Instructions for applying to the Certificate in Horticultural Therapy Program

These are the instructions for applying to the Certificate in Horticultural Therapy Program at the University of Florida - please read carefully before you apply. Some things to keep in mind:

• Tuition is $161.25/credit hour for Florida residents and $450/credit hour for non-Florida residents.
• There is a $29 fee for Packback, an online course learning tool, and the course textbook, used for all three courses, is approximately $45. There may be some additional fees associated with the university.
• Each course is 3 credit hours, and the full certificate is 12 credit hours.
• During the application process, you will need to upload a copy of your most current transcripts. This does not need to be an official copy. You will, however, need to submit an official copy to UF before the start of your second semester.
• Your application should be submitted at least 8 weeks before the start of the semester you would like to start to ensure it is processed in time.
• Please keep in mind that these are upper-level undergraduate courses and the expectations for engagement match that. As in other university courses, you should expect to spend 6-12 hours per week on this course.

If you are already a student at UF and would like to register for the first course, please contact Bree Stark at CHTinfo@ifas.ufl.edu for placement in the course.

If you are not a current UF student and applying to the program as a non-degree-seeking student, please follow the instructions below.

Non-degree students (not current UF students) must complete the UF application at Certificate Application.

1. On that page, click on the New Student Application link at the bottom of the page
2. On the next page click on ‘Apply Online’ and then create your new account. You will be asked to enter personal information to create your new account.
3. When asked, the certificate level is undergraduate; then choose College of Agricultural & Life Sciences (CALS) and click on Horticultural Therapy; then select the term you would like to start.
4. The next page will ask you for your education history, starting with high school. Read the information in the gray box carefully. The system will not let you progress without entering this information, including dates. **You can submit an unofficial copy to have your application processed – an official copy will not be needed until the end of your first semester of enrollment.
   ** UF Admissions prefers that you provide the most accurate education history, and if you list college/university/graduate work then those transcripts supersede the need for high school transcripts which are sometimes harder to come by.
5. After entering high school and college information, you will be asked about activities. You may leave this section blank.
6. On the Florida Residency Declaration, if you are a Florida resident you must upload documentation as proof, as indicated in the instructions. If you do not do this accurately your application will be delayed.
7. Once you have signed the signature page submitted the application fee payment and submitted your application, it will work its way through the system.
8. Check your email on file regularly to be aware of updates or requests for more info.
   **There are often holds placed on your account that can keep your application from progressing, so it is important that you check your account regularly; sometimes it is as simple as signing a form.

You will be notified when your application has been accepted so that you can confirm that you would like to be placed in the first course, PLS 3080 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy. You will receive an invoice for the first course after you have been placed into the course itself. If your application is accepted after the Intro course is full, you will have the option to defer your application to the next time the course is offered.

Thanks for your interest in our program! Need help? Email us at CHTinfo@ifas.ufl.edu.