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Professional Florist Certificate Program

A Structured Learning Program in Professional Floristry

Master Floral Design logo.

 

 

 

 

The MSU Extension Professional Florist (PF) program contains multiple courses and certificate programs designed to help people gain knowledge and skill in creating floral products sold for a profit. You can enroll in a single course, or you can follow curriculum tracks to attain certifications. These courses have been peer-reviewed by some of the best floristry and floriculture faculty from higher education institutions in the U.S. We use a combination of online and in-person learning to deliver research-based, best practices information so that participants can accomplish them in steps that work with their schedules. We provide learners with the foundations to build understanding and skills needed in today’s marketplace.

Our courses are recommended for those who want to sell floral designs and related products for income. It is open to anyone 18 years and older and you do not have to be a Mississippi resident to participate. While our consumer-oriented Master Floral Designer program was created for floral enthusiasts to attain knowledge and skills in floral design, the Professional Florist courses focus on retailing floral products. Mississippi State University and MSU Extension are nationwide leaders in floristry education.

How It Works

You can select from individual courses to entire certificate programs to meet your educational needs. Choose those that are best for your goals.

All Courses

Level I (100% online)

Becoming a Professional Floral Designer

Care and Handling of Cut Flowers

Design Principles, Creating Beauty in Design

Design Elements, the Ingredients of Design

Basic Floral Design Mechanics

Level II (in person, Biloxi)

This level consists of a four-day, hands on workshop in the foundations of floral design at our Biloxi floral studio. Students will create flowers to wear and carry and create multiple tabletop floral designs using a variety of mechanics and materials. They will learn how to use all postharvest products, floristry tools, supplies. Emphasis is placed on transferring basic design work to advanced applications in retail floristry.

Level III

Level III consists of advanced courses where students learn the business of floristry, wedding floral design, and sympathy tributes. The business courses (all online) are taught by MSU Extension Professor Dr. Alan Barefield and center on business management, writing a business plan, setting prices, managing inventory, and creating a loyal customer base. Level III’s in-person advanced floral design course in wedding floral designs covers practice in flowers to carry, ceremony and receptions designs, and flowers to wear. Students will gain experience in booking and pricing wedding orders. The in-person sympathy floral design course provides practice in casket and standing sprays, sympathy arrangements, and booking and pricing a sympathy order. Both in-person courses are held at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center, Biloxi.

Cashing In On Businesses Courses (6 online classes)

  • Working and Living in the Same Space
  • Developing Time-Management Tactics
  • Writing a Business Plan
  • Setting the Right Price
  • Insuring Against Catastrophes
  • Gaining the Customer Satisfaction Edge

Wedding Floral Design I (in person, Biloxi)

Sympathy Floral Design I (in person, Biloxi)

Level IV

Level IV advances learning with classes led by Dr. Barefield in online business presence and social media use. Students will gain insight on class topics pertaining to employee recruitment, insurance, and obtaining capital. The two in-person classes in this level involve advanced wedding and sympathy design practice. All courses contain assignments created to enhance learning. As you proceed through the program, you will compile a professional portfolio. These courses do not count for college credit.

Cashing In On Businesses Courses (6 online classes)

  • Your Online Presence
  • Incorporating Social Media into Your Marketing Strategy
  • Keeping Tabs on Cash
  • Recruiting, Training, and Motivating Employees
  • Managing Inventory
  • Searching for Capital

Wedding Floral Design II (in person, Biloxi)

Sympathy Floral Design II (in person, Biloxi)

Certificate Programs

Floral Designer Certificate

The Floral Designer Certificate provides entry level education for floral design jobs. This training will help you prepare for part-time or full-time jobs in florist shops or assisting event companies with parties and weddings.

This certificate requires successful completion of Level I and Level II courses. Level 1 contains five, 100% online courses that form the foundation of basic, professional floral design. Students will learn about floral industry careers, what employers expect from an employee, and what employees can do to excel in their jobs. Additional courses in Level I contain detailed and easy-to-understand information about floral care and handling, design principles, design elements, and basic floral design mechanics. You can register for any of the Level I courses at any time and you will maintain unlimited access to them via the MSU Extension online learning platform.

