AHS LifeLong Learning Certificates
AHS Lifelong Learning Certificates are designed for learners seeking to master horticultural knowledge and skills and apply them for a greater good. Participants may pursue a certificate for their own enjoyment or to support their professional enrichment.
The certificate is a culmination of self-paced study, live programs, and community service. Completion of an AHS Lifelong Learning Certificate demonstrates a high level of horticultural understanding and dedication.
AHS offers a Certificate in Horticulture & the Environment and a Certificate in Horticultural Design & Techniques. The flexible framework is designed for each participant to select learning opportunities of greatest interest. The certificate requirements can be completed within a few months; however, there is no time limit for a participant to complete the requirements. The requirements for an AHS Lifelong Learning Certificate are below.
REQUIREMENTS:
Foundations
Two AHS self-paced online courses
Gardening in America, and either Ecological Gardening or Horticultural Design & Techniques.
Self-Paced Online Courses taken from spring 2024 onward may be applied toward a certificate; those taken from fall 2025 onward must receive a badge of completion to be counted toward the certificate. The Horticultural Design & Techniques online course will debut in spring 2026.
Specialty Area
Five AHS Live programs of your choice from either the Horticulture & the Environment Series or the Garden Design & Techniques Series.
Learners may count AHS Live programs held from fall 2025 onward toward a certificate.
Cross-Discipline Enrichment
Three AHS Live programs of your choice, one from each of the three series outside your specialty area.
For example, if you are pursuing the Certificate in Horticulture & the Environment, you must take one program each in the Garden Design & Techniques Series; the Plants, Culture, & Community Series; and Garden Tours Series.
Learners may count AHS Live programs held from fall 2025 onward toward a certificate. If an AHS Garden Tour is not available in your area, we will accept a comparable program attendance.
Community Connection
Fifteen hours of Community Service in your local area, either gardening or supporting gardening.
Community Connection examples include volunteering at a public garden, dedicating time to a nonprofit that supports community gardens, working with your city to plant trees or remove invasive plants, etc.
AHS provides a Certificate in Horticulture & the Environment downloadable template and a Certificate in Horticultural Design & Techniques downloadable template so that participants can track their progress. Please fill in the names of the specific programs taken and their dates. For your community connection requirement, please note the nature of the project and the dates of volunteering and get the signature of the project head.
Once you have completed the requirements, you will register here for a nominal fee to have your transcript reviewed and a certificate administered. After you have registered, email programs@ahsgardening.org with the subject line “Certificate Applicant” and your transcript attached.