This is a substantial entry level qualification aimed at training people for employment positions such as: Nursery Manager, Technical Officer, Marketing Manager, Consultant, Vocational Trainer, etc.
RECOGNITION:
This school has built a very strong international reputation for quality and a high standard of horticultural education over more than a quarter of a century. A large number of graduates have gone on to become industry leaders both in Australia and around the world.
This course is accredited by the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.
Course developed by a team of industry experts from both Australia and the UK, led by John Mason ...author of "Nursery Management, 2nd ed" published by Landlinks Press, and "Cutting Propagation" published by Simon & Schuster
DURATION:
2,500 hours minimum nominal duration, including:
Being a self paced learning program, the student can study at a rate according to their ability and capabilities.
This course may be studied over 3 years or less on a full time basis, or up to 8 years on a part time basis.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
There are no academic pre-requisites for this course but it is expected that successful applicants have achieved an educational level that will enable the completion of the course objectives.
Entry to this course is based on:
- a person with 5 years industry experience;
- Year 12 standard of education;
- mature age student.
COURSE CONTENT
a/ Compulsory core modules
The following four modules are compulsory: Biochemistry (Plants), Instructional Skills, Business Studies, and Workplace Health and Safety.
b/ Stream Core Modules
800 hours of study in compulsory modules (normally 8 x 100 hour modules).
Horticultural Management, Horticultural Marketing, Botany I, Advanced Propagation, Horticulture I, Soil Management, Plant Protection, plus either Wholesale Nursery Management or Garden Centre Management.
c/ Stream Elective Subjects
600 hours of study in modules (normally 6 X 100 hour modules), selected from the following:
Wholesale Nursery Management or Garden Centre Management (whichever was not previously chosen), Horticulture II, Irrigation, Landscaping I, Fruit Production, Commercial Vegetable Production, Advanced Hydroponics, Australian Native Plants I, Herb Culture, Orchid Culture, Roses.
d/ Optional Electives
200 hours of study in modules (normally 2 X 100 hour modules), which can be chosen from any advanced diploma accredited modules, from a wide range of disciplines, excluding Recreation Administration & Management I, II & IV, Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management.
* Students are to attain a current Senior First Aid Certificate during the course of study.
WORKPLACE ORIENTED RESEARCH
Two Research projects must be undertaken to satisfy the 200 hour nominal duration. Well organised study guides have been developed for Research Project I and II to work through in order to satisfy this part of the course.
Each project will deal with a distinct aspect of workplace activity, and culminate in a written formal report of a length appropriate to the nature of the project.
WORKSHOPS
Two PBL based workshop modules build your practical knowledge and ability to apply what you learn in the real world.
INDUSTRY CONFERENCE/SEMINARS/MEETINGS
You must attend 100 hours (minimum) of industry seminars within the period of the course. These may include such things as industry conferences, seminars, or professional society meetings.
COURSE STRUCTURE SUMMARY
|
COURSE COMPONENT |
NUMBER OF MODULES |
NOMINAL HOURS |
|
Compulsory Core Modules |
4 |
400 |
|
Stream Core Units |
8 |
800 |
|
Stream Elective Subjects/Modules |
6 |
600 |
|
Optional Electives |
2 |
200 |
|
Workplace Research |
2 |
200 |
|
Industry Assoc. Conference/Seminars/Meetings |
1 |
100 |
|
Workshops |
2 |
200 |
OTHER OPTIONS
It is possible to choose any 15 modules (for example), to create an Associate Diploma; provided the combination is sensible and approved by one of our academic staff.
Design your own Associate Diploma, Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Our system is very flexible.
Email the school for assistance with compiling a qualification that is unique, giving you a totally different mix of skills to graduates from other courses!
THE ACS TEAM APPROACH
ACS was founded by John Mason in 1979 as Australian Horticultural Correspondence School.
Right from these very early times, we've always believed that the best education only comes when the student is learning from the experience of a whole range of industry experts (rather than just a single teacher).
Every ACS course is a work in progress, continually evolving, with new information being added and old information being updated by our team of internationally renowned professional horticulturists.
Over the decades more than 100 horticulture experts from across the world have contributed to these courses, bringing their individual knowledge and experiences from as wide afield as England and Spain to Australia and America.
While may colleges and universities focus on providing courses that relate only to the country where they are based, ACS always strives to make its courses relevant to all parts of the world; any climate, economic or cultural situation. This has been achieved by involving a large number of professionals in the course development.
When it comes to tutoring, marking papers and mentoring students, the team approach is just as strong as with our writing. ACS students have the ability to obtain advice and support from staff across the world, with horticulture tutors located in the UK, Australia (both the north and south) and New Zealand.
The ACS team approach and global focus to both course content and student support, ensures our graduates have a unique and "real world" skills set. This unique approach is highly regarded by our colleagues in horticulture.
Contributors to ACS Courses over the years have included:
John Mason -former parks director (Melton, Essendon and Heidelberg), Landscape Designer (Playgrounds and recreation Association of Victoria), Nurseryman, President Australian Institute of Horticulture (Victoria), Committee International Year of the Child (Australia), Author ove over 40 books, Editor Garden Guide Magazine, Editor Your Backyard Magazine.
Maggi Brown - Education officer, Henry Doubleday Research Association (UK), gold medal winner Chelsea Flower Show, Garden consultant.
Adriana Fraser - Horticultural Consultant, TAFE Lecturer, Project Manager - Parks and Gardens, Horticultural writer.
Iain Harrison -Garden Manager Fibremakers, Garden Consultant, Lecturer Swinburne TAFE
Katie Freeth - Manager Commonwealth War Graves (France), Horticultural Consultant (France & UK), Board member Institute of Horticulture, and International Federation Parks & Recreation Administration
Tony Bundock -Horticulture Businessman, Consultant, Head of Horticulture Dept. TAFE
Jim Davis -Horticulture Businessman, Lecturer TAFE (NSW), Principal VCAH Burnley College
Dr Lyn Morgan -author and internationally renowned hydroponics consultant (New Zealand)
Dr Valeria Astorga -horticultural consultant, lecturer (Spain, Peru, Australia)
Alison Bundock -Editor (Kangaroo Press; Southern Cross University), Technical Writer (APM), Consultant
Rosemary Davies -Horticultural concultant, journalist, media personality (Victoria)
