Continuing and Professional Education Learning Collaborative Competitive Scan: Online Bachelor s Degrees in Horticulture- Related Disciplines Oregon State University Custom Inquiry Eduventures, Inc. 2009 August 2009
Background, Methodology, and Key Findings Background Oregon State University plans to offer a bachelor s of science (B.S.) in Horticulture. It seeks information on the competitive landscape of similar national online B.S. programs. Related disciplines may include: Botany Environmental Crop and Soil Sciences Landscape Architecture Turf Science Urban Landscaping Methodology Secondary scans of the following sources: Online degree databases (e.g., elearners, Petersons) Relevant horticulture associations/web sites General Internet searches (e.g., Google) Institutional Web sites Key Findings Competition is very limited for online bachelor s degrees in horticulture and related fields Certificate programs are more abundant and more often offered completely online Lack of interest forced University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign one of the most comprehensive online horticulture programs, although limited to Chicago to discontinue its bachelor s degree; fall 2009 will be the last enrollment Eduventures, Inc. 2009 2
Horticulture-Related Online Offerings A National Competitive Scan Revealed Two Bachelor s Degree s in Horticulture Delivered in a Hybrid Format; No 100% Online Program was Identified; Oregon State University s Offering Would be Unique and Relevant to the Growing Green Industry Institution Offering On-Site Requirements URL Texas Tech University Cornell University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign B.S. Environmental Crop and Soil Sciences Certificate in Organic Gardening Certificate in Plant Propagation Chicago Bachelor's Degree Completion Program in Horticulture Program may require students to take sciences at local community colleges None Hybrid program with online offerings; the majority of the program is face-to-face None http://www.pssc.ttu.edu/bsdista nce/bsdistindex.php http://www.pssc.ttu.edu/progra mpages/ecss_cir.php http://hort.cals.cornell.edu/cals/ hort/teaching/distance-learning/ http://www.vto.vt.edu/index.php http://www.continuinged.uiuc.ed u/ocesites/outreach/profile_hortchica go.cfm Penn State World Campus B.S. in Turf Grass Science None http://www.worldcampus.psu.ed u/bachelorinturfgrassscience.s html Of identified programs, only Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Texas Tech University offers a B.S. degree with the majority of coursework available online; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is discontinuing its program in fall 2009. Beyond bachelor s degrees, the most common offerings are diploma programs in landscaping as highlighted in the Appendix. Eduventures, Inc. 2009 3
Profile of Online and Hybrid Programs: Cost and URL Texas Tech Offers the Least Expensive at $176 per Credit The average cost for in-state students is $312 and for out-of-state students is $445 Institution Name of Program, Cost Per Credit, and URL* Offering Per Credit* Tuition Full Program* Texas Tech University Cornell University B.S. Environmental Crop and Soil Sciences Certificate in Organic Gardening Certificate in Plant Propagation $176 $21,080 $300 (8-week program) $350 (8-week program) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Resident: $282 Non-Resident: $814 Resident:$33,840 Non-Resident:$97,620 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Chicago Bachelor's Degree Completion Program in Horticulture $327 $42,510 Penn State World Campus B.S. in Turf Grass Science $463 $55,560 * Rounded to the nearest dollar Source: Institutional Web sites, 2009 Eduventures, Inc. 2009 4
Profile of Online and Hybrid Programs: Marketing Message and Curriculum Messages Highlight Lucrative Careers, Diverse Paths, and the Opportunity to Gain Expertise; Most Programs Focus on Biotechnology and Turf Marketing Message and Examples of Curriculum Institution Offering Marketing Message Key Curriculum Texas Tech University Cornell University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Penn State World Campus Source: Institutional Web sites, 2009 B.S. Environmental Crop and Soil Sciences Certificate in Organic Gardening Certificate in Plant Propagation Chicago Bachelor's Degree B.S. in Turfgrass Science you can turn a love of plants and fresh air into a lucrative career. students will learn to improve environmental quality. experienced gardeners broaden their understanding. Careers in horticulture are diverse and rewarding. Graduates are in high demand in the green industry. Prepares students for careers in the production, marketing, management and use of horticultural maximize your career potential in any turf grass-related field. Focus on biotechnology, crop protection, environmental science and turf Focus on crop biotechnology, crop protection, cropping systems management, soil and water science, forages and grazing systems Focus on soil, compost and mulch; managing pests organically; vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs: planning and season; organic lawn care Focus on seeds, cuttings, layering, division, grafting, micropropogation Three Concentrations: horticulture crops production, horticulture science and biotechnology Focus on production and management, landscape, nursery and turf Focus on soils, turfgrass systems, pesticides, management, etc. Eduventures, Inc. 2009 5
Appendix Additional Providers of Online Horticulture-Related Certificate and Degree Programs Name of Institution Program Title URL Ashworth College Diploma in Landscape Design http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/progra ms/skilled-trade/gt/outline.html North Carolina State University North Carolina State University Oklahoma State University Graduate Certificate in Horticulture Undergraduate Minor in Agricultural Business Management Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR) Outreach offers online courses http://distance.ncsu.edu/programs/gradu ate-certificate-in-horticultural-science http://distance.ncsu.edu/programs/under graduate-programs.php http://casnr.okstate.edu/outreach Penn Foster Career School Diploma Professional Landscaper http://www.pennfoster.edu/landscaper/ Stonebridge UK Stratford Career Institute University of Guelph/Center for Open Learning Warnborough College Ireland Washington State University Certificate in Horticulture Diploma in Landscaping Gardening Certificate in Horticulture/Growing Plants for Profit, Creating Landscapes Online Organic Agriculture Certificate http://www.stonebridge.uk.com/det/200/ Horticulture http://www.scitraining.com/courses_us /Gardening_Landscaping/Course.htm http://www.horticulturecertificates.com/ certificate_horticulturist.html http://www.warnborough.ie/faculties/sci ence/bsc_horticulture.htm http://online.wsu.edu/future_students/dc _organic_ag.aspx Eduventures, Inc. 2009 6