If you enjoy working with flowers and want to enter the floristry industry, then you might consider earning a certificate in floral design.
Online floral design schools provide formal training on the technique and art of designing floral arrangements. Many programs cover fundamental business practices as well.
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Earning a certificate in this craft could show prospective employers or clients that you are knowledgeable about flowers and have studied how to create floral arrangements for different types of events.
Universities Offering Online Certificates in Floral Design Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer programs online or in a hybrid format.
City College of San Francisco
The City College of San Francisco offers 3 certificate of achievement programs in floral design online. Oriental Floral Design requires 17 units, Retail Floristry requires 32 units, and Floral and Special Events Coordinator requires 32.5 units. Potential courses include Intermediate Floral Design, Advanced Floral Design, and Interior Plant Identification.
City College of San Francisco is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Gateway Technical College
Gateway Technical College offers a 2 semester certificate in Professional Floral Design program. Lessons may be delivered in-person, through video conferencing, or online. The program requires 12 credits of coursework, including Floral Design, Horticulture Marketing, Horticulture Events, and Floristry. Credits may later be applied toward an associate’s degree in horticulture or other continuing education programs.
Gateway Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University offers an online program for a certificate in Fundamentals of Floral Design. Courses are typically self-paced and usually available through open enrollment. Lessons aim to teach how to create corsages, centerpieces, and bridal bouquets. The program is often completed within 6 months, after which participation in local internships may be available.
Georgia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University offers a Professional Florist Certificate Program. Coursework can usually be completed online, but there are hands-on workshops that require in-person attendance in Biloxi. The program is divided into 4 levels that are designed to be completed sequentially. A professional portfolio of completed work is a focus of the program.
Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of Missouri – Columbia
The University of Missouri–Columbia offers an undergraduate certificate in Floral Artistry and Management program online. The program requires the completion of 14 credit hours of coursework, such as Introduction to Floral Design, Everyday Floral Design, Special Occasion Floral Design, Wedding Floral Design, and Retail Floral Management.
The University of Missouri – Columbia is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Online Certificate in Floral Design Programs
Online certificate programs in floral design are meant to teach you how to work with fresh-cut flowers and florist tools to create beautiful floral arrangements.
Prospective students looking to apply for floral design programs typically want to work in the floristry industry as a floral designer. The various courses in these programs could help you learn foundational skills on different aspects of floral arrangement design and creation.
Many of the classes focus on practical learning, working with flowers to create memorable arrangements for different occasions. Some classes will also focus on the business side of being a florist.
Some of the subjects you may encounter in one of these certificate programs include:
- Design theory
- Floral design
- Funeral flowers
- Wedding flowers
Earning a certificate in floral design may help you qualify for professional credentials, such as floral design certification, as well as more senior roles in the field.
Many floral designers work for traditional florists. They often sell flowers directly from the storefront, but they may also create specialized arrangements and deliver them where needed. These professionals may also work in the florist section of a larger establishment, such as a grocery store.
Some floral designers are self-employed. They may open their own stores or specialize in floral arrangements for special events, such as weddings.
Floral Design Careers & Salaries
Most students who pursue a floral design certificate want to enter the floristry industry. Floral designers may operate their own flower shops, or they might work as independent contractors who book clients and arrange floral arrangements on an event-by-event basis.
Others are employed in florist shops or florist departments in grocery stores. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries for careers in floral design or related fields.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Craft and Fine Artists | $49,960 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $49,470 |
| Floral Designers — Other Personal Services | $45,760 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $34,424 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $32,060 |
| Floral Designers — Food and Beverage Stores | $30,350 |
| Floral Designers — Wholesale Trade | $30,020 |
| Floral Designers — Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores | $29,720 |
| Floral Designers — Florists | $29,700 |
| Funeral Attendants | $29,230 |
There are other careers and employment opportunities that you may be able to obtain after attending a floral design certificate program. For example, you might use your floral design skills as a craft or fine artist.
Another possible employment opportunity is that of a landscaping or ground maintenance worker, helping clients design or maintain their gardens. A floral design certificate could also be beneficial for event planners who want to expand their client services.
Floral Design Certificate Curriculum & Courses
Each floral design program has its own unique curriculum and courses for its students. There are similarities, though, between the classes you may take.
Here are some examples of courses you may find in a floral design certificate program:
- Introduction to Floral Design: This class introduces you to the basics of floral designing and the basics of flowers.
- Intermediate Floral Design: Building on the foundations of floral design, this class looks at creating larger arrangements with more complex designs.
- Advanced Floral Design: This class utilizes the skills and techniques learned in other floral design classes to create innovative floral designs and to use software to do so.
