AGR7000 - Certified Arborist Prep
Course Description
This is a 44-hour course. (36 asynchronous-online, 8 hours in person)
In person labs meet on different islands and days. Please make sure you register for the correct island.
Arboriculture is the science and art of tree care in developed landscapes. This course covers the following range of topics generally encountered in the arboriculture industry, with an emphasis on practical knowledge for those working in Hawai'i: soil management, identification and selection of woody plants, installation and establishment of woody plants, safe work practices, tree biology, pruning, diagnosis and treatment, urban forestry, tree protection, and tree risk management. Furthermore, the course will prepare those wanting to take the International Society of Arboriculture’s Certified Arborist® Exam.
The course consists of 13 online modules to be completed on your own time, two modules per week (total of 36 hours) and 1 in-person training (8 hours). The instructor will have office hours on Thursdays and Sundays from 3–5pm to answer questions and assist you with practice testing.
Enrollment is conditional on meeting first two pre-requisite requirements listed below . Consult the ISA Certified Arborist® Application Guide regarding the requirements needed for earning and maintaining this credential and other important information.
REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY:
- Desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaners available upon request)
- Access to high-speed Internet
- Ready and able to connect to meetings through Zoom
- Access to updated web browsers: Chrome, etc.
Course Outline
This course covers the following range of topics generally encountered in the arboriculture industry, with an emphasis on practical knowledge for those working in Hawai'i: soil management, identification and selection of woody plants, installation and establishment of woody plants, safe work practices, tree biology, pruning, diagnosis and treatment, urban forestry, tree protection, and tree risk management.
Learner Outcomes
1) Demonstrate knowledge of introductory information for the following topics: soil management, identification and selection of woody plants, installation and establishment of woody plants, safe work practices, tree biology, pruning, diagnosis and treatment, urban forestry, tree protection, and tree risk management.2) Demonstrate understanding of practical information for situations regularly encountered by those working in the arboriculture industry in Hawai'i.
3) Apply knowledge successfully in the ISA Certified Arborist® Exam.
Notes
There are two requirements for passing this course.1) Pass final course exam - The final course exam will be held online the last week of the class. Each student will be able to re-test once, and you must pass the course exam to be eligible to take the ISA certification test.
2) Take the ISA certification test.
Prerequisites
- Submit a resume to wccocet@hawaii.edu that provides evidence of 3 years of full-time experience in arboriculture or a combination of 3 years of education and practical arboricultural experience. Examples of experience include: employment at Tree care companies, Nurseries, Landscape companies, Municipalities, State forestry agencies, Utility companies, Academic arboriculture/horticulture departments, Horticulture/extension programs, Consultancies, and Pest control providers.
- Students who meet initial prerequisite will be asked to submit an application to ISA. The ISA will screen applications for final eligibility and notify students.
- You must be able to attend the lab class on your island.
Lab dates: Oahu students, tbd; Maui students, tbd; Hawai'i Island students, tbd; Kauai students, tbd.