All graduate students in HCS are required to complete our core curriculum. Graduate students may be required to take additional specialized courses as directed by their Student Advisory Committee (SAC).
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE
The HCS Master’s degree program gives students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and necessary skills in a field in order to engage in research and other scholarly activities, to teach, and to become practitioners. The master’s degree program consists of courses and other educational experiences, a master’s examination, and a thesis or report.
THESIS VS NON-THESIS OPTIONS
The student must submit a complete, typed, thesis draft to the SAC for approval prior to the Master's exam. Format is important; students must follow the Graduate School Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Theses. If the thesis is acceptable and the student performs satisfactorily on the Master's exam, the SAC will indicate approval by signing a Thesis Approval form. The approval form and the final thesis must be submitted to the Graduate school no later than one week before commencement.
The non-thesis MS degree is permitted only by petition to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC).
Students who wish to enroll in a non-thesis MS degree program (Plan B) are required to declare in writing to the GSC with copy to the advisor their intention not later than the first semester of enrollment. Departmental support for assistantships will not be provided for students choosing the non-thesis option. Requests to change to the Plan B option after the first semester must be made by the advisor not later than the semester prior to the intended semester of graduation. The request should be forwarded only after a meeting of the SAC has taken place and it should describe in full the rationale for the request. The request must be signed by all members of the SAC. The request will be reviewed by the GSC and permission of the GSC will be required. The Plan B option is considered to be a terminal degree.
Future Students
- Breeding and Genetics
- Crop Management and Production
- Controlled Environment Agriculture
- Greenhouse Nursery Systems
- Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology
- Seed Biology
- Turfgrass Science and Management
- Weed Ecology
Research in our department focusses on plants and diverse aspects of their genetics, biochemistry, ecology, management, quality, utilization, and associated social dimensions.
GET A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK AT OUR MASTERS PROGRAM
We are one Department located on two campuses: Ohio State's Columbus campus and Ohio State’s Wooster campus. The campuses are separated by about 90 miles (145 km), but are linked with modern video-link classrooms and through many personal and interdisciplinary connections. Excellent field and laboratory facilities are available at both locations.
The HCS Graduate Student