Program Information
Learn more about the Sustainable Horticulture program.
Course Sequence
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Field of Interest
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Cannabis Cultivation program is designed to provide students with hands-on, science based skills to gain employment in businesses engaged in cannabis cultivation. The program focuses on basic plant anatomy, integrated pest management, indoor and greenhouse hydroponic growing techniques, hydroponic nutrients, harvesting and post-harvest handling, record keeping, and cannabis law.
Details
- Field of Interest
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Academic Plan Code
- 5280
- Total Credits Required
- 30
- Catalog Year
- 2026-2027
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Operate equipment safely, ethically, and in an environmentally responsible manner, while demonstrating professional behaviors that align with field norms and conventions.
- Discuss Federal and State regulations for growing and testing cannabis.
- Demonstrate an understanding of cannabis plant biology, photoperiods, plant physiology, propagation techniques, cultural practices, harvest and curing processes, and pest identification and control.
- Evaluate cannabis-specific hydroponic systems.
- Identify nutrient and fertigation requirements and the impact of nutrient disorders on successful plant growth.
- Analyze the effects of growing room environmental factors on shoot and root zone plant growth.
- Apply cannabis specific cultivation techniques including propagation, plant training, de-leafing, scouting, and nutrient management skills for successful plant growth.
- Cultivate crops based on principles of plant growth responses to particular soils, climate, sun exposure, water availability, nutrients, and pests.
- Design sustainable agricultural production systems.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGS100 | Safety and Standard Operating Procedures for Sustainable Horticulture | Gateway course | 1 | ||
| AGS164 | Plant Growth and Development | NSI, SQ | 4 | ||
| AGS182AA | Gardening Practices and Techniques | 3 | |||
| AGS262 | Irrigation Design, Installation, Operation, and Trouble Shooting | 3 | |||
| AGS268 | Integrated Pest Management in the Cultivated Environment | 4 | |||
| AGS285 | Propagation of Horticultural Plants | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGS217 | Introduction to Hydroponics and Greenhouse Management | 4 | |||
| AGS260 | Soils | NSI, SQ | 4 | ||
| AGS280 | Advanced Cannabis Cultivation | 4 |
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Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Sustainable Horticulture program.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
- NSI = Natural Sciences
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Official Curriculum Documentation
View Mesa Community College’s catalog page
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.
All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.