The Undergraduate Certificate in Horticultural Therapy is offered by the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida (UF) and is open to UF students as well as non-degree seeking students. The first three courses, PLS 3080, PLS 4081, and PLS 4082, are fully online.
Completion of the certificate will enable students to apply principles associated with the use of horticulture to increase human health and wellbeing. Students will explore the human dimensions of horticulture and its use as a vehicle for increased quality of life. They will gain knowledge in treatment assessments, plans, and methods, as well as activity analysis and adaptation and how they apply to special populations and varied settings. Documentation, funding, and staff, volunteer, and program management will be examined, as will the use of plants, gardens, and greenhouses in therapeutic programming. This program prepares students to develop activities, treatment plans, and programs using plants to achieve therapeutic outcomes in diverse public and private settings.
The curriculum is accredited by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) and fulfills AHTA’s requirements for the 9 credit hours in horticultural therapy toward professional registration as a horticultural therapist.
Certificate Requirements: Twelve credits (four courses at 3 credits each) that consist of the courses below. Students are required to take the first three courses and then may choose between the work experience course or the independent study course as their fourth course. Students must maintain a C or better in each course to earn the certificate.
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PLS 3080 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy
Usually offered in spring and fall semesters
Credits: 3
Instructor:
Elizabeth Diehl, HTM, RLA
leahdiehl@ufl.edu
(352) 294-5003
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00-3:00pm, Thursday 12:00-1:00pm, or by appointment: Wilmot Gardens Greenhouse, 1427 Gale Lemerand Dr.
Course Description:
This course describes the profession and practice of horticultural therapy including its history, current state, and relevant literature and theories. The course will explore people-plant relationships, therapeutic methods and benefits, and populations served. Students will also be introduced to existing programs and the role of therapeutic gardens.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course students will be able to:
- Describe the history, development, and current status of horticultural therapy
- Characterize the many ways plants and nature impact human life and the theories underlying their therapeutic bases
- Contrast the different therapeutic models used in the profession and analyze cognitive, physical, and psychosocial benefits
- Summarize research relevant to horticultural therapy and therapeutic environments
- Compare relevant tools in assessing needs of the participant, program, and facility served
- List the special characteristics of populations served and relate them to treatment plans and goals
- Describe the use of gardens in horticultural therapy and their special design characteristics
Required Prerequisite:
Sophomore standing or permission from the department.
Fall 2020 syllabus PLS3080
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PLS 4081 Techniques in Horticultural Therapy
Offered in the spring semester and sometimes summer C semester
Credits: 3
Instructor:
Elizabeth Diehl, HTM, RLA
leahdiehl@ufl.edu
(352) 294-5003
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00-3:00pm, Thursday 12:00-1:00pm, or by appointment: Wilmot Gardens Greenhouse, 1427 Gale Lemerand Dr.
Course Description:
This course examines the effectiveness of horticultural therapy across a diverse range of client populations, programs, and environments, describing the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial implications. Therapeutic, vocational, and social modalities employing plants will be explored, as well as task analysis, activity analysis and tool and site adaptations.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course students will be able to:
- Compare the array of treatment modalities and methods in horticultural therapy settings and apply methods to assess therapeutic outcomes and benefits
- Characterize treatment plans, goals and objectives, treatment analysis, and related documentation
- List the distinct characteristics and therapeutic needs of diverse populations served in horticultural therapy programming, including unique adaptations
- Describe the importance of plant selection and horticulture techniques in designing individual and group activities and treatment plans
- Describe adaptive gardening strategies, plant selection criteria, and safety consideration for both indoor and outdoor settings
- Demonstrate basic horticulture knowledge common to horticultural therapy settings
Required Prerequisite Course:
PLS 3080 - Introduction to Horticultural Therapy
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PLS 4082 Program Management in Horticultural Therapy
Offered in the fall semester
Credits: 3
Instructor:
Elizabeth Diehl, HTM, RLA
leahdiehl@ufl.edu
(352) 294-5003
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00-3:00pm, Thursday 12:00-1:00pm, or by appointment: Wilmot Gardens Greenhouse, 1427 Gale Lemerand Dr.
