Skip to Content Find it Fast

This browser does not support Cascading Style Sheets.

Landscape Operations Diploma Program

The Thompson School has a program leading to a Diploma in Landscape Horticulture. This day program is open to part-time students who want to concentrate in landscaping and obtain a credential, but who are not matriculated in a degree program at the Thompson School or elsewhere within the University.

The UNH Thompson School is well-known for its strong career-oriented programs which provide a combination of theoretical classroom and practical in-the-field education. This Diploma program in Landscape Horticulture draws upon these Thompson School strengths to prepare individuals for career entry-level employment in landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Students in this program will find their talents challenged and developed by a faculty concerned with student learning. Students will be able to apply the skills and knowledge they learn to a variety of settings. If a student is accepted for admission to the Thompson School Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Horticultural Technology, credits earned in the Diploma Program are transferable.

Diploma Requirements

The Diploma Program consists of 22 credit hours of courses taken in the Thompson School’s Horticultural Technology curriculum.

Required core courses (12 credit hours):

HT 205 Plants, People and Place (2 cr.)
HT 215 Soils and Land Use (2 cr.)
HT 217 Soils and Plant Nutrition (2 cr.)
HT 234 Pest Management (4cr.)
HT 256 Horticultural Pruning (2 cr.)

Approved electives (10 credit hours) selected from the following list:

HT 251 Intro to Design Communication (2 cr.)
HT 257 Woody Landscape Plants (3 cr.)
HT 258 Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (2 cr.)
HT 260 Grounds Maintenance (2cr)
HT 263 Landscape Construction (4 cr.)
HT 266 Garden Design and Culture (2 cr.)
HT 270 Grounds Management (2cr)
HT 272 Landscape Design Studio (4 cr.)

A Diploma in Landscape Horticulture will be awarded by The Thompson School of Applied Science upon successful completion of the required courses with an overall grade average of C (2.00) or better. A permanent academic record of courses completed at UNH will be maintained at the Registrar’s Office.

Application Information

This program is designed for individuals who wish to broaden their Landscape Horticulture background or make a career change into the field of landscape design, construction and maintenance. Application is made through the Thompson School of Applied Science. Transfer of credits from other institutions should be discussed with the Horticultural Technology Curriculum Chair. Each student, once accepted into the program, will have a faculty advisor. Faculty advising includes program planning, career counseling, and information on transfer into the Thompson School’s Horticultural Technology Associate in Applied Science degree program. Students can register through Continuing Education.

Application Procedures

  1. In order to apply students must have a High School diploma or the equivalent and should send proof of such with their application.
  2. Students must apply prior to completion of their third course. Students can be enrolled concurrently in these courses while they are submitting their application for acceptance into the Diploma Program.
  3. Students must complete and return the attached application form with a $25 non-refundable application fee. Checks should be made out to UNH.
  4. An appointment for academic advising with faculty in the Thompson School Horticultural Technology Curriculum is strongly suggested. Call the Thompson School office at 603-862-1025.

Transfer Credits

Because of the few courses required for the diploma, normally only one course (up to 4 credit hours) will be accepted in transfer from other colleges. This course must be similar in content to a required diploma course, must be at least a 2-credit course, and must have been completed with a C (2.00) or better grade. Students believing they have courses that might be transferable should discuss this with the Curriculum Chair in Horticultural Technology or with their assigned faculty advisor.