What sets the Horticultural Therapy Institute apart from other programs?

At HTI student’s lives are changed and they in turn advance the lives of the people they serve. That adds up to a long reach across communities near and far. To achieve those positive transformations HTI offers professional preparation with quality, value and experience.

Quality

  • HTI consistently maintains high standards and a professional approach to HT education.
  • Students may earn course credit from Colorado State University, with a total of nine credits for the four courses.
  • AHTA (American Horticultural Therapy Association) has accredited the courses as a certificate program, positively evaluating content and instructor credentials.
  • Courses are offered in a face-to-face or online synchronous format to provide personalized and direct training.
  • The course of study prepares students to practice and manage programs with high standards.
  • The curriculum is highly regarded and internationally recognized.
  • Classes incorporate varied teaching/learning techniques to engage students in active learning.
  • Class assignments offer opportunities to apply knowledge to problem-solving and real-world HT program development.

Value

  • Students gain the skills to approach the field of HT professionally and are encouraged to seek credentials through professional registration.
  • The breadth of training includes emphasis on horticultural therapy skills that are applicable in clinical, community-based, vocational, and therapeutic horticulture programs.
  • Collegial atmosphere and peer support among students is encouraged and supported by both face-to-face and online format of classes.
  • Format allows students to attend classes from outside the region or country.
  • Based in Denver, CO, HTI also offers classes across the U.S. to allow access to a broader array of student needs and schedules.
  • Tuition costs are in alignment with a typical cost per credit at a public university in the U.S.

Experience

  • Instructors have years of experience in teaching, as well as practice.
  • Faculty and staff have been instrumental in writing and publishing the two most recent and comprehensive textbooks in the field.
  • Program longevity (offering courses since 2002) has allowed instructors to recognize and use techniques and content that are effective. The core faculty and staff also previously developed and implemented a pioneering series of HT courses at Denver Botanic Gardens in the late 1990s. Our depth of experience sets us apart.
  • HTI has maintained affiliation with Colorado State University throughout and CSU students join HTI students for the HT courses, with benefits to both sets of students.
  • HTI continues to lead in education and the profession of horticultural therapy.