Thank you for visiting the AHTA website to learn about educational opportunities in Horticultural Therapy (HT). There are several avenues for you to consider, including:
- Bachelor's degree in horticultural therapy
- Associate's degree in horticultural therapy
- Certificate in horticultural therapy
- Individual coursework in horticultural therapy
Universities, Colleges and Organizations Offering Education and Training in Horticultural Therapy
Your first stop should be the institutions and organizations page. We strive to maintain a comprehensive and current list of HT educational opportunities, including universities and colleges offering degrees in HT, AHTA-accredited HT certificate programs, and institutions offering one or more classes in HT. Some of the institutions that offer internships in HT are listed on the internship page.
Contact the organizations that are near you or that offer the type of coursework that interests you. They can give you complete details on their HT courses, registration requirements, and cost.
If distance is an issue, Kansas State University, in Manhattan,
Kansas, offers limited distance learning in HT. Also, contact
the organizations offering HT certificates.
AHTA-Accredited Certificate Programs
Be sure to check out the AHTA-accredited certificate programs.
You might be surprised to find that some of these programs are
developed with the long-distance student in mind (i.e., scheduling
classes over extended weekends to accommodate students who travel
in for courses). Obtaining a certificate from an AHTA-accredited
program means that you will earn a pre-established point value
that applies toward voluntary Professional Registration.
AHTA offers this exclusive opportunity for you to obtain voluntary
credentials as a horticultural therapist. Go to the Professional
Registration page
and learn about the requirements for registration as:
- HTR - Horticultural Therapist Registered
Please note that, as of June, 2006, AHTA will no longer be accrediting educational programs (including certificate programs and workshops) that take place outside the U.S. The Board of Directors made this decision based on the difficulty in assessing international applications, due to differences in cultures and educational systems.
AHTA Chapters
Check out the chapters page to find an AHTA chapter near you. Your local chapter has a handle on local happenings, and many offer educational workshops with their membership meetings. Many AHTA chapters also conduct annual conferences. Joining a chapter of AHTA will connect you with the people actively involved in your community. For other ways to be involved contact your local botanical garden, nature center, greenhouses/nurseries and county extension office.
Research
Head out on your own. Visit the publications
page to peruse a variety of publications that will
help you learn on your own, including:
- Many books that offer hands-on
activities (Growing with Gardening, etc.)
- The Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture
(through Volume XVII, 2006)
- Horticulture as Therapy: Principles
and Practice - a widely used HT textbook
Pursuing education and training in
HT is not necessarily an easy undertaking, but persistence
will pay off. You will have to consider your background
and future goals to decide which route is best for you. Horticultural
therapy is a very entrepreneurial profession. Your effort
to gain education and experience in the field will help you
further down the road as you establish yourself as a Professional
Horticultural Therapist.
We encourage you to join both your local chapter and AHTA.
AHTA is the only national organization dedicated to advancing
HT as a profession and a therapeutic and rehabilitative medium.
AHTA is here to assist you in your journey. Best of luck!
If you have questions, please email us at: info@ahta.org
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