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Bachelor of Applied Science - Horticulture

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Length: Diploma + Two Years Delivery: Blended Program Intake: Fall Intake
CIP Code: CIP Code: 01.0601

This two-year program focuses on combining science and technology with business concepts that will enable you to have a successful career in horticulture or starting your own business.

Overview

Accessing our unique campus that acts as a living lab, consisting of a 15 acre constructed wetland, botanic gardens, greenhouses and 12,000 square foot Landscape Pavilion, you’ll develop expertise in integrated pest management, research methods and sustainable site technologies.

Program Delivery: Hybrid full-time program. Fall intake begins online in November, with on-campus learning starting in January. Classes are delivered synchronously and can be accessed either online or in person.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Applied Science in Horticulture

Work-Integrated Learning

Fourth year students of the Bachelor of Applied Science - Horticulture program will be required to complete an eight-month Directed Field Study, where they will gain valuable hands-on experience in a mentored workplace setting.

Accreditation

Graduates are eligible to pursue certification through the Horticulture Certification Program by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

Admission Requirements

  • 2.5 GPA in the 60 credits from the Olds College of Agriculture & Technology Horticulture Technologist Diploma, or an equivalent program, or a degree in a closely related area.

  • OR Certified Journeyperson Landscape Horticulturist

  • Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement 

Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.

International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.

  • Olds College has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements

Program Details

Tuition, Fees & Affordability

Estimated Tuition & Fees for Domestic Applicants

Year Tuition Fees Books & Supplies Estimated Total
Year 3 $5,600.00 $1,400.00 $500.00 $7,500.00
Year 4 $5,900.00 $1,200.00 $0.00 $7,100.00
  • These fees are provided as estimates only based on the current academic year.
  • The estimate only includes tuition, mandatory fees and books & supplies.
  • Refer to the appropriate academic year Fee Schedule for the most up to date information.
  • International students pay a differentiated tuition rate and should refer to the appropriate academic year Fee Schedule.

Tuition, Fees & Payments


Housing & Meal Plans

Olds College offers two residence options — Centennial Village and College Courts. Students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan. Housing and meal plan costs are based on the full academic year (September to April), but students in single-term programs will only pay for the corresponding term. 

For more details, visit Dining at Olds College and Campus Housing.

Course Details

For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.

Academic Calendar: Bachelor of Applied Science - Horticulture

Term 1
  • Completed the following:
    • BHO3300 - Project Management Principles
    • BHO3999 - Directed Field Study Preparation
    • HRT2200 - Emerging Trends & Innovations in Horticulture
Term 2
  • Completed the following:
    • BHO3100 - Research Methods
    • BHO3500 - Sustainable Sites
    • BHO3540 - Social Innovation Through Horticulture
    • BHO3800 - Leadership in Horticulture
    • BHO3999 - Directed Field Study Preparation
    • WTR3000 - Water Capture and Management
Term 3
  • Completed or concurrently enrolled in:
    • BHO4000 - Integrated Project
    • BHO4710 - Ethics & Pest Management
    • BHO4999 - Horticulture Directed Field Study
Term 4
  • Completed the following:
    • BHO4000 - Integrated Project
    • BHO4710 - Ethics & Pest Management
    • BHO4999 - Horticulture Directed Field Study

Funding & Awards

Scholarships & Student Awards

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.

For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards 

Student Funding

For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.

Entrance Awards Available!

Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.

Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria.
Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance.

Career Outcomes

Olds College of Agriculture & Technologyhas a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Landscape design, construction and maintenance 
  • Greenhouse, garden centre and controlled environment production
  • Production-focused operations, such as field crops, orchards, sod and tree nurseries
  • Urban agriculture and sustainable horticulture enterprises
  • Supervisory roles in places such as municipal or institutional parks

Ready to start your career?

Visit ALIS - Occupational Profiles to discover current wages, industry trends, and more about your future job.

Admitted Students

Program Dates

Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration

You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation

It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:

  • A laptop is preferred.

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

  • Go to portal.office.com
  • Enter your Olds College email address and password
  • Once logged in, there is a button on the right that says “Install Office Apps”

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies

Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Other Important Information

  • Time Requirements: This program is delivered using a modified schedule. Most courses are scheduled over a 7.5-week block. Online classes are delivered asynchronously, with set deadlines for assessments. In-person, on-campus classes are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Students must be prepared to make necessary arrangements to allow participation in the full range of classroom activities to gain the competencies required in each course.

    The final year is entirely online while students are employed full-time in the horticulture industry.
  • Student Clubs: It is recommended to join the Horticulture Club and Turf Club since these offer an additional dimension to your Olds College experience. There are also a number of college sports teams, some of which participate at the inter-collegiate level while others are purely recreational.

  • Additional Skills: Basic computer skills are recommended for all and it is certainly beneficial to have some prior experience with computers before you arrive at the College. A familiarity and comfort in the use of Google products, word processing, spreadsheet and e-mailing software will be a definite asset. Students have the ability to take notes directly into their devices as the class proceeds. You will be schooled in other systems once you arrive and as need dictates. For example, the learning management system ‘Moodle’ is commonly used in the School of Life Science & Business and you will be introduced to its use and application in your very first classes.

    Lockers: All you need to do during your first few days at Olds College is to select one without a lock and it’s yours for the duration. I strongly recommend that you select a locker in the first week of classes because of high demand. You are required to provide your own lock.

Program Highlights

Megan Miller

Olds College provided me with the skill sets needed to find a job in the industry I wanted. Through the small class sizes and hands-on learning, I gained skill sets relevant to getting a career in the environmental field today. I made some of the most meaningful friendships with people who are as passionate about this industry as I am.

Megan Miller 2018 Graduate

Tim Moreland

The program at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology tells you what you need to know and is a stepping stone to a successful horticulture career. It gave me the insight into the horticulture industry I needed to start planning my own business.

Tim Moreland Bachelor of Applied Science - Horticulture, 1998

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Talk to Recruitment!

Connect directly with the recruitment team at Olds College to get personalized support as you explore your pathway to post-secondary study. Whether you have questions about programs, admission requirements, campus life or next steps in your application journey, our recruitment specialists are here to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.

Talk to Recruitment

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Admission requires completion of a Horticulture Technologist Diploma (or equivalent) or a Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist certification, plus meeting English Language Proficiency requirements.

  • Yes. Students complete an eight‑month Directed Field Study in a mentored workplace setting to gain hands‑on experience in real horticulture, landscaping or greenhouse operations.

  • Graduates can pursue careers in greenhouse or nursery production, landscape design and construction, sod or tree‑nursery operations, urban agriculture, sustainable horticulture, orchard or orchard management, greenhouse or controlled‑environment crop production, or work in garden centres, parks maintenance, or landscape and grounds operations.
  • The program is delivered in a hybrid full‑time format: the fall intake begins online in November, and on‑campus learning with labs and hands‑on sessions begins in January. Classes are offered both synchronously online and in‑person.

  • Yes. Graduates are eligible to pursue certification through the certification program of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

Apply now for 2026-27!

Applications for 2027-28 open Oct. 1, 2026, 9 a.m.

Get started — learn how to apply today!

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