• PHC is the first home study horticulture program designed specifically for the Prairie Provinces. It was developed for both professionals working in the horticulture industry and gardening enthusiasts.
  • This program is recognized by the Ministry of Education in the Province of Saskatchewan for the Additional Qualification Certificate (AQC). K to 12 teachers can upgrade their classification with PHC.
  • PHC is an approved training program by the City of Saskatoon for employee career advancement.
  • It is flexibly designed as a part-time program so you can balance work, school and life. Expect to work eight to ten hours per week for a six credit unit course (.6) & approximately half that for a three credit unit (.3) course.
  • Instructors are available online, by email or by telephone. Some classes require textbooks. Assignments are submitted online, by fax or by email.
  • Core courses that are required for a particular stream must be successfully completed to receive certification. You may also take courses for personal interest or professional upgrading.
  • This program is collaboratively offered by a consortium of three Western Canadian educational institutions: Assiniboine Community College (Brandon, Manitoba), Olds College (Olds, Alberta) and the University of Saskatchewan. Each consortium partner develops and delivers courses in areas of expertise.

Regular Admission:

  • 17 years of age and older
  • Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, ABE, ACE subjects are not accepted for regular admission)

Probationary Admission: if you are not admissible in the regular category, you may apply under probationary admission. To be considered for probationary admission, applicants must submit the following:

  • transcripts for any Grade 12 or equivalent subjects, or courses at a recognized post-secondary institution
  • resumé, if available

If you are accepted under probationary admission, you may register for one course per term. If you successfully pass two courses with an average mark of 60% or better, you will meet regular admission requirements.

There are four study streams to choose from:

  • Fruit and Vegetable Production
  • Greenhouse Crop Production
  • Landscaping and Arboriculture
  • Nursery Crop Production

To obtain a Certificate, students complete the required number of core courses, together with the courses specified for a particular stream, and maintain an overall weighted average of 60%; a total of nine courses equivalent to 360 hours (36 credit units) represents the minimum requirement. Students may also take courses for personal interest or professional upgrading.

Additional PHC Certificate: The University of Saskatchewan will grant an additional Prairie Horticulture Certificate to anyone that has completed the required courses for another stream. A total of an additional 18 non-degree credit units of new course work (not used for first certificate) must be completed. Transcripts and Certificate parchments will indicate the specific stream(s) completed.

Fruit and Vegetable Production Stream

Required Courses:

  • HORT 13.6 (University of Saskatchewan). Note: foundational course; start with this one
  • HORT 38.3 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • SLSC 14.6 (University of Saskatchewan). Note: foundational course; take this one after you have taken Applied Botany

Choose at least three of the following:

  • HORT 14.6 (Olds College)
  • HORT 15.3 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • HORT 41.3 (Olds College)
  • HORT 42.3 (Olds College)

Choose at least two of the following:

  • HORT 20.3 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 23.3 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 28.6 (Olds Collge)

  • PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.

Greenhouse Crop Production Stream

Required Courses:

  • HORT 13.6 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 25.6 (Olds College)
  • HORT 35.3 (Olds College)
  • SLSC 14.6 (Assiniboine Community College)

Choose at least 3 courses from the following list:

  • HORT 14.6 (University of Manitoba)
  • HORT 15.3 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • HORT 41.3 (Olds College)
  • HORT 42.3 (Olds College)

Choose at least 1 course from the following:

  • HORT 28.6 (Olds College)
  • HORT 34.6 (University of Saskatchewan)

  • PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet minimum requirements.

Landscaping and Arboriculture Stream

Required Courses:

  • HORT 13.6 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 27.3 (University of Manitoba)
  • HORT 30.3 (University of Manitoba)
  • SLSC 14.6 (University of Saskatchewan)

Choose at least 3 courses from the following list:

  • HORT 14.6 (University of Manitoba)
  • HORT 15.3 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • HORT 41.3 (Olds College)
  • HORT 42.3 (Olds College)

Choose at least 2 courses from the following list:

  • HORT 31.6 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • HORT 33.3 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 34.6 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 36.6 (Olds College)
  • HORT 37.3 (Olds College)

  • PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet minimum requirements.

Nursery and Crop Production Stream

Required Courses:

  • HORT 13.6 (University of Saskatchewan)
  • HORT 26.3 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • HORT 28.6 (Olds College)
  • SLSC 14.6 (University of Saskatchewan)

Choose at least 3 courses from the following list:

  • HORT 14.6 (University of Manitoba)
  • HORT 15.3 (Assiniboine Community College)
  • HORT 41.3 (Olds College)
  • HORT 42.3 (Olds College)

Choose at least 1 course from the following list:

  • HORT 27.3 (University of Manitoba)
  • HORT 36.6 (Olds College)
  • HORT 37.3 (Olds College)

  • PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet minimum requirements.