Master Gardener™ Online - FAQs
- What is the time commitment required for the course? [Answer]
- Is Master Gardener Online available to out-of-state students? [Answer]
- Which Oregon county Extension offices have opportunities for the required Master Gardener volunteer practicum? [Answer]
- Would I be able to complete Option 1 and then "upgrade" to a Master Gardener badge once I have time to complete the volunteer practicum? [Answer]
- What if I have been certified as a Master Gardener in another state and now live in Oregon? [Answer]
- Will there ever be a version of this online course available as a review, refresher and recertification for current OSU Master Gardeners? [Answer]
- Where do I find information about the traditional on-site OSU Master Gardener program? [Answer]
- What are the minimum requirements to pass the Option 1 (No-Volunteer) course and receive a certificate of home horticulture? [Answer]
Q&As
Q1. What is the time commitment required for the course?
A1. The online Master Gardener basic training course is a 12-week long course with one module lesson per week.
Option 1: Online course only is offered each September. There is no lesson during the week of Thanksgiving. Option 1 is also available each January.
For each weekly module lesson, students should budget one to two hours to view lectures, one hour for readings and one to three hours for assignments and quizzes. We suggest that those who are completely unfamiliar with gardening or basic biology should budget a little more time.
Those who participate in Option 2: Online course and volunteering, offered each January, will have to allow for additional time required to complete the volunteer experience coordinated through your local Extension office.
Q2. Is Master Gardener Online available to out-of-state students?
A2. Yes, the online Master Gardener basic training course is available to out-of-state students. However, because out-of-state participants would not be able to complete the required Master Gardener volunteer practicum within the state of Oregon, they would want to explore Option 1: Online course only where students can earn a Certificate of Home Horticulture. With this option, you receive the same in-class training as Option 2: Online course and volunteering participants.
If there is a Master Gardener program in your home state or region, you may want to contact your local Master Gardener Coordinator to see if they would accept your online training through OSU as credit towards earning your Master Gardener badge. However, this would completely depend on the discretion of your local Master Gardener Coordinator and/or Statewide Coordinator.
Q3. Which Oregon county Extension offices have opportunities for the required Master Gardener volunteer practicum?
A3. To become a certified OSU Master Gardener, you would need to complete the Master Gardener Online Option 2: Online course and volunteering, which starts again in January. This option requires on-site volunteer practicum coordinated at an Oregon county Extension office that offers a Master Gardener program. The following counties are accepting students for the January offering of Option 2 OSU Master Gardener online:
- Benton (not available for winter 2012)
- Clackamas
- Clatsop
- Columbia
- Coos
- Crook
- Curry
- Deschutes
- Douglas
- Grant
- Hood River
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Josephine
- Klamath
- Lane
- Lincoln
- Linn (not available for winter 2012)
- Marion
- Multnomah
- Tillamook
- Umatilla
- Union
- Wallowa
- Wasco
- Washington
- Yamhill
Visit the list of local county Extension offices that have a Master Gardener program for contact information.
Like out-of-state participants, those who live in the following counties would want to explore Option 1: Online course only, because these counties do not currently offer a Master Gardener program and volunteer practicum opportunities:
- Harney
- Lake
- Malheur
- Sherman
- Wheeler
Feel free to Contact Us if you have questions. You can also contact your local county Extension office if you have specific questions regarding the on-site Master Gardener volunteer practicum.
Q4. Would I be able to complete Option 1 and then "upgrade" to a Master Gardener badge once I have time to complete the volunteer practicum?
A4. This is handled in a case-by-case manner. If you complete Option 1: Online course only, you will receive a Certificate of Home Horticulture.
If you would like to complete Option 2: Online course and volunteering to become an OSU Master Gardener, but find you currently don't have time for the volunteer hours, contact your local county Extension office to see if they will be able to accommodate your schedule. You might want to consider enrolling for Option 2 and then working out the volunteer practicum with your local county Extension agent or Master Gardener program coordinator. It is generally at the discretion of your local agent or coordinator.
Q5. What if I have been certified as a Master Gardener in another state and now live in Oregon?
A5. This is usually handled in a case-by-case manner. Please contact your local county Extension office to see what they require for certification in Oregon, and if the Master Gardener Online basic training course can be applied to your re-training.
Q6. Will there ever be a version of this online course available as a review, refresher and recertification for current OSU Master Gardeners?
A6. Potentially, in the future, the Master Gardener online course might be available for recertification for current Master Gardeners, which includes both review and advanced trainings. However, there is no online option available for this at this time. Currently, this is handled by individual counties. Visit the main Master Gardener™ Training and Recertification page to find the county Extension office closest to you. Please fill out our Information Request Form to join our mailing list to receive updates on the Master Gardener online.
Q7. Where do I find information about the traditional on-site OSU Master Gardener program?
A7. Visit the main OSU Master Gardener site for information about the traditional OSU Master Gardener program.
Contact your local county Extension office to find out when applications are being accepted for the next on-site Master Gardener training in your area. Typically, on-site Master Gardener training at county Extension offices begins in January of each year. Applications are accepted and reviewed in the fall of each year.
Q8. What are the minimum requirements to pass the Option 1 (No-Volunteer) course and receive a certificate of home horticulture?
A8. To pass the course, and receive your certificate of home horticulture, you must earn a 70% or greater on a comprehensive final exam. Most students find that they can earn this score, simply by keeping up with the course content, and not falling behind in lectures, assignments and quizzes.
