Chicago Botanic Garden

Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Certificate Programs
Garden Design Certificate of Merit Program

This unique curriculum provides the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a garden design professional. It features a solid foundation in plantsmanship and science-based gardening techniques, both of which are essential to creating successful gardens for a wide spectrum of projects, — from private residences and streetscapes to municipal plantings.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Aspiring professional garden designers, and gardeners and garden designers seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites for this program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed.

DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM BROCHURE

 PHOTO: Painting in studio class

Garden Design Certificate Required Courses Prerequisites
Botany 1 None
Botany 2 Botany 1
All OPC core courses  
Choice of two Gardening Techniques Courses
Gardening Techniques: Session A Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session B Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session C Botany 1
Gardening Techniques: Session D Botany 1
Graphics* None
Hardscape Basics* Graphics
Plant Health 1 Botany 1
Plant Health 2 Botany 1, Botany 2, Plant Health 1
Soils and Water Botany 1
Project Basics* Botany 1, Graphics
Discovering Design* Botany 1, Graphics
Experiencing Design* Discovering Design
Early Garden History* None
Modern Garden History* Early Garden History
Planting Design Botany 1, 4 OPC core courses, Graphics, Project Basics
Project Management Botany 1, 6 OPC core courses, Project Basics, Planting Design
Garden Design Studio Capstone course

*Class may be taken prior to fulfilling the Botany 1 requirement.

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS close panel

After completing Botany 1, remaining core courses may be taken in any order. If Botany 1 is not listed as a prerequisite, the course may be taken at any time.

For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within seven years of the start date of our first core course.

You can prove proficiency for up to 20 percent of the coursework by passing proficiency exams for approved courses or providing transcripts indicating grades of at least 70 percent for similar courses. There is no separate enrollment for the program.

Students pursuing the Garden Design Certificate are encouraged to complete their Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate as well. This only requires the addition of 24 hours of elective credit.

A SAMPLE 3.5-YEAR COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE GARDEN DESIGN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM close panel

YEAR 1

Botany 1

Hardy Bulbs

Gardening Techniques: Session C

Small Flowering Trees

Ground Covers & Vines

Deciduous Trees

Gardening Techniques: Session A

Plant Health 1

YEAR 2

Botany 2

Deciduous Flowering Shrubs

Annuals and Biennials

Herbaceous Perennials

Plant Health 2

Conifers & Broad-leafed Evergreens

Soils and Water

YEAR 3

Graphics

Project Basics

Discovering Design

Experiencing Design

Hardscape Basics

Planting Design

YEAR 4

Early Garden History

Modern Garden History

Project Management

Garden Design Studio