabis, and many other home gardeners. In John Kern's class, I met owners of Irrigation supply stores, I made contacts at a trade show that I have grown business from, and I learned how to completely pipe an irrigation system myself. From Peter Quintanilla I learned how to plant and take care of trees, I learned who my local arborists are, and what to look for in making connections with certified arborists. Though these are not the usual student touchstones of education, as a man at my place in the career cycle, this goes above and beyond the usefulness in establishing myself in the trade.