The Horticulture program at LWTech operates under a cohort model. This means students follow the same classmates and instructor through the entire program. Classes are taught four days a week in 6-hour time blocks from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Taking an individual class can be difficult because most classes don't have a set start or end date. The only class that is offered separate from the program is Plant Identification. To learn more, email us or call (425) 739-8279.
The Environmental Horticulture program operates under a cohort model of education, which results in a tight-knit network of horticulturists upon graduation. Another major difference relates to LWTech's original mandate as a technical college. Although we are a member of the community college system, the educational style is still oriented towards a technical education. Classes include a significant hands-on component. Many classes include field trips, guest speakers and practical experiences. Once-in-a-lifetime program experiences include a student-run plant sale, green industry work experiences and intensive involvement in the annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show.
There are no admission requirements for this program. All you need to do is apply! Many of the classes do, however, have prerequisites (ABED 046 and MATH 070, or equivalent placement scores). Prerequisites may be fulfilled by submitting transcripts from another institution, taking classes or taking the Guided Self-Placement test. To get started, contact the instructors at (425) 739-8279 to ask questions or schedule a visit to tour the facilities.
The program has an open enrollment policy, which means that you can enroll for the start of any quarter. The program runs year-round, giving you four starting points per year!
You will find tuition information on the Tuition & Fees page.
You will find scholarship information on the Scholarships page.
Knowledgeable horticulturists are in high demand. Jobs and careers obtained after graduation vary widely, often depending upon what skills the student brings with them to the program. Your horticultural education may be combined with other skills to obtain careers in the nursery or landscaping industry. Typical jobs include landscape installation and maintenance, estate gardening, arboriculture, nursery sales, golf course maintenance, turf grass technician, horticultural products sales representation, administrative positions within green industry companies and much more. According to the Washington Occupational Information System (WOIS), gardeners and groundskeepers in the Pacific Northwest region average $14.60 to $20.90 per hour. Our job board features current openings for employment.
We have a broad spectrum and diverse range of students. Some of the people you will meet here are career changers, worker retraining students, stay-at-home-parents, general interest gardeners and retirees. It is difficult to put a label on our students as they come from all walks of life, education and experience backgrounds.
Business Hours
Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campus Hours
Mon-Thurs, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Closed to the public
Sat-Sun, Closed