Horticulture (Cannabis Biology and Cultivation Track)

Career Outlook

This program prepares you for professional horticulture careers with a focus on the cannabis industry. Some career paths include:

• Budtender
• Cannabis Cultivation
• Dispensary Manager
• Extractor
• Plant Scientist
• Testing Lab Technician

Curious about career pathways in this field? Check out Career Coach to learn more about industry job growth, education requirements, earning potential, and more. 

Smooth Transfer to a Four-Year College

If you're considering a bachelor’s degree after FLCC, our academic advisors will help you connect with four-year schools and explore transfer options. We'll assist you in selecting courses that efficiently meet the requirements for both FLCC and your future college.

• Joint Admissions Agreements: These allow first-year students to gain admission to both FLCC and participating four-year schools at the same time. Gain peace of mind knowing your next step is set while you complete your associate degree with us.
• Transfer Articulation Agreements: These partnerships ensure your credits from FLCC will transfer directly and seamlessly to a partner four-year school. You can enter a bachelor’s program with full junior standing, saving you time and money.

VIEW TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

Where Our Students Transfer

Many students in our Horticulture program go on to complete a four-year degree at colleges such as:

• Cornell University
• Penn State
• Rutgers University
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• SUNY Brockport
• SUNY Geneseo
• SUNY MorrisvilleUniversity of Michigan

Specialize in Cannabis Cultivation

Three cannabis-specific courses covering cultivation, industrial applications, and regulations introduce you to the field. Study the laws related to cannabis production, develop management skills, and discover the medicinal value of the plant. Upon graduation, you'll be ready to work in this specialized horticulture field — or elsewhere in the industry.

Learn From Industry Professionals

Meet professional horticulturists through guest lectures and field trips. You'll learn from experts at Cornell Cooperative Extension, the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Department of Environmental Conservation, among others.

You'll also visit regional gardens, greenhouses, and nurseries to see professional horticultural work in action, including:

• Cornell AgriTech — a research center providing practical solutions for farmers and agriculture businesses to thrive.
• Coldwater Pond Nursery — a family nursery specializing in growing woody ornamental plants.
• Highland Botanical Park — a world-class arboretum with 500+ varieties of lilacs, woody plants, and tree species.

Real-World Experience in Plant Management

Our Horticulture degree program includes over 50 hours of professional experience in plant propagation, cultivation, and greenhouse management — including working with cannabis to learn its unique growing and harvesting techniques.

Join Our Cannabis Professionals Studies Club

Learn more about the cannabis industry by joining our Cannabis Professionals Studies Club. The club connects its members to a network of industry professionals. Discover how to develop licensed cannabis businesses and prepare for a career in the field.

Sample Courses

Visit our academic catalog for a complete listing of program requirements, including prerequisites, general education requirements, electives, and a sample schedule.

View Full Curriculum

Sample core courses you'll take in this program include:

• AGR 100 - Soil Science
• HRT 102 - First Year Experience in Horticulture
• HRT 110 - Introduction to Horticulture
• HRT 135 - Regulations of Cannabis Cultivation
• HRT 150 - Herbaceous Plant Materials
• HRT 151 - Woody Plant Materials
• HRT 220 - Field Experiences in Horticulture
• HRT 235 - Cannabis: Biology to Industrial Applicat
• HRT 236 - Cannabis Cultivation
• HRT 260 - Applied Plant Pathology w/ IPM
• HRT 280 - Field Entomology W/ Integrated Pest Mgmt