Why study Horticulture?

The study of horticulture covers the growth, distribution and utilization of ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables. In courses offered by UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), students learn the relationship between horticulture and ecological processes and develop a forward-looking approach toward the environment. The horticulture curriculum has been choreographed to support the traditional foundation in plant science, landscape design, and landscape management, with a commitment to advance contemporary and sustainable approaches to all facets of horticulture. UC's bachelor of science in horticulture program is designed with the non-traditional student in mind. Classes are held evenings and weekends on UC's main campus as well as several off-campus locations.

Career Possibilities

Employment opportunities in the green industry include landscape management, commercial greenhouses, public and private parks management, and garden design, construction, and management.

Additional career options are listed on the Center for Exploratory Studies website.

Minoring in Horticulture

A minor in horticulture is available, as are five certificate programs. The minor and certificates are available to individuals who desire to upgrade skills, enhance the marketability of a current degree, or to prepare for a career change. A certificate is awarded for successful completion of set courses in horticulture and landscape design ranging from 21 to 27 credit hours.  All course work completed for the certificate applies toward the bachelor’s degree, should a student decide to pursue it. Students must meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Horticulture program in order to pursue a minor or certificate.

Interested students should submit the application form to the DAAP Student Affairs Office, Aronoff 5470.

Available minor and certificates:

• The certificate and minor in horticulture introduces students to the various fields associated with horticultural science, including plant identification, growth, health, and reproduction.
• The certificate in green roofs addresses contemporary issues in living architecture, particularly in the vegetated urban roof, which supports environmental, economic, and social components of sustainable urban design.
• The certificate in sustainable landscape design expands basic knowledge of building design and landscape design to include a sustainable, integrated approach to the design of the built environment.
• The certificate in urban agriculture responds to contemporary issues in horticulture, urban design, livability and quality of life, food security, and sustainability.
• The certificate in urban landscapes expands basic knowledge of building and landscape design to address the role of plant life in the sustainable urban environment.

Major Maps

• Guide: B.S. in Horticulture

Advising

Prospective students are encouraged to explore the information on our website and contact DAAP Student Affairs at 513-556-1376 or daap-admissions@uc.edu with questions.

The Transfer and Transition Advising Center is available to assist prospective transfer and transition students. Current DAAP students are assigned an academic advisor based on their major/program. For more information on DAAP advising, please visit the DAAP Undergraduate Advising webpage.

For more information, visit the Transfer and Transition Advising Center. 

Transfer students should apply using our transfer student online application. 

Transfer Articulation Agreements & Pathways 

UC has developed clear pathways (articulation agreements) between select associate degrees at partner institutions and compatible bachelor’s degrees at UC. Each pathway includes a Transfer Degree Map that offers a semester-by-semester course comparison to assist with your transfer planning. 

The following institutions have Transfer Degree Maps for this major: 

• Cincinnati State Community College 

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

• The city of Cincinnati, once called the "Queen City of the West" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, provides an excellent array of cultural resources for students who intend to pursue a degree in the visual arts. It offers the energy and assets of a larger city, along with quiet neighborhoods steeped in rich traditions. Cincinnati offers live music venues that range from top-notch symphony and opera companies to a growing pop and rock community. Home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Taft Museum and the Contemporary Arts Center, the city also enjoys the presence of numerous art galleries and a strong support system among practicing artists.
• UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) is one of the most comprehensive colleges of its type in the country. A collection of nationally respected design and art programs is housed in a unique and educationally stimulating architectural setting. Students have opportunities to enroll in courses in a range of related disciplines and to participate in interdisciplinary studios or special projects.
• Students learn creative and technical skills in the studio environment, taught by a passionate faculty who interact with their students on a daily basis. The goal is to guide students as they grow both intellectually and professionally.
• Other educational opportunities include study abroad and minor and certificate programs within the college and the university. Students are encouraged to share their interests in these opportunities with their academic advisor.
• The Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning has an outstanding collection of books, periodicals and visual resources supporting architecture, planning, design, art history and related subjects. Access to library holdings is provided by an automated online catalogue, UCLID, which provides access to the University of Cincinnati Library information database, and through OhioLINK, the holdings of other academic libraries throughout Ohio.
• DAAP’s multiple labs, centers and initiatives support our programs and the creative work and research of our faculty, staff, and students.

Special Programs

DAAP students learn creative and technical skills in the classroom, taught by a passionate faculty who interact with their students. The goal is to guide students as they grow both intellectually and professionally. This, along with a broad liberal arts background, prepares DAAP students for success in their fields.

Computer Requirements: All undergraduate students in this program are required to purchase a personal laptop computer. Each discipline has its own specific recommendations for hardware and software. Please note that these recommendations may be slightly altered as equipment evolves. Therefore, students new to DAAP are encouraged to delay their computer purchase until the summer prior to entering to make the most informed computer purchase. Many of our programs have additional technology requirements for students in the later years of study.

Admission Requirements

The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati seeks to attract, enroll, and graduate academically talented students of varied and diverse backgrounds. Success in our programs is largely dependent upon sound academic preparation. In multidisciplinary programs like those in DAAP, students’ insight and perspective are greatly enhanced by exposure to students from different backgrounds, geographies, and co-curricular interests. DAAP has an admissions review process to support these goals. Please note that it’s impossible to predict – or guarantee – what credentials a student will need to gain admission into DAAP, because the size and quality of the applicant pool varies each year.

Please visit the Admissions Office's website for more information, including application materials, requirements, deadlines, and timelines.

Transferring to UC Requirements

Students seeking to transfer from another regionally accredited university or college must be in good standing to be considered for admission. Students wishing to transfer into a DAAP program should submit a Transfer Application. Transfer students are generally admitted to the first year of our studio-based, co-op programs due to the sequence of studios and co-op.

For further information such as minimum grade point average and application deadlines, please refer to the DAAP Transfer and Transition webpage.

For more information, visit the Transfer and Transition Advising Center. 

Transfer students should apply using our transfer student online application. 

Transfer Articulation Agreements & Pathways 

UC has developed clear pathways (articulation agreements) between select associate degrees at partner institutions and compatible bachelor’s degrees at UC. Each pathway includes a Transfer Degree Map that offers a semester-by-semester course comparison to assist with your transfer planning. 

The following institutions have Transfer Degree Maps for this major:

• Cincinnati State Community College  

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students seeking to transfer from other colleges and programs at UC must be in good standing to be considered for admission. Students wishing to transition into a DAAP program should submit an Application for Change in College and Program. Transition students are generally admitted to the first year of our studio-based, co-op programs due to the sequence of studios and co-op.

For further information such as minimum grade point average and application deadlines, please refer to the DAAP Transfer and Transition webpage.

International Student Requirements

Please visit the university’s Office of Admissions website for general admissions information and application requirements for international students.

Graduation Requirements

Students must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 and, in addition, must have at least a 2.0 grade point average for the senior year to be eligible for graduation. In order to be eligible for graduation with honors, a student must have completed at least 60 semester hours in the college and have earned at least a 3.6 grade point average.

Application Deadlines

High school applicants who submit a complete application by the December 1 Early Action deadline will be pooled and reviewed for selection. Early Action applicants can expect to learn their admission decision on Cincinnati Decision Day. This date varies by year and is shared on the university’s Office of Admissions website.

Students who apply by December 1 also receive maximum scholarship consideration. Applications received after December 1 may be considered on a space-available basis.

Students seeking to transfer from other colleges and programs at UC or another regionally accredited university or college should submit a complete application for admission by the priority deadline of March 1 for the following academic year.

Accreditation