Link to the College of Agricultural Sciences
Link to Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Donate to the collegeProspective student information
  • Department
    • About Us
    • Facilities
    • Awards & Honors
    • Student Organizations
    • International Programs
    • Position Announcements
    • Seminars
    • College Directory
  • People
    • Faculty
    • Administrative Staff
    • Research Staff
    • Graduate Students
    • Post Docs & Visiting Scientists
    • Emeritus Faculty
    • Joint Appointments
    • Faculty Affiliates
  • Undergraduate
    • Horticulture Academic Programs
    • Landscape Architecture Programs
    • Advising
    • Career Services
    • Courses
    • Scholarships
    • Dean’s List
  • Graduate
    • Horticulture Academic Programs
    • Courses
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Apply
  • Research
    • Research Programs
    • Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Outreach
    • Outreach Program Areas
    • Green Industry Outreach
    • CSU Extension
  • Alumni & Friends
    • HLA Alumni Awards
    • Plants People Places Newsletter
    • Previous Issues
    • LA Program Newsletter-Landmark
    • Stay Connected & Events
    • Traditions
    • Funding Priorities
    • Alumni & Friends Recognition
    • CSU Alumni Association
    • Thornton-Massa Lecture Series
  • Commencement
  • Menu Item
  • Menu Item
  • Instagram
  • Menu Item

Horticulture Graduate Degrees

M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture

  • Master of Science Plan A – thesis (30 credits) Plan A requires data collection and analysis based on laboratory or field research.
  • Master of Science Plan B – non-thesis (33 credits) Plan B requires a paper based on library research.
  • Ph.D. (72 credits) 30 credits from transfer
Departmental Graduate Studies Manual

Our Horticulture Graduate Students

Graduate study for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture is available to qualified students who have an undergraduate degree from accredited institutions in horticulture, or in related plant sciences including botany, crop science, environmental sciences, or professions related to landscape design. Non-plant science degree applicants with substantial experience in related professions may also qualify.

Applicants seeking graduate degrees in horticulture should have adequate preparation in the fundamental sciences (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, physics), as well as undergraduate course work in the plant sciences (e.g., agronomy, botany, ecology, horticulture, genetics, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant anatomy). Applicants lacking adequate preparation may be accepted conditionally, with the provision that recommended undergraduate courses be completed before the degree is awarded.

The graduate admissions committee accepts only those students who provide acceptable GRE and TOEFL scores, transcripts, letters of reference and a professional goals statement that show potential and promise to complete the requirements for the degree being sought. All students applying for admission to the M.S. and Ph.D. Horticulture program are expected to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Research Opportunities

Research training, academic guidance and career counseling are provided by faculty in the department, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and interdisciplinary graduate programs such as the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, the Graduate Program in Food Science/Safety, the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, and the Program in Molecular Plant Biology.

Research options include opportunities to concentrate on laboratory, field, greenhouse or landscape design projects. The environment created by cooperation between faculty involved in applied and basic research and extension allows students to develop a broad professional science and applied horticultural base.

Topics for thesis or dissertation research

Topics for thesis or dissertation research are determined through consultation with the student’s adviser and graduate advisory committee. Research may have a crop focus, but should also have a discipline (e.g. plant physiology, environmental and soil sciences, plant genetics, plant biochemistry, landscape design/planning) emphasis. The table below lists a number of topics and the advisers who have worked with graduate students. There is ample opportunity to obtain multidisciplinary research training through faculty in other departments and across campus. The lists to the right below provide links to several interdisciplinary programs and affiliated programs both within the department and beyond.

Sample of topics of research for horticulture degrees and possible advisers:

Bioactive plant components Jorge Vivanco
Dietary intervention/cancer prevention Henry Thompson
Ecophysiology William Bauerle
Environmental and stress physiology William Bauerle
Floriculture Steven Newman
Greenhouse technology Steven Newman
Landscape ecology Patrick Martin
Irrigation management Tony Koski, James Klett, Michael Bartolo
Landscape/ornamental plants James Klett
Landscape water conservation/xeriscapes James Klett, Tony Koski, Yaling Qian
Potato breeding and production David Holm, Robert Davidson, Samuel Essah
Potato storage physiology Sastry Jayanty
Rhizosphere biology/ecology Jorge Vivanco
Turfgrass science Tony Koski, Yaling Qian
Vegetable crops Mark Uchanski, Michael Bartolo
Viticulture/enology Horst Caspari, Stephen Menke

Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs

Cell and Molecular Biology Program

Interdisciplinary Studies Program in Food Science/Safety

Graduate Degree Program in Ecology

Program in Molecular Plant Biology

 

Affiliated Programs

Cancer Prevention Lab

Center for Rhizosphere Biology

Colorado Water Resource Institute

Specialty Crops Program

USDA National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation

USDA Sugar Beet Research

USDA Soil-Plant-Nutrient Research Unit

USDA Water Management Research Unit

Return to Application Deadlines and Requirements

Links to Our Depts

  • College of Agricultural Sciences
  • Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Departments
    • Agricultural and Resource Economics
    • Animal Sciences
    • Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management
    • Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
    • Soil and Crop Sciences

Related Links

  • Faculty and Staff Resources
  • Ag Business Center
  • AAR
  • Career Services
  • CSU Directory
  • FSAS
  • Fundraising & Engagement
  • Information Technology
  • More News
  • College Toolbox

Stay in Touch

301 University Ave.
Colorado State University
Fort Collins CO 80523-1173
Bldg.: Shepardson 111
Voice: 970-491-7019
Fax: 970-491-7745
Department Office

Donate to the college Donate to the university
  • © 2015 Colorado State University
  • Apply to CSU
  • Disclaimer
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Privacy Statement
  • Submit an Event

© 2017 Colorado State University, Colorado State University is an EO/EA/AA employer