QUALIFICATION - ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN HORTICULTURE - ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE (VHT009)

RECOGNITION:

This course is written to satisfy all relevant competencies for accreditation through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Graduates from any of the horticulture oriented diplomas offered by this school have been extremely successful over more than a quarter of a century. The principal (John Mason) and staff are widely recognised by the profession around the world, particularly in Australia and the UK. This is indicated in Mr Mason being honoured with fellowships by the Parks and Leisure Institute in Australia and the Institute of Horticulture in the UK.

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

Compulsory core modules

The following FOUR modules are compulsory:  

• Biochemistry (Plants),
• Instructional Skills,
• Business Studies, and
• Workplace Health and Safety A.

Stream Core Modules

800 hours of study in compulsory modules (normally 8 x 100 hour modules) as follows:

• Horticultural Management,
• Horticultural Marketing,
• Botany I,Horticulture I,
• Horticulture II,
• Engineering I,
• Soil Management,
• Plant Protection.

Stream Elective Subjects

600 hours of study in modules (normally 6 X 100 hour modules), selected from the following:

• Turf Care,
• Arboriculture I,
• Landscaping I,
• Landscaping II,
• Landscape Construction,
• Advanced Propagation,
• Irrigation,
• Australian Native Plants I,
• Herb Culture,
• Orchid Culture,
• Roses.

Optional Electives

200 hours of study in modules (normally 2 X 100 hour modules), which can be chosen from any advanced diploma accredited modules, selected from stream electives not studied yet, or any module from other diplomas (except Recreation Administration & Management I, II & IV, Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management).

Students are required to attain a current Senior First Aid Certificate during the period of study.

WORKPLACE ORIENTED RESEARCH

Research Projects I & II 

Each module will deal with distinct aspects 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

OTHER OPTIONS

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 has always strived to make it's 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.
• Iain Harrison -Garden Manager Fibremakers, Garden Consultant, Lecturer Swinburn TAFE
• Adriana Fraser - Horticultural Consultant, TAFE Lecturer, Project Manager - Parks and Gardens, Horticultural writer. 
• 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)