Nursery Management

Program Description

The Associate in Science (AS) degree in Nursery Management provides advanced training for working in the wholesale and retail nursery industry. Students will learn growing and maintenance practices for a wide variety of plant species, advanced propagation techniques, watering systems, basic soil and fertilizer chemistry, pest and disease control, and nursery business operations.

To qualify for the Associate in Science Degree, students must satisfactorily complete the major requirements specified below and the local AA/AS general education requirements. The completion time for this degree program is generally 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

This AS degree program requires:

1. Completion of at least 60 degree-applicable semester units including the following:
   1. A minimum of 18 semester units from the program (major) requirements
   2. A minimum of 21 units of local AA/AS General Education requirements
   3. A minimum of 12 of the 60 units must be completed at Merritt College
   4. Courses taken outside the Peralta Community College District will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are degree-applicable
   5. If the General Education and the major units do not total 60, complete degree-applicable elective course(s) to reach the required 60 units
2. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major
3. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for General Education Area 1A: English Composition and Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
4. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in General Education coursework and in all coursework for the degree

As this degree alone may not be complete preparation for transfer, students wishing to transfer to a 4-year institution should meet with a counselor to develop a plan that addresses all transfer requirements.

Career Opportunities

Nursery Management A.S. Degree established positions and job titles: 1. Wholesale nursery worker or manager 2. Wholesale nursery propagator 3. Retail nursery salesperson or manager 4.. City, County or Municipality Nursery Worker or Manager

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Perform state-of-the-art sustainable operations of a professional nursery person in both wholesale and retail nursery operations.
2. Demonstrate ability to grow and/or maintain nursery stock including basic nursery propagation, soils, watering systems, fertilizers, pest and disease control, and plant evaluation.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of all aspects of nursery management including the basics of financial, site operations, personnel, and marketing aspects.