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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a degree and a certificate?
Our 64-credit AAS degree includes 18 credits of program requirements, 24 credits of program electives and 22 credits of general education (Gen Ed) classes. Biology or Chemistry, and Math for Horticulture are considered Gen Ed classes; both are required for the degree. You may use transfer credit for the biology or chemistry classes (as long as the course is comparable and has a lab component-talk with an adviser for approval), but there is no substitution for the Math for Horticulture class.

Our six certificates vary in credit, ranging from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 35 credits. Their titles indicate a specific area of horticulture study and they include horticulture courses related to that area, but there is no general education component.

How long will it take to complete my coursework?
The degree is considered to be a two-year degree, assuming you are a full-time student. It will take you more time to complete if attending part-time. You also need to pay close attention to when classes are scheduled, as many are offered just one time per year. Since the certificates vary in credit, the amount of time to complete their requirements will also vary.

What is Cooperative Education?
Co-op is an opportunity for students to work in their chosen specialty within the industry while earning credit. The degree and five of the six certificates require a three-credit Co-op experience. These experiences are generally completed after a student has earned 12 to 18 semester hours of credit in horticulture. Students arrange their own work experience. Though we do not offer placement, employers regularly send us job notices that we post outside the greenhouse. The Co-op office gets job notices as well. In addition, we host an annual Career and Job Fair in February where many students line up their work experience. Contact Judy Burgholzer at 942-3095 or Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper at 942-2526 when you are ready to begin. Additional information is also available on the Cooperative Education web site.

I already have a degree in another major. Will that help me?
Yes, a four-year degree will allow you to transfer Gen Ed credits that count toward the two-year AAS degree in Horticulture. However, if you’ve never taken Chemistry 1211 or Biology 1151 (or the equivalent), you will need one of them to meet our AAS degree program requirements. You will also need to take Math 1104, Math for Horticulture.

Transfer credits are evaluated after you have registered for your first term. Have an official transcript sent to the Records office, then contact Records at 942-3829 and ask for a transcript evaluation for a Horticulture AAS degree.

Can I transfer individual courses so I don’t have to take them again?
In most cases, yes. Once your transcript has been evaluated by the Records office, individual courses that transfer will be indicated on the degree audit. For horticulture transfer courses, bring a course description or syllabus to your faculty adviser for an individual assessment.

I haven’t attended school in ages. Can I be successful in classes with younger students?
Yes. The student population at C.O.D. is not as young as you may think. The average age is 34 and our horticulture classes have many students older (and younger) than that. Some people take our classes to explore a career change; others already work in the horticulture industry and return for additional training. Don’t forget – there are many resources on campus to help you with your concerns on note-taking, testing, math and writing skills, etc. If you have special needs or concerns, ask your faculty adviser for more information.

Can I test out of any classes?
We do not offer testing out of horticulture classes; however, some departments do offer this option. Consult the individual department or the Testing Lab for more information.

Should I take classes in any particular order?
In general, no. However, we usually recommend that you take OH 1100, Introduction to Horticulture, as one of your first classes. It is required for the degree and all certificates, and it is a prerequisite for several courses. Check the Catalog course descriptions to identify classes with prerequisites. Otherwise, you are free to take courses in any order. We do recommend intermingling Gen Ed with horticulture classes as you progress instead of saving them until the end of your studies. If in doubt about your planned course of study, consult with a faculty adviser.

How many courses should I take each semester?
This depends greatly on the individual student. You need to decide how much time you want to devote to classes and studying. Consider all of the following: your work/volunteer schedule, your family’s needs, your ultimate goal and personal timetable, and your financial situation. We have students who take as few as one class a year to four or more each semester. Be aware that four or more classes is a heavy load.

I work during the day. Do you offer any night or weekend courses?
We have a full offering of night classes that usually begin at 6 p.m. and meet one night per week. It has been difficult to get strong enrollment in weekend classes. At this time, we have no plans to offer Saturday courses.

How can I be assured of getting into the classes I need when I need them?
There are no guarantees. However, keeping informed and registering at the earliest time allowed is your best bet. If you are closed out of a full class, please call the Horticulture department and ask to be put on a wait list. Though this does NOT guarantee you a place in the class, it’s the next best registration alternative, and helps us to know the number of students desiring a course. Wait lists also help us plan more accurately for future semesters. You can monitor enrollment by checking the class schedule on the web page.

How can I plan for future semesters?
Scheduling an appointment with a faculty adviser to discuss your goals is always a good idea. Contact information for a faculty adviser is listed at the end of this document.
Midway through each semester, “The Update” newsletter is distributed to currently enrolled students. It is also available in the Horticulture office. It provides important information on the upcoming semester and events in the department. You should also check the glass enclosed bulletin board outside the greenhouse for a TENTATIVE schedule of classes for the next year. Keep in mind that not all classes are offered every semester. Always consult with a faculty adviser for the most current information.

Is financial aid available?
There are many types of financial aid. For details, call the Financial Aid department. Also, check outside the greenhouse for scholarship information from professional organizations, area garden clubs and our own department plant shop, Plants Plus.

How do I obtain my degree or certificate once I’ve completed the coursework?
You should petition for a degree or certificate at least one semester before your expected graduation date. Forms are available in the Records office and Counseling and Advising Services.

If you have additional questions, check the resources
available at www.cod.edu or contact Judy Burgholzer, (630) 942-3095, e-mail: burghoj@cod.edu or Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, (630) 942-2526, e-mail: fitzpatr@cod.edu.

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