The Horticulture curriculum is designed to facilitate education and training of students for the Landscape and Turf Industry. Students may also choose to enter into occupations in the Greenhouse and Floriculture Industry.
The Horticulture program at Illinois Central College offers a Horticulture-Landscape Management Associate in Applied Science Degree and Horticulture-Turfgrass Management Associate in Applied Science Degree along with the Horticulture-Landscaping Certificate and Horticulture-Turfgrass Operations Certificate. Students may attend full-time or part-time. Graduates of the program enter directly into the Horticulture industry or transfer to a four-year university to continue studies.
Students learn basic theory in the classroom and apply that theory in outdoor laboratories. The program has a variety of outdoor facilities and equipment to support student learning in these "hands-on" labs. Students in laboratories learn and practice production, construction, and maintenance of plants and features in the campus horticultural facilities.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities at ICC besides going to classes. The Horticulture Club sponsors a variety of trips and social functions each year. Students may participate in the Illinois Nurserymen's Association Apprenticeship Program, the Pro-Hort Seminars, and the National Association of Landscape Professional's (NALP) National Collegiate Landscape Competition held each spring. In addition, students assist in hosting the College's Landscape & Garden Day held each fall at the East Peoria Horticulture Land Lab.