- Elements of Design: This class looks at elements of design, such as rhythm, color, and scale, and how these elements can be applied to creating floral arrangements.
- Funeral Flowers: This class looks specifically at the creation of arrangements for funerals and other sympathy work, one of the largest parts of the floristry industry.
- Wedding Basics: This class introduces you to the basic concepts of creating floral arrangements for weddings.
- Holiday Flowers: This class instructs you on how to create holiday flower arrangements.
- Hand-Tied Bouquets: This class looks at different types of hand-tied bouquets for different events, including weddings and proms.
- Vase Arrangements: This class teaches you how to create floral vase arrangements in different styles.
- Floristry Business Practices: This class instructs you on the nuance of running a flower design business, including basic management and accounting skills.
The webpages of individual programs often include detailed information on their specific course and program requirements.
Admissions Requirements
While each college and university will set its own admissions requirements, they may have similar criteria for undergraduate certificate programs.
Common admissions requirements include:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Official school transcripts from high school and any college classes
- Online application and potential application fee
- Statement of purpose describing your personal interests and career aspirations
It’s beneficial to verify the unique admissions criteria of each prospective school. You can also reach out to a school’s admissions office with any questions about their application process.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process whereby an outside accrediting agency ensures that a college is providing its students with a high-quality education.
These agencies review a school’s practices, faculty, and services and also gauge their educational effectiveness. Attending an accredited school is often an eligibility requirement for receiving financial aid. Completing your formal training at an accredited school could also be beneficial if you want to pursue industry certification.
To see if the online vocational schools you are applying to are accredited by credible organizations, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many sources of financial aid that may be available to you if you choose to earn a certificate in floral design.
Federal financial aid is the most common form of student aid, and it can be distributed in both loans and grants. To see if you are eligible for this type of aid, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website. States may have their own aid programs available to students who qualify.
You might also be eligible for various scholarship opportunities. You can explore opportunities through your school as well as outside organizations. If you are currently working, your employer may provide tuition benefits as well.
What Is a Floral Design Certificate?
A floral design certificate is an academic program that teaches undergraduate students how to enter the floristry industry. In this type of program, your education is focused on learning the techniques, science, and theory behind being a florist.
For example, your courses will teach you how to create floral arrangements for different occasions. You will also study general design and artistic concepts that are necessary for creating floral arrangements. Formal training in floral design might also help you qualify for industry certification or more senior roles in the field.
What Can You Do with a Certificate in Floristry?
Online floral design schools include formal training in artistic design as well as business fundamentals. Many graduates with a certificate in floristry work as floral designers. These professionals work to create beautiful and sometimes symbolic floral arrangements for clients.
Floral designers can be found in a number of work settings. Some work in individual flower shops, while others work in a florist section of a larger grocery store. Those with formal training may even open up their own flower shop. Some florists work as entrepreneurs and market their services only for special events, such as weddings, funerals, and charity events.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Floral Certificate Online?
The time it takes to complete a floral design certificate depends on which school and program you attend. In general, there are similarities between program timelines. Students in these types of certificate programs can typically expect to take around 9 months to complete the program. This timeline is based on certificate programs that require the completion of 11 courses.
Different programs, of course, may require a different number of classes. Many programs allow you to go at your own pace. The more flexible you want your schedule to be, the longer it may take to complete your program.
What’s the Difference Between a Floral Designer vs. Florist?
Though they can have similar skill sets, here are some of the key differences between floral designers and florists.
| Floral Designer | Florist |
|
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Some people and businesses use these terms interchangeably, but it’s helpful to know the nuances between these two roles.
Is a Certificate in Floral Design Worth It?
Yes, a certificate in floral design is worth it for many students. Earning a certificate in this trade may help you stand out when applying for floral design jobs, as your formal training could demonstrate your competency and skills to employers.
The business fundamentals covered in many florist certificate programs could also benefit those who plan to start their own business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for arts and design occupations is expected to grow by 2% over the next ten years. During this same period, floral designers in particular are expected to see around 3,800 job openings each year.
Getting Your Certificate in Floral Design Online
If you are interested in how to become a floral designer, a floral design certificate program could help you develop foundational knowledge and skill sets essential to the trade.
Online schools for floral design could help you learn the intricacies of designing unique and memorable floral arrangements for many occasions. Receiving this type of formal training could help you prepare to enter the floral design industry, and it may also help you work toward professional certification.
Accredited schools that offer floral design certificate programs online can have varying coursework and requirements. You can start exploring available program options today to find the ones that best match your interests.
