The Program

The five courses in this certificate provide a foundation for students interested in starting a career path in arboriculture or urban forestry. Arboriculture is caring for trees and shrubs on private and public property. Urban Forestry is managing public trees on a larger scale, typically in the governmental sector. There is a national demand to have more qualified aborists and urban foresters entering the workforce.

The certificate provides students with the principals of arboriculture, plant identification, soil science, pruning practices and community forestry that are essential skills in the industry. This certificate can provide continuing education for career professionals as well as serving as a gateway for new students eager to learn and enter the arboriculture and urban forestry fields.

The certificate can stand alone or serve as a stackable credential for students wanting to continue their education. All successful credits earned in this 15 credit certificate can be applied to either the A.S. in Arboriculture and Community Forest Management in Stockbridge or to the B.S. degree program in Natural Resources Conservation in the Department of Environmental Conservation. However, completing the certificate or any of the courses does not guarantee admission to the University or into any specific academic program. Students can apply to either of the degree programs using the Common Application. Although we would prefer students to begin the program in the Fall semester, it is not required and students may begin their studies in either semester or the summer. There are no GPA requirements to enroll in the certificate courses, and there are no prerequisites for the the certificate courses. Current UMass students and non-matriculating UWW students are eligible to complete this certificate. The recommended order of coursework is as follows:

Fall Semester
NRC 232 Principals of Arboriculture (3 credits)
STOCKSCH 106 Soil Science and Management (3 credits, also offered in summer semester)
SUSTCOMM 335 Plants in Landscape (4 credits)

Spring Semester
NRC 310 Community Forestry (3 credits)
NRC 235 Pruning for Beginners and Experts (2 credits)