Once you have gained the foundational theory knowledge from Level 1, you will be ready to advance to Level II. Level II is a four-day, in person, hands-on course where students learn to create sound mechanics and placements for basic, retail floral designs. Projects include centerpieces and table designs, flowers to wear and carry, and other arrangements with emphasis on mechanical stability, geometric form and balance, and floral longevity. This course is held at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. Upon completion of Level II, you can request the certificate.

Wedding Floral Designer Certificate

By earning the Wedding Floral Designer certification, you will gain valuable knowledge and hands on experience in the planning, sales, design, and installation of wedding flowers. This program requires successful completion of Phases I-II and Wedding Floral Design I and II. This program helps prepare students for part-time and full-time careers in floristry, working in retail shops and floral studios. Upon successful completion, you can request the certificate.

Management Floral Designer Certificate

The Management Floral Designer Certificate builds upon the foundations of floral design theory and provides business knowledge to help retail florists succeed in management roles. This certificate requires successful completion of Levels I-II, and business courses only in Levels III-IV. It is recommended for professionals who want to gain management positions, involved in them already, or those interested in purchasing established floral businesses. Upon completion, you can request the certificate.

Entrepreneur Floral Designer Certificate

Successfully complete all four levels within the PF program to attain the Entrepreneur Floral Designer Certificate.

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News

A group gathers around a decorated table.
Filed Under: Commercial Horticulture, Floral Design March 6, 2024

Although known for cutting-edge agricultural research and leading the way in world food security efforts, Mississippi State University is no lightweight in researching some of the beautiful things, including colorful flowers and foliage. Floriculture is the cultivation of flowering plants and ornamentals and is a subset of horticulture, the science of cultivating fruits, vegetables and other plants. While not necessary to stave off world hunger or find a cure for cancer, floriculture is a significant industry, and its support is a priority to MSU.

Filed Under: Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture, Local Flavor, Specialty Crop Production, Cut Flowers and Houseplants, Floral Design January 29, 2024

BILOXI, Miss. -- Floral enthusiasts and business owners can learn from a professional floral designer during an upcoming design demonstration and workshop hosted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Rachel Bond, a Pass Christian floral designer, will showcase her floral design style using diverse plant materials and traditional stylings.

A man stands in a studio with a completed velvet bow, garland, door swag, and table centerpiece.
Filed Under: Lawn and Garden, Cut Flowers and Houseplants, Floral Design, Flower Gardens October 17, 2023

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Floral enthusiasts and business owners can learn to create home holiday decorations with evergreen cuttings and basic floral supplies in an online workshop. The Deck the Halls workshop will include step-by-step instruction for creating impressive velvet bows, a classical garland, a regal door swag and a long-lasting, elegant table centerpiece.

Success Stories

A man, smiling, standing in front of a candle centerpiece and behind a table with bows, evergreen door swag and evergreen garland.
Volume 9 Number 3

Dr. Jim DelPrince is taking care of what matters this holiday season, and you can too!

A woman standing outside beside flowers wreathing a door.
Volume 9 Number 2

Missy Brandon remembers gathering countless bouquets of the tiny blue-eyed bluets that grew in her parents’ yard when she was a child. She would place them in a miniature pottery vase made by her mom, who taught art and ceramics. Growing up, Missy gathered and arranged any and all kinds of blooms she could find.

A woman wearing a white coat stands behind floral arrangements and a bucket full of flowers.
Volume 7 Number 3

Arranging Joy

Dr. Tamela Gartman has always loved flowers and being outdoors.

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Contacts

Portrait of Dr. James M. DelPrince
Associate Extension Professor
Portrait of Dr. Alan Barefield
Extension Professor
Economic Development, Public Infrastructure Economics, Health Economics, Economic Impact/Contributio

Your Extension Experts

Portrait of Dr. James M. DelPrince
Associate Extension Professor