Floral Design Certificate Program
Bucks County Community College has been approved as an Educational Partner of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). Currently, we are the only college in PA offering this program. Floral Design students now have a chance to become a Certified Floral Designer by completing BCCC’s comprehensive curriculum. Note: All former floral design students will be grandfathered into the new program. Please contact Continuing Education if you have questions regarding this process.
STEP 1: Successfully complete your Bucks Floral Design Certificate Program
STEP 2: Pass the final evaluation
STEP 3: Complete the AIFD online test ($124) and receive an 80 percent or better within two weeks of receiving access to the online test. Visit www.aifd.org for industry certification requirements
| Core Classes | Prerequisite | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Floral Design | 15 | |
| Intermediate Floral Design | Basic Floral Design | 15 |
| Advanced Floral Design | Basic & Intermediate Floral Design | 15 |
| Weddings I: A Personal Touch | Basic & Intermediate Floral Design |
15 |
| Weddings II: Ceremonies & Celebrations | Basic & Intermediate Floral Design |
15 |
| Sympathy & Funeral Flowers | Basic & Intermediate Floral Design | 15 |
| Elective (choose 3) | Each elective is 8 hours | 24 |
| Capstone (Final Evaluation) | All 6 core and 3 elective classes | |
| Total Certificate Hours (not including Capstone) | 114 |
**Must complete 114 hours in order to register for the capstone.
**Only one absence permitted in each class in order to receive a certificate of completion.
BASIC FLORAL DESIGN (CORE) FLORA 1000 C01 & C70
Students will be introduced to the basics of floral designing - how to care and condition fresh flowers to prolong their life, floral design terminology, and various design trends and techniques. Students will learn to arrange in a variety of vases (including but not limited to glassware, plastic, and basket containers) using a wide range of flowers and foliage. At least one arrangement will be made each class. No prior experience necessary. Students will take all arrangements they create in class - bring a box to carry them home in.
Note: Students must bring a floral knife, pruning shears, wire cutters, and ribbon scissors to class.
Cost includes $225 material/flower cost & $45 program textbook - The AIFD Guide to Floral Design)
INTERMEDIATE FLORAL DESIGN (CORE) FLORA 1001 C01 & C70
Students will be able to advance their knowledge and skills in floral design with this intermediate course. They will have opportunities to design larger arrangements using more complex techniques. They will learn to use some of the most common design techniques including: mille de fleur, Biedermeier, phoenix, and waterfall designs. Students will take home the arrangements they create in class.
Prerequisite: Basic Floral Design
Cost includes $225 material/flower cost
ADVANCED FLORAL DESIGN (CORE) FLORA 1002 C01 & C70
Students will utilize innovative techniques to create advanced floral designs. Designs created in this class will demonstrate applied knowledge of the elements and principles. Creations will focus on Contemporary, European and Asian designs. They will learn critical thinking skills and how to edit design applications.
Prerequisite: Basic & Intermediate Floral Design
Cost includes $225 material/flower cost
SYMPATHY AND FUNERAL FLOWERS (CORE) FLORA 1004 C70
Expand your floral design skills by learning one of the biggest parts of the industry. We will explore all the different ways that floral design is used for funeral and sympathy work. Our designs will be based on the principles and elements of design, and will will be looking at modern trends in sympathy design.
Prerequisite: Basic & Intermediate Floral Design
Cost includes $275 material/flower cost
WEDDINGS I: A PERSONAL TOUCH (CORE) FLORA 1014 C01
From Brides and Grooms, to Moms, Flower Girls and that Great Uncle who's never missed a birthday, we'll walk through the best ways to create all of the personal flowers for the wedding day, along with techniques to add that creative and personal touch for each unique client.
Prerequisite: Basic & Intermediate Floral Design
Cost includes $225 material/flower cost
WEDDINGS II: CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS (CORE) FLORA 1015 C01
We're going to the Chapel.....and the church, and the Cathedral! Then we'll explore the techniques and mechanics used to create inspiring reception decor.
Prerequisite: Basic & Intermediate Floral Design
Cost includes $225 material/flower cost
For the Love of Flowers (Elective) FLORA 1022 C01
Each day of this elective will be spent exploring a different genre of flowers and the blooms that best make up the vignettes in these genres. We'll explore garden varieties, tropical blooms, traditional favorites and more. You'll take home a beautiful design each day to help chase away those January blues!
Cost includes $160 material/flower cost
DESIGNING WITH BULBS (ELECTIVE) FLORA 1016 C01
(No class 11/26) 6 - 8pm
Bulbs are not just for planting...Explore new and creative ways to design with bulbs. Creations will expose the bulb in several different design styles and applications.
Cost includes $160 material/flower cost
Floral Jewelry (Elective) FLORA 1010 C70
Flowers aren’t just great to look at – they’re fun to wear! Join us in learning the mechanics and techniques of creating floral jewelry that can be worn around town or for a special occasion.
Cost includes $160 material/flower cost
Holidays of Design (Elective) FLORA 1012 C70
In this class we will take the ordinary holiday designs and add style. You will learn how to accessorize and enhance an arrangement in any season. We will focus on design and how to think outside of the box, kicking up traditional designs and adding embellishments and mechanics. We will visit spring with textures and style, fall with unexpected colors, Christmas and a Valentines Day with a modern twist and design we will all fall in love with. This class will turn ordinary into EXTRAORDINARY!!
Cost includes $160 material/flower cost
Consults, Quotes & Carnations (Elective) FLORA 1024 C01
Learn best practices for meeting with clients, expand upon how to sell and up-sell, the art of the proposal, the importance of the quote and how to implement your plan. This immersive day will touch on all of the steps taken when leading a client from initial idea to event day! Each student will take home a least one design or part of a design that they've created.
Cost includes $160 material/flower cost