If you’re a young person (or someone transitioning your career) who is looking to enter the floral industry, you might be wondering if you should get a floristry degree.

While there are plenty of high-quality non-degree-track floral design education opportunities (like the online floral design classes from Team Flower!), for some, a formal academic program can be an excellent option. In this article, I’ll talk through the benefits of these kinds of programs as well as provide a helpful list of degree-track floristry degree programs I’ve found in the U.S.

Finding the Right Floral Design College Program

As a young college student just a few years into school and still searching for a passion, I stumbled across a unique and seemingly one-of-a-kind program at the University of Missouri. This program encompassed not only a comprehensive floral design classes that covered everything from shop design to wedding design, but they also engaged students further with a successful student-run floral business on campus.

I was quick to sign up for a class at the University of Missouri and become immersed in the opportunities presented to both traditional students and those who wanted to jump into the floral world later in life.

Over the years, through my experience competing against and working with different florists and students from across the nation, I discovered that this special program I was experiencing was not the only one of its kind. There are floral design programs across the states that can help those interested in the industry grow their skills. Sometimes, one can even get specific degrees in floristry or floriculture. Programs such as the one I signed up for can be found across the United States (and beyond!), and they can be an excellent way to dive into the floral design industry. 

What Do You Learn in formal Floral Design Education?

The classes vary by school, but many include an introductory class that teaches all of the basics—from how to tape a container and mechanical soundness to flower identification.

You may have an “everyday flowers” course that models a traditional shop setting, where you can learn a variety of designs that would be commonly sold at a retail florist. This kind of floral design class may also teach you how to master crucial techniques such as tying a proper bow and wirework.

Other specialty classes may include wedding flowers, special occasions floral design (funerals, events, and holiday arrangements), or retail floral management. Below, you'll find a list of the schools with active student chapters of AIFD, which denotes that students may take their education a step further and join the campus's Student American Institute of Floral Design (SAIFD) club. These clubs not only help students apply for their Certification of Floral Design (CFD) but can give extra hands-on learning opportunities.

Some clubs may include community classes for holidays and opportunities to compete in local design activities, and they may allow students to attend floral conferences and competitions in the neighboring states or even at the national level. These schools have fostered an amazing floral community that only helps you flourish and grow your skills without the high stakes of designing for paying customers. It is the perfect environment to learn and develop your floral design skills, and then go out into the community to work for a design team or as a freelancer.

Some of the alumni from the program at the University of Missouri went on to own and operate floral retail shops, freelance, work in the wholesale industry, start wedding businesses, work in the hospitality management industry, teach floral design at the high school level, and much more. While many people ask how to get into this industry, very few have considered the route of formal education or may not know about it at all. Hopefully, this article can shed light on the programs listed with the hope that at least one person—perhaps a young student like I was—will find a new path that leads to flowers. 

Floristry Degrees and Floral Design College Programs

While the certifications earned by students vary significantly from school to school, here is a list of some universities offering floral design programs. In this listing, you’ll see a variety of options: from four-year degrees and two-year degrees to certifications. These schools also all have active Student AIFD chapters.

While this list is by no means expansive and does not include many other great schools across the world, it is a great starting place for formal floral design training in the U.S.

• Cal Poly State University

  • San Louis Obispo, CA

  • B.S. or B.A. degree options and a separate floral design team

• City College of San Francisco

  • San Francisco, CA

  • A. S. degree in floral design and an Award of Achievement in Retail Floristry

• Gateway Technical College

  • Kenosha, WI

  • A. S. degree options and a Certificate in Professional Floral Design from the college

• Golden West College

  • Huntington Beach, CA

  • A. A. degree in floral design and shop management

  • Certificate options from the college: Floral Design and Shop Management Certificate Of Achievement, Floral Design Artisan Certificate of Specialization, or Floral Design Entrepreneur Certificate of Specialization

• Johnson Community College

  • Overland Park, KS

  • Certificate in floral design from the college

• Kishwaukee College

  • Malta, IL

  • A. A. S. degree in horticulture applied science or floral horticulture certificate from the college

• Mississippi State University

  • Mississippi State, MS

  • B. S. degree in floral management (three or four-year tracks available)

• New Mexico State University

  • Las Cruces, NM

  • Various degree options and a separate floral design team

• Ohio State University/ATI

  • Wooster, OH

  • A. A. degree in floral design and marketing

• Seneca College

  • Toronto, Ont., Canada

  • Certificate in Floral Design from the University

• Texas A&M University

  • College Station, TX

  • Benz School of Floral Design

  • Certificate of Principles of Floral Design from the University

• University of Missouri

  • Columbia, MO

  • Ability to test for CFD 

  • Certificate of Floral Design from the University (coming soon)

• Western Kentucky University

  • Bowling Green, KY

  • Minor in Floristry

Why Choose Formal Academic Floristry Education?

There are so many ways to become involved in the floral industry, and every individual seems to have a unique story.

Some of the reasons you might want to pick this route of formal floristry education include:

• Gaining a solid foundation on mechanics, color theory, elements and principles of design, and more

• Learning traditional techniques, such as using a floral knife and timeless design shapes

• Being alongside other students who have the same passion and learning with them

• Discovering floristry in a low-pressure and low-stress environment, as you are not designing for a client or a paycheck yet

• Possibility of learning floral design while also getting a degree in another area, such as hospitality management, business, horticulture, and more

• Building a solid support network through connections that your professor(s) have within the industry

• Linking to worldwide floral groups such as AIFD through your formal education

• Earning credentials or certifications to include behind your name

• Acquiring loads of experience and a portfolio that can help you land a great job 

So what are you waiting for? If you’re looking for a new way to dive into flowers and grow your career—or even start one from scratch—look into one of these excellent academic programs! Not only will you gain all of the basic skills that build the foundation for being a great florist, but you’ll also develop the confidence and unique techniques to conquer this industry.