Advanced Master Gardener Training vs. Continuing Education
Advanced Master Gardener Training has often been confused with continuing education. Currently, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program requires at least 10 hours of continuing education annually for Master Gardeners to retain their Active Master Gardener status. Approved educational updates for continuing education include such things as the State Master Gardener Conference, local Master Gardener update sessions, University of Illinois Extension-sponsored webinars and short courses, credit horticulture or plant science classes, or other horticultural classes approved by the local Master Gardener coordinator. Generally, these are short-term educational activities that last from several hours to several days.
Advanced Master Gardener Training requires a pre-determined number of hours in one horticulture-related topic area. Prior approval of classes by the unit Master Gardener Coordinator is required. The contact hours may be a combination of face-to-face and online instruction. The extended instructional time enables a greater depth of subject matter than is possible in Core Course instruction. Advanced Master Gardener Training topic development and approval will be coordinated through the state Master Gardener office. Current advanced training hours will also count towards continuing education requirements.
Current Advanced Training Opportunities
These trainings provide education in topics related to Extension priorities and prepare Master Gardeners to deliver programming to the public in these areas, as well as become more proficient in answering questions related to the following issues.
Find below a list of potential videos or links to content that you could use to fulfill the 20-hour requirement for each advanced training topic. The content listed below is pre-approved; however, any other programs or courses you choose to apply to a topic area must be pre-approved by your coordinator. This advanced training is designed to provide you with the flexibility to expand your knowledge in a topic area that interests you, while also applying it to your work as a Master Gardener, helping others learn to grow.
Advanced Training Topics
Advanced Ecology
Master Gardeners may complete either Master Naturalist training or 20 hours of ecology-related classes to receive this certification. Classes such as ecology, conservation, native plants, wildlife, soils, or other related topics will count towards this certification. A minimum of 20 hours of training is required.
- Contact your local coordinator to discuss the possibility of enrolling in the Master Naturalist training program.
- Many topics are available on the:
- Complete the Climate Stewards Training: https://extension.illinois.edu/climate/illinois-extension-climate-stewards
Advanced Sustainable Landscaping
A minimum of 20 hours of training is required. Classes such as Master Composter training, rain barrel or rain garden classes, or other sustainable landscaping courses will count toward advanced training hours.
- Many topics are available on the:
- University of Illinois Extension Horticulture YouTube page.
- Click on Playlists for groupings of topics, like the Four Seasons webinar series.
- Everyday Environment Youtube Series.
- University of Illinois Extension Horticulture YouTube page.
- Other recorded video examples:
Advanced IPM
A minimum of 20 hours of training is required. Training could include PSEP training; classes on invasive species, and conference workshops on invasive species, weeds, insects, or diseases.
- Pesticide Safety Education Program Training
- Many topics are available on the:
- Illinois Extension Forestry YouTube page.
- University of Illinois Extension Horticulture YouTube page.
- Click on Playlists for groupings of topics, like the Four Seasons webinar series.
Advanced Local Foods
A minimum of 20 hours of training is required. Training could include local foods training, local food or specialty crop conference sessions- like the Everything Local Conference, GAP training, or organic gardening sessions.
- Many topics are available on the:
- Everything Local Conference- held in January every year
- Get Growing Video Series
- Get Growing Webinar Series
Advanced Tree Health and Identification
A minimum of 20 hours of training is required.
Training could include a combination of the following:
- Enrollment in the Mastering Urban Tree Health and Identification online course modules. Click here for instructions on enrolling in the course. The estimated average completion time for this course is 10-15 hours.
- Participation in local tree walks hosted by Illinois Extension staff or by other local organizations.
- Participation in the Community Tree Care Series of webinars and workshops. Visit https://extension.illinois.edu/plants/community-tree-care-series to register.
- Morton Arboretum Basic Tree Identification Course- Either In-person or Online: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/adult-programs/basic-tree-id/
- Attend a University of Illinois Extension Forestry Program event.
- Opportunities can be found at: https://www.ilforestry.org/Events
Past Webinar Recordings
- Tree Compartmentalization- 2019 Webinar
- Tree Root Collar Disorders: 2021 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar
- Root Awakening: Spring Tree Tips: 2025 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar
- Planting and Caring for Trees- 2021 Webinar
- Pruning Shade Trees: 2023 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar
- Deep Bark Secrets of Tree Selection: 2021 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar
- The Nuts and Boles of Tree Identification- 2021 Webinar
- Tree Care in Urban Soils - 2018 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar
Additional Advanced Training Details
Training Instructors
Instructors for Advanced Master Gardener Training shall be University of Illinois Extension Unit Educators, Extension Specialists, College faculty, Junior college faculty, Green Industry professionals, and/or other horticultural professionals approved as instructors by University of Illinois Extension.
Training Timeline
An Advanced Master Gardener Training class may be completed over a period of up to two years from the initial class start date. Students who are unable to complete the minimum required hours in the topic area within a 2-year timeframe from the start of training will not be awarded an Advanced Master Gardener pin for that subject. However, at a later date, they may retake the course to achieve Advanced Master Gardener status in the topic. Master Gardeners should submit their credentials to their local Master Gardener Coordinator for approval to receive the advanced training certification.
Requirements
Advanced Master Gardener Training is open only to Active, Certified University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. Master Gardener Interns must first complete their internship before beginning an Advanced Master Gardener course. Inactive Master Gardeners and Master Gardener Alumni must first reactivate as University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners before enrolling in an Advanced Master Gardener course. Completion of Advanced Master Gardener Training in a topic area does not obligate the Master Gardener to additional volunteer service time beyond the basic requirements to retain Active Master Gardener status.
Recognition
Upon successful completion of the advanced Master Gardener hours, volunteers will be requested to present to the local MG group on the key points of what was learned in the advanced training coursework and how the volunteer will be able to utilize that knowledge in MG volunteer service. This presentation could be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, a more informal presentation, or an article/write-up to be shared with the group.
Participants will be awarded a pin and a certificate representative of the course topic. Advanced Master Gardeners are encouraged to wear their Advanced Master Gardener pin(s) in conjunction with their University of Illinois Extension name badge. Pins will be available through the State Master Gardener office.