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. Our program 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.
Ph. D. Program Details
For a PhD degree, a student with a Master’s degree must complete 64 hours, and a student with only a baccalaureate degree must complete 96 hours.
- Degree: Ph.D. in Horticulture
- Credit Hours: 36 total credit hours
NOTE: It is highly recommended that all graduate students in the Department of Horticultural Sciences have taken or will take 6 credit hours of 200, 300, 400, or 600 level HORT courses prior to admission. In the event that a student is deficient in HORT courses, the student’s committee can require the student to take an additional 6 credit hours of HORT (300, 400 or 600 level courses) as part of their degree The courses must be approved by the Chair of the student’s Advisory Committee. Any 300, 400, or 600 level courses may be applied towards the student’s Degree Plan with the Chair and Committee’s approval. These 6 hours of HORT courses will be in addition to the 9 hour Master’s and 12 hour Doctoral requirement at the 600 level for all HORT graduate students. If the student is deficient in the non-HORT supporting field courses (for example: chemistry, soils, plant physiology, etc.), the Chair will determine course prerequisites that need to be taken.
More information about the Department of Horticultural Science’s graduate faculty and their research can be found in Table 2 of the TAMU Graduate Horticultural Sciences Policy Handbook.
Degree requirements are posted in the official TAMU Graduate Horticultural Sciences Policy Manual. Students must meet requirements set forth in the Texas A&M University catalog which is current in the year of their first registration, and the catalog is updated on an annual basis. The official University Catalog for the current academic year can be accessed online.
Graduate Admissions
Texas A&M University is the premier choice to gain a graduate degree, thanks to our national academic ranking and high financial value. Joining the Aggie Family and gaining an advanced degree from Texas A&M puts you in the highest class of job candidates.
What Do I Need to Apply?
- Minimum GPR of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, or 3.25 in 30 hours or more of graduate work.
- Application through the Texas A&M University GraduateCAS system
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation, submitted online with your application.
- Official transcripts and records, sent to the Office of Admissions.
International Students
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.
