TH2: Program Development is the second in a four-course series of online courses that form the Certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture, offered in partnership with NC Extension Therapeutic Horticulture and the NC Botanical Garden Therapeutic Horticulture Program. Important: Students must have completed TH1: Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture in order to enter TH2: Program Development.
This six-week online course equips students with the skills to design therapeutic horticulture treatment interventions for a wide variety of sites and participant populations. Students will learn to perform foundational participant and site assessments that inform the subsequent stages of a therapeutic horticulture program's development and management. The course explores using client-centered assessment data for ease in selecting activities that help move participants groups toward their goals.
Students will practice developing overarching program and group treatment goals that target specific desired outcomes. Using dynamic interactive forums with real-world examples, they research, discuss, and reflect on multiple facets of TH program development, and are provided with numerous references and resources for further study.
The course structure supports vibrant engagement via discussion threads and assignment feedback from highly qualified and experienced instructors as well as peers, and provides a unique opportunity to research, discuss, and reflect on people-plant relationships throughout the course. Fully online, new material releases each week, and students can proceed weekly at their own pace to view instructional videos, complete activities and assignments, and explore the readings and other resources relevant to the week's topics.
TH2 topics include:
- Assessing Developed and Undeveloped Sites
- Participant Assessment
- Establishing Treatment Goals
- TH Activity Planning
- Organizing Your Activities and Your Practice
- Assessing Your Own Skills
TH2 is offered at $450, with Early Bird, Extension Master Gardeners, Extension professionals, JC Raulston Arboretum members, and NC Botanical Garden member discounts available. Information on registration for upcoming courses is available at TH2: Program Development. TH2 is offered once per year.
For questions or more information, email therapeutic-hort@ncsu.edu.
