Graduate Degrees
The graduate programs of the Department of Horticultural Sciences are designed to prepare individuals for careers in research, teaching, extension and industry. Research-oriented programs in the areas of fruit/nut/vegetable breeding, production and processing; ornamental horticulture/nursery crops; post-harvest physiology; greenhouse/floriculture production, marketing and economics; plant-microbe interactions; viticulture/enology; genetics/genomics; and plant physiology are available to students. Supporting work may be required in several related fields such as chemistry, biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, soils, genetics, nutrition and agricultural engineering. The specific objective of the individual student will guide his or her committee in the choice of courses from the departments mentioned above and others in special cases.
Graduate Degrees
M.S. Horticulture
The Masters of Science (MS) degree in Horticulture provides an advanced science-based education for students through innovative teaching and directed horticultural research experiences. The program encompasses basic genetic, physiology, production, processing and utilization of horticultural products including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape plants.
M.Agr. in Horticulture
The Master of Agriculture (MAgr) degree in Horticulture is designed for a student who wants professional graduate education that provides management training and emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills through innovative teaching and directed horticultural internships.
Ph.D. Horticulture
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Horticulture program is designed to prepare students to become successful independent researchers to help meet the challenge of providing nutritious foods and sustaining an aesthetically-pleasing and healthy environment to support the health and well-being of the citizens of Texas and beyond.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Graduate students in the Department of Horticultural Sciences can major in Molecular and Environmental Plant Physiology (MEPS), Genetics (GENE), Food Science and Technology (FSTC), or Plant Breeding (PLBR) but must meet the course prerequisite requirements set forth by the Interdisciplinary Faculty of that major.
| Graduate Degrees Offered Through These Interdisciplinary Programs | M.Ag. | M.S. | Ph.D. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genetics | X | X | |
| Food Science and Technology | X | X | X |
| Horticulture | X | X | X |
| Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences | X | X | |
| Plant Breeding | X | X |
NOTE: The Plant Breeding M.S. & Ph.D. via distance education technology program began Spring 2013. View the Department of Horticultural Sciences Distance Plant Breeding Handbook, April 2018.
Graduate Funding Opportunities
There are a number of fellowship and scholarship opportunities that are available to graduate students. The following discussion summarizes some of the major opportunities currently available. Most provide a nonresident tuition waiver. Check with the department graduate office and Office of Graduate Studies for details. Students holding fellowships should check the current graduate catalog to determine registration requirements.
University Fellowships Funding
Application Deadlines for Consideration of University Fellowships Funding:
Fall semester – December 15 of the preceding year to be eligible for fellowship consideration
Application Deadlines for Consideration of College Fellowships Funding:
Fall semester – January 15 of the preceding year to be eligible for fellowship consideration
Note that deadlines may be adjusted if you find a faculty member to work with you. For all other admission deadlines, please consult the Office of Graduate Studies.
*Delays in the process are often caused by either delayed receipt of the letters of recommendation, transcripts, TOEFL or GRE scores. Graduate Admissions will not release the application to the Department until all required information has been received.
Assistantships
- All assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.
- Some teaching assistantships are available from the Department.
- Most research assistantships are funded from grants held by individual faculty members.
- You should inquire about the availability of research assistantships from the individual faculty whose programs interest you.
- You should only go to the expense of applying if there is a program in your area of interest and which has an opening for a new graduate student.
International Student Services
All information pertaining to international students at Texas A&M University is available on the homepage of International Student Services.
English Language Proficiency
International students are required to verify English language proficiency using one of the methods outlined by the Office of Admissions details can be found at Texas A&M University Office of Admissions.
