Ontario College Certificate in Arboriculture (Co-op)
Start Dates:
January 2023
January 2024
Love trees and want to help preserve our environment? With Fleming’s Arboriculture Co-op program, it’s possible to live in an urban setting and contribute to the environmental effort.
Program Highlights
As an Arboriculture graduate, you'll maintain and preserve trees and shrubs in the urban landscape and green spaces of our communities – providing cleaner air and much needed "green" relief from the concrete jungle.
- The program offers theoretical knowledge for all aspects of urban tree care, as well as such practical skills as safe tree climbing techniques, aerial rescue, pruning techniques, tree removal, power line clearing, and the operation and maintenance of relevant equipment.
- You will be able to identify approximately 140 species of trees and shrubs in both summer and winter conditions, and to diagnose and remedy major pests, disease, and tree disorders using the latest integrated management options to promote plant health.
- In 2nd semester, you can take the Arborist and Utility Arborist exemption exams, to qualify you for the in-school portion of these MAESD apprenticeships (there is no additional cost to you for your first attempt at writing these tests).
Why Choose Fleming
Simply put, students choose our program because of our reputation in the arboriculture industry. Employers look to our Arboriculture program to find well-trained graduates. School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences has a long-standing reputation among professional organizations and employers working in the field. In 2007 the program received an Award of Merit from the International Society of Arboriculture, Ontario Chapter, for "advancing the principles, ideas and practice of Arboriculture in Ontario."
Double the Power of Your Credential
Many of our programs offer the opportunity to earn a second certificate or diploma with just one or two more semesters of study. Add another specialization to your skill set and increase your career prospects with this unique opportunity.
Learn more here or contact your program coordinator for more information.
Work Experience
From start to finish, the Arboriculture program is hands-on - you'll be spending a lot of time working with trees and shrubs outside in addition to your time in the classroom.
There is a mandatory paid co-op semester from May to September.
In addition to paying tuition and fees for two semesters of study, students pay a co-op fee (approximately $558.00) for administrative costs associated with the co-op placement.
Is this You?
These are the skills and personality traits that will help you to be a successful arborist:
- love of the outdoors and working with trees/shrubs
- physical fitness
- good oral/written communication skills
- problem solving ability
- attention to detail
- ability/willingness to work in extreme weather conditions
Tree climbing tests are timed and are proficiency-based. In order to be successful, you will need to achieve minimum standards for tree climbing. All climbing courses require a minimum mark of 70% to achieve a passing grade.
Career Opportunities
When you graduate, you'll be qualified for jobs such as:
- tree climber
- municipal arborist
- commercial arborist
- utility arborist
- plant health care technician
- urban forest technician
- tree and shrub specialist
- urban parks manager
Employers include municipalities, private companies, line clearing companies, utility companies, and provincial ministries.
Pathway Options
Arboriculture graduates can pursue further studies in the Urban Forestry Technician (UFT) program with advanced standing. They can enter semester 2 of the program, starting in January. The study period is as follows:
- Complete Arboriculture program in December
- January-April: Semester 2 of Urban Forestry Technician
- May-August: Exempt from semester 3/ co-op
- September-December: Semester 4 courses, plus pick up 2 courses from semester 1
- January-April: Semester 5 courses; graduate in April.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.
Related Programs
If you haven't decided on which program to take at Fleming College, and want to work with trees, also consider the Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Technician Co-op or Forestry Technician programs.
Additional Costs
Plan to spend about $1,000 to $1,500 for books, supplies and personal safety equipment.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Arboriculture (Co-op) must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD including Gr 12 C English
OSSD with majority of courses at College (C ) or Open (O) unless otherwise stated.
Grade 12 C courses will be accepted where Gr 11 C course requirements are listed.
Where College level courses are listed, U and M courses will be accepted.
Recommended (but not required for admission)
- Strong plant biology and/or horticulture background
Other program requirements:
- Excellent physical condition
- Completion of Standard First Aid and Heart CPR is required for graduation
Tuition and Fees Detail
Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition and Fees Details Chart below.
View complete tuition and fees details
Domestic Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.93 |
| Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| Career Services | $14.25 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $65.17 |
| Health Plan | $203.50 |
| Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $66.30 |
| Program Supply Fee | $473.00 |
| Provincial Advocacy | $2.70 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
| Student Association Governance | $27.47 |
| Student Association Pub | $11.41 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.91 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $59.50 |
| Student Building Fund | $44.70 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $1,488.33 |
| Total | $2,732.08 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Co-op Fee | $557.52 |
| Total | $557.52 |
International Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.93 |
| Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| Career Services | $14.25 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $65.17 |
| Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
| International Health Plan | $807.79 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $66.30 |
| Program Supply Fee | $473.00 |
| Provincial Advocacy | $2.70 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
| Student Association Governance | $27.47 |
| Student Association Pub | $11.41 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.91 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $59.50 |
| Student Building Fund | $44.70 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $7,048.71 |
| Total | $8,896.75 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Co-op Fee | $557.52 |
| Total | $557.52 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for international students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | $880.74 | $365.00 | September to December |
| Winter | $807.79 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $367.47 | $142.35 | May to August |
Transfer Agreements
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
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