Course Description:
This course prepares students to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate horticultural therapy programs in diverse environments. Strategies for program proposals and funding will be explored, as well the recruitment of clients and the regulations and documentation required. Staff, volunteer, and student recruitment and management will be discussed, as will the management of plant materials, gardens, and other program resources.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course successfully, students will be able to:
- Formulate a horticultural therapy program, including mission/vision, funding, marketing, and recruitment
- Describe the influence of staff/volunteers on program success and the importance of their training and management
- Explain the management of the program and its facility, inventory, budget, and maintenance
- Discuss the growth and maintenance of plant materials on-site, including management of pests and diseases
- Summarize relevant facility regulations and record-keeping, including HIPPA, IRB, and other documentation requirements as well as safety issues related to program environment
- Articulate how a horticultural therapist integrates with other healthcare delivery specialists and teams
Required Prerequisite Course:
PLS 3080 - Introduction to Horticultural Therapy
PLS 4081 – Techniques in Horticultural Therapy
Fall 2020 Syllabus PLS4082
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ORH 4905 Independent Study in Horticultural Therapy
Offered every semester
Credits: 1-3
Environmental Horticulture Department
Instructors:
Elizabeth (Leah) Diehl, HTM, RLA
leahdiehl@ufl.edu or via Canvas email
(352) 294-5003
Office Hours by appointment at the greenhouse, via phone, or online.
Course Description:
This course allows students to complete a supervised project in a specific area of interest to supplement the horticultural therapy curriculum. The project primarily requires independent study but also includes supervision from a faculty member or other professional who has expertise in the field and availability in their teaching schedule; its purpose is to meet individual student needs by providing an opportunity to study subject matter that is not covered in any regularly offered courses.
The practicum, or independent study, connects ‘theory’ and ‘practice.’ By conducting a practicum project, you demonstrate the ability to apply concepts and ideas from your study of horticultural therapy to a specific demographic population or environmental or institutional setting. The practicum project will focus on an important aspect of HT that is of interest to you.
As the name implies, an independent study puts much of the responsibility for learning on the student’s shoulders. Don’t wait around for your advisor or other mentors you might include to tell you what to do. Do seek advice, though. If you find yourself lost in the material or at a loss for how to proceed, don’t be afraid to say so.
General Course Activities:
▪ Create a project description
▪ Write a goal statement
▪ List course learning objectives
▪ Develop an initial bibliography
▪ Develop a timetable and plan
▪ Describe the learning documents you will provide
▪ Execute project deliverablesSyllabus ORH 4905
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PLS 4941 Practical Work Experience in Horticultural Therapy
Offered every semester
Credits: 1-3
Environmental Horticulture Department
Instructor:
Elizabeth (Leah) Diehl, HTM, RLA
leahdiehl@ufl.edu or via Canvas email
(352) 294-5003
Office Hours by appointment at the greenhouse, via phone, or online.
Course Description:
In this course students will work in a supervised setting for a program that uses plants for the wellbeing and/or advancement of special participant groups. While each student in the course will likely be interning at different programs and sites, students in the course will connect asynchronously through Canvas to discuss and reflect upon their internship experiences. During the internship experience students will complete a project related to their work that will help deepen engagement and learning as well as help the student’s clients and/or program facility.
As stated by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, an internship is:
a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
If you plan to use these internship hours toward the American Horticultural Therapy Association internship requirements, you must consult with the faculty advisor several months ahead of time to ensure you have an AHTA-approved internship supervisor and are prepared for their particular requirements. See the AHTA Professional Registration Policies & Procedures for more information.
General Course Activities:
▪ Internship Intro
▪ Internship Goals
▪ Internship Project
▪ Project Promotion
▪ Lessons Learned & Internship ReflectionSyllabus PLS 4941