The Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers a robust learning experience in this hybrid accelerated program. Students will learn about the horticultural therapy profession, types of programs, techniques and skills, and program development. An in-depth study of the populations served by horticultural therapy, the theoretical foundations of horticultural therapy, adaptation methods, and program assessment are an integral part of this program. Students will also learn how to design accessible outdoor and indoor spaces as well as well as how to build and manage a successful horticultural therapy program. Students must receive a passing grade of C or above in all three courses for successful completion of University of Tennessee’s Horticultural Therapy Certificate program. Students completing this certificate program will have the required three courses for a total of nine hours of horticultural therapy courses for professional registration with the AHTA. Additional coursework and a supervised internship is needed to be professionally registered as a Horticultural Therapist - Registered (HTR) from AHTA. For more information on AHTA's professional registration process visit https://www.ahta.org/professional-registration.
Program Goals
The goal of University of Tennessee’s Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program is to educate and train the next generation of horticultural therapy professionals. Through this certificate program, students will learn the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be a successful horticultural therapist and explore ways to grow the profession of horticultural therapy.
Program Objectives
By the end of the certificate program students will be able to:
• Define horticultural therapy and discuss how horticultural therapy is a profession.
• Discuss how horticultural therapy relates to other allied health care professions.
• Explain how evidence-based practice contributes to the profession of horticultural therapy and learn how to use evidence-based practices to enhance your skills as a practitioner.
• Identify areas for improvement needed in the profession of horticultural therapy.
• Identify how to assess clients for horticultural therapy interventions.
• Work with treatment teams to develop horticultural therapy program goals and objectives to meet the assessed needs of clients.
• Plan and implement horticultural therapy sessions for a variety of populations and medical conditions.
• Describe the process of professional registration and understand the importance of participating in professional healthcare associations.
• Document client progress in horticultural therapy programs.
• Discuss the importance of research and demonstrate skills to conduct research related to measuring the impact of horticultural therapy programs.
• Complete coursework requirements for nine hours of horticultural therapy coursework.
Certificate Program Format
The University of Tennessee Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program will be delivered in a hybrid format. Our goal is to provide horticultural therapy education to working adults with a flexible schedule using an online instruction format. The certificate program can be completed in 21 weeks. Most of the work will be completed online using interactive and engaging online instructional methods. A one-week residential period hosted at the University of Tennessee Gardens campus in Knoxville, TN will be conducted to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
The residential period session will be conducted as part of the Horticultural Therapy Program Management Course and will provide students with opportunities to experience working with horticultural therapy programs for a variety of clients. Students will also get to visit the University of Tennessee Gardens and other facilities currently providing horticultural therapy/therapeutic horticulture programs in the Knoxville community. A graduation dinner will be held and students will be awarded their Horticultural Therapy Certificates at the end of the week.
Certificate Program Accreditation
This certificate program is accredited through the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). For more information about AHTA and professional registration visit www.ahta.org.
Courses offered:
PLSC 411 - Introduction to Horticultural Therapy
Course Description: This course provides an introduction of the horticultural therapy profession. Students will develop a basic understanding of the history of the horticultural therapy profession. This course includes additional topics such as populations served and the different environments in which horticultural therapy can take place. This online course will consist of a of three weekly class sessions totaling five hours per week. Class sessions will be a combination of live interactive sessions, recorded instruction and monitored discussion with feedback. The course will be completed in seven weeks.
PLSC 412 - Horticultural Therapy Programming & Techniques
Course Description: This course provides an in-depth review of horticultural therapy programming and techniques. Students will be able to describe the program planning process and different techniques that can be utilized when implementing programs for a variety of audiences. This online course will consist of a of three weekly class sessions totaling five hours per week. Class sessions will be a combination of live interactive sessions, recorded instruction and monitored discussion with feedback. The course will be completed in seven weeks.
PLSC 413 - Horticultural Therapy Program Management
Course Description: This course provides an in-depth review of program management. Students will understand the importance of budgeting, marketing and other key components to running successful horticultural therapy programs. Students will also explore risk management and develop a risk management plan for horticultural therapy programs. This hybrid course will consist of seven weeks. The online section of this course will take part over six weeks with two weekly sessions totaling three hours per week. A five-day residential period, totaling a minimum of 32 hours of class time, will be held on week seven at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. *The five-day residential period may need to be modified based on travel restrictions due to world pandemics or other travel restrictions.*
Admission requirements: To register for the Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program, students must complete a Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program application. To apply for admission contact Dr. Stowell at dstowell@utk.edu.
Next Steps:
1. If you are interested in taking the Horticultural Therapy Certificate at the University of Tennessee, contact Dr. Derrick Stowell at dstowell@utk.edu.
2. An application for the Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program will be available pending SACSCOC approval. This application will be completed and returned to Dr. Stowell.
Registration for University of Tennessee/UT Gardens Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program will be available pending SACSCOC approval.
Email Derrick Stowell at dstowell@utk.edu for additional information and to be added to the contact list to be notified when registration is open.
For information about UT Gardens Horticultural Therapy Program click here.