Diploma (Advanced) in Horticulture - Parks & Recreation

“This course stands above the rest when it comes to management skills – you will have the confidence to manage parks and gardens (as well as staff) upon completion of this course. It enables you to develop and apply informed decisions rather then to just follow orders. In the future the demand for Parks and Gardens experts at management level will increase; be amongst those that are ready to take up the challenge.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert IV Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort, ACS Tutor.

TRAINING FOR:

Successful completion of this course may assist the student to gain employment in the following fields: Parks Superintendent, Head Ranger, Parks Manager, Technical Officer, Park Interpretation Officer, Recreation Facility Manager, Vocational Trainer.

RECOGNITION:

ACS has outstanding credentials, This is also accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Requirements:

2,600 hours minimum nominal duration, including:

2,050 hours approximately of off-campus correspondence study

150 hours minimum of on-campus workshop

100 hours minimum of off-campus industry conference/seminars/meetings

300 hours minimum of off-campus workplace project(s)

Being a self paced learning program, the student can study at a rate according to their ability and capabilities.

This course may be studied over 3 years or less on a full time basis, or up to 8 years on a part time basis.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

There are no academic pre-requisites for this course but it is expected that successful

applicants have achieved an educational level that will enable the completion of the course objectives. 

Entry to this course is based on:

a person with 5 years industry experience;

year 12 standard of education;

mature age student.

Exemptions

Exemptions on past studies at diploma or higher levels may be granted (to cover no more than 33% of the entire course). A formal submission of Recognition of Prior Learning may be made, to achieve exemptions based on formal studies and experience (RPL forms are available on request).

COURSE CONTENT

a/ Compulsory core modules

The following FIVE modules are compulsory: Biochemistry (Plants), Computer Studies, Instructional Skills, Business Studies, and Workplace Health and Safety.

b/ Stream Core Modules

800 hours of study in compulsory modules (normally 8 x 100 hour modules) including:

Recreation Administration & Management I, Recreation Administration & Management II, Recreation Administration & Management III, Horticulture I, Arboriculture I, Turf Care, Irrigation, Park & Playground Design I.

c/ Stream Elective Subjects

600 hours of study in modules (normally 6 X 100 hour modules), selected from the following:

Landscaping I, Landscaping II, Facility Management I, Facility Management II, Recreation Administration & Management IV, Plant Protection, Engineering I, Soil Management, Irrigation Management, Event Management, Horticulture II.

d/ Optional Electives

200 hours of study in modules (normally 2 X 100 hour modules), which can be chosen from any advanced diploma accredited modules, selected from stream electives not studied yet (electives must be approved by academic staff at the school).

* Students are to attain a Senior First Aid Certificate during the course of study.

WORKPLACE ORIENTED RESEARCH

Three Research projects must be undertaken to satisfy the 300 hour nominal duration. Well organised study guides have been developed for Research Project I, II & III to work through in order to satisfy this part of the course.

Each project will deal with a distinct aspect of workplace activity, and culminate in a written formal report of a length appropriate to the nature of the project.

Each project will deal with a distinct aspect of workplace activity, and culminate in a written formal report of a length appropriate to the nature of the project.

WORKSHOPS

Curriculum documents have been developeed as a guide to 150 hours of learning through either face to face workshops or equivalent on the job learning. This documentation can be supplied to students living anywhere in the world so they  may work with either an ACS tutor, or a similarly qualified professional in their own workplace, or locality, in order to achieve this requirement. This part of the course is often left till near the end.

INDUSTRY CONFERENCE/SEMINARS/MEETINGS

You must attend 100 hours (minimum) of industry seminars within the period of the course. These may include such things as industry conferences or seminars, or professional society meetings.

COURSE STRUCTURE SUMMARY