Frequently Asked Questions
College of DuPage Horticulture Program
What is the difference between a degree and a certificate?
Our 64 credit AAS degree includes program requirements, program electives and general education (Gen
Ed) classes. Biology 1110 or Biology 1151 or Chemistry 1211, and Math for Horticulture are considered
Gen Ed classes, and are included in the program requirements. You may use transfer credit for biology or
chemistry (as long as the course is comparable and has a lab component-talk with a faculty advisor for
approval), but there is no substitution for the Math for Horticulture class.
Our 7 certificates vary in credit, ranging from a minimum of 7 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.
Visit www.cod.edu/horticulture for a complete listing of program requirements, electives, and Gen Ed
requirements.
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. A faculty advisor can help plan a schedule that works
for you.
What is Cooperative Education/Internship?
Co-op/Internship is an opportunity for students to work in their chosen specialty within the industry while
earning credit. The degree and five of the seven certificates require a 3 credit Co-op/Internship experience.
These experiences are done after a student has earned 12 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, and the Co-op/Internship office gets job notices as well. In addition, we host an annual
Career and Job Fair the first Tuesday in February where many students line up their work experience.
Contact Judy Burgholzer at (630) 942-3095 or Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper at (630) 942-2526 when you are
ready to begin. Information is available on the web at home.cod.edu/studentservices/coop/student. We
recommend you do the online orientation found at that link.
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 1110 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.
New student transfer evaluations begin two weeks into their first term at COD. Have an official transcript
sent to the Records office, then fill out a transcript evaluation request form available at
home.cod.edu/records/transcript_eval.aspx.
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 advisor 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 COD 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, test
taking, math and writing skills, etc. If you have special needs or concerns, ask your faculty advisor 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 Hort 1100, Introduction to Horticulture as
one of your first classes. It is required for the degree and most certificates, and is a prerequisite for several
courses. Check the Catalog course descriptions (available at www.cod.edu) 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 advisor.
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 6:00 pm 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?
Midway through each semester an advising newsletter called The Update is distributed to currently enrolled
students. It provides important information on the upcoming semester and events in the department. A
TENTATIVE schedule of classes for the next year is also available. Keep in mind that not all classes are
offered every semester. Always consult with a faculty advisor for the most current information.
Is financial aid available?
There are many types of financial aid; for details, go to www.cod.edu and click on the Financial Aid link.
For scholarship information, check the financial aid web page or with a faculty advisor. Many professional
organizations and area garden clubs offer scholarships.
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, or on the Records
website.
If you have additional questions, check the resources available at
www.cod.edu/horticulture
or contact
Judy Burgholzer at (630) 942-3095 (burghoj@cod.edu)
Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper at (630) 942-2526 (fitzpatr@cod.edu)