Why Major in Agronomy: Horticulture?
Agronomy: Horticulture majors at Northwest gain a broad knowledge of agriculture, and are also exposed to many diverse greenhouse and nursery production, fruit and vegetable culture as well as landscape and turf fabrication.
Faculty focus on five core areas: greenhouse management and production; vegetable and fruit production methods; post-harvest technology along with food safety and local production issues; landscape, plants, design and maintenance; and sustainability in today’s horticulture industry.
Minor in Horticulture
A minor in horticulture teaches students the fundamentals of plant science, soil science, plant propagation, study of insects and plant diseases. After taking the required courses, students can customize their minor from a list of approved electives. For a list of required courses, visit the academic catalog. This minor requires the completion of 24 credit hours.
Career Ready. Day One.
Northwest ensures students are career ready, day one through internships, field experiences and networking opportunities. Read Danna and Abby's story »
Career Opportunities
100%
placement rate
100% of students who graduated with a degree in horticulture obtained employment or continued their education within six months after graduation.
The following is a listing of common positions for graduates with a horticulture major:
- Greenhouse/Nursery Manager
- Groundskeeper
- Lab Technician
- Landscape Designer
- Retail Sales
- Soil Sampler
- Turf Specialist
- Plant Production
For a list of job placements by year, view the placement reports »
*Based on self-reported data in recent years.
Learning Resources
Horticulture Complex is the home to classroom, a research laboratory a preparatory room for horticulture majors. The campus has seven greenhouses with state-of-the-art technology.
Profession-Based Learning Experiences
Study Abroad is an opportunity for students to apply hands-on international experience to their own academic development. Faculty members supervise short-term study abroad programs that prepare students before, during and after the program. Two types of study abroad programs are available – faculty-led and traditional study abroad.
The traditional program may be a semester, summer or year-long program and is taught by Northwest’s international partner institutions. Students of from the agriculture school have studied in Puerto Rico, Ireland and Germany.
Internships
Although internships are not required in the horticulture major, they are highly encouraged to gain hands-on, real-world experience.
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I gained much knowledge about sand bunker renovations using the "Better Billy Bunker System",-a new green for grass establishment, and how to correctly place square tee boxes. I learned a lot during my summer internship and will use the knowledge I attained with my future career of becoming a golf course superintendent. Taylor Olson
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Zuleika McClarnon
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I interned at Maccurrach Golf Construction. I was involved with construction at TPC Sawgrass golf course in Jacksonville, Florida. TPC Sawgrass is world famous for hole number 17 because of the island green-as you can see in the picture. The big project at TPC Sawgrass was re-sodding all 18 fairways and tee boxes in two weeks. This was a huge task and required a lot of work and skill to complete. The cost of the renovation totaled $7.5 million. When the TPC renovation was completed, I had the privilege of being part of a complete nine-hole renovation that took place across the street at Sawgrass Country Club.
For my internship, I worked at the Plant House in Maryville. I spend my time transplanting, watering, restocking plants and helping customers with any questions or concerns they may have. Beside those daily activities, I use the knowledge gained at Northwest and the experience of my co-workers to give the customers the best experience possible.The Northwest Difference
Founded in 1905, Northwest is a traditional campus with more than 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in the middle of everywhere, Maryville is two hours from Omaha, Nebraska and Kansas City, Missouri and 2 ½ hours from Des Moines, Iowa.
The Bearcat Advantage provides out-of-state students the opportunity to earn in-state tuition rates that can save more than $7,500. With the average undergraduate financial aid award of $3,588 for in-state students and $9,804 for out-of-state students, Northwest offers a quality education at an affordable price.
At Northwest, the American Dream Grant covers 100% of the tuition and fees for Pell-eligible students.
Save more than $7,200 over four years through our textbooks and laptop program.
Laptop Program Information
Nearly $22 Million in scholarships and grants awarded annually.
Scholarship Information
Students organizations, internships and profession-based learning experiences ensure students are Career Ready, Day One.
Read student stories
Graduation Rate: 90th percentile of Northwest's national peer group.
