Horticultural Therapy Internships

An internship is an effective way for horticultural therapy students to gain experience in the field. Through the internship, students learn how to apply the concepts and theories of horticultural therapy as a treatment modality for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Internships offer an opportunity for the intern to serve in the role of clinician, educator, and technician while gaining experience in the therapeutic and horticultural aspects of professional practice. Internships take place in a variety of settings such as hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, vocational centers, botanical gardens, and residential facilities.

A 480-hour internship in horticultural therapy is required for AHTA Professional Registration. During this internship, interns are supervised by a registered horticultural therapist (HTR or HTM level) who work closely with the intern to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide effective horticultural therapy services. A registry of supervisors began in 2020. Supervisors may have been supervising prior to 2020 adding years of experience in supervision.

A current list of internship sites is available through the AHTA Member Center. Intern supervisors can be located by searching the member directory. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the horticultural therapy program and establish the internship. The AHTA Horticultural Therapy Internship Handbook offers a full explanation of the current internship requirements, policy and procedures.

Internship Extension due to Covid 19 Pandemic
In April 2020, interns who started an internship during the pandemic or their internship was interrupted because of the pandemic, were granted an additional year to complete their internship, through end of April 2023.  At this time, AHTA is extending this through December 2023. Beginning January 2023, AHTA will reinstate the 2-year time frame for interns to complete their internship.  If this presents a hardship, please contact the AHTA Office.

Horticultural Therapy Internship Handbook

For more information, please see the Internship FAQ page or contact the AHTA Office for further information.

The AHTA has developed Guidelines for Telehealth Horticultural Therapy Internships. These Guidelines developed for intern supervisors offer suggestions to provide virtual horticultural therapy sessions. Under these guidelines, virtual horticultural therapy sessions may be counted as direct client hours. The AHTA is depending on supervisors to discuss telehealth with their interns, cover aspects of confidentiality specific to telehealth, and to ensure the safety of the individuals served through telehealth. Internship supervisors should contact the AHTA office for a copy of the guidelines, [email protected].


Note:  All horticultural therapy intern supervisors must be registered for a minimum of one (1) year and be approved by the AHTA as an internship supervisor. Prospective supervisors can contact AHTA or use the link below to submit an application.

Intern Supervisor Application

Horticultural Therapy Internship Resources

Do you know of a facility that might wish to host an internship? Please share that facility’s information with us.