To keep up with industry trends and current professional terminology, the Oklahoma State Florists' Association (OSFA) is updating the written curriculum for its certification programs. The curriculum update comes in tandem with a name change for certification titles. Instead of offering "master" and "advanced master" programs, the group will now have "certified" and "master certified" tracks.

The association is revamping the program in an effort to modernize many key parts of the curriculum, such as the wedding section, where new techniques will be covered.

"It doesn't make sense to teach old technology," says Mary Wilkins, OMS, OAMS, owner of Tulsa Blossoms Shop in Tulsa, Okla. 

Wilkins, the outgoing education chair, says the curriculum is reviewed and updated as needed. They haven't reviewed the program in at least six years. The theory behind the title swap is that the public can better identify "certified" with having taken educational classes and training as opposed to the more ambiguous "master" moniker.

"We felt the certification program more professionally stated what we were doing," says Dan Long, OSFA's immediate past president.

To achieve certification, a florist must complete eight half-day classes and take a final exam. After achieving the certification pre-requisite, a florist can go on to achieve master certified status by completing five, full-day classes. Although the curriculum is still undergoing some retooling, Wilkins says it should be ready for the first class of students this fall.

The program's first class graduating with the new designation was honored during the OSFA Conference in Tulsa, held July 18-20. Previous graduates of OSFA's educational programs can request redesigned pins with new, official logos.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

 

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