Course Information
Therapeutic horticulture refers to the use of plants and nature-related activities to improve the physical and mental health of individuals. The benefits may be seen in their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. This is an advanced certificate programme for participants who wish to seek in-depth knowledge and applications of therapeutic horticulture in improving an individual’s health status and quality of life. This programme is conducted by international and local industry practitioners.
Learning Outcomes
This course seeks to impart proper training in horticulture, landscape and healthcare for the relevant professionals to be able to design and execute effective horticulture activities to promote low-intensity exercise, improve sensory & motor skills, stimulate memory, encourage positive social interactions and connection with nature. The desired outcome of this programme is to develop a professional group of healthcare professionals and program coordinators who are able to provide better support for patients with special needs and the ageing population in Singapore.
Course
Schedule
Course Date: TBC
Application Period: TBC
Duration: 12.5 days
Time: TBC
Delivery Mode: Classroom
Venue: TBC
Ngee Ann Polytechnic reserves the right to reschedule / cancel any programme, modify the fees and amend information without prior notice.
Lesson Plan
The Certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture programme comprises 15 topics developed from three main domains namely Plant Science, Human Science and Therapeutic Horticulture:
- Introduction to horticulture
- Plants selection and maintenance
- Pest and disease management
- Therapeutic garden design
- Common mental illnesses and difficulties faced
- Types of therapies available for specific clients and its benefits
- Overview and management of mental illness & stroke and recover expectations
- Occupational therapy perspectives for stroke and dementia clients
- Occupational therapy perspectives for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- The horticultural therapy framework
- Treatment plans and goals in therapeutic horticulture
- Activity selection process
- Working with clients
- Documentation
- Treatment session planning
Trainer's Profile
Elizabeth (Leah) Diehl, the key trainer of this programme, is the director of the Therapeutic Horticulture Program at Wilmot Gardens at the University of Florida. She is a licensed landscape architect, a master gardener and a registered horticultural therapist. She has bachelor’s degrees in both architecture and art history from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. She served as Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture for 15 years. She also works with the National Parks Board to bring therapeutic horticulture and therapeutic gardens to Singapore. Local experts in the areas of plant science, landscape design, mental health or occupational therapy will also be engaged to co-deliver the programme.
Certification
For courses with assessment, a Certificate of Performance will be awarded to participants who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass all required assessment(s).
A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who meet the 75% attendance requirement but did not pass all required assessment(s).
Entry Requirements
Preferred background of applicants:
- Healthcare professionals
- Social care professional
- Occupational therapist
- Therapist assistant
- Elderly care nurses
- Personal Care and program executives / coordinators
- Horticulturist
- Landscape professionals
- Landscape Architects
Care/ well-being coordinators or managers
Course Fees
SkillsFuture Credit
All Singaporeans aged 25 and above can use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit from the government to pay for a wide range of approved skills-related courses. Visit the SkillsFuture Credit website to choose from the courses available on the Training Exchange course directory.
Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
NTUC members enjoy 50% unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year (or up to $500 for NTUC members aged 40 years old and above) when you sign up for courses supported under UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme). Please visit e2i’s website to find out more.
Enhanced training support for SMEs
For enhanced training support for SMEs, enter SME in the promo code during course application.
Long Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) holders, please furnish the following documents to the course administrator to qualify for SSG funding:
Self-sponsored learner (**LTVP+): Copy of your green visit pass card, with the word ‘PLUS’ on the back of the card.
Co-sponsored learner (##LTVP+): Copy of valid and current Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM
GST Increment in 2024
Please note that the GST rate will be revised to 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024, as such any payable course fees will be subjected to the new GST rate adjustments in 2024.
Note:
- The fees below are determined based on prevailing funding policies and subject to review and revision.
- Please refer to our FAQs for more information.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic reserves the right to reschedule/cancel any programme, modify the fees and amend information without prior notice.
| Applicants / Eligibility | Fees |
|---|---|
| Full course fee | $3488.00 |
| Singaporeans aged below 40, Permanent Residents & **LTVP+ qualified for SkillsFuture Funding | $1046.40 |
| Singaporeans aged 40 & above qualified for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy | $406.40 |
| Singaporeans, Permanent Residents & ##LTVP+ qualified for Enhanced Training Support for SMEs | $406.40 |
| Others (and Repeat Students) | $3488.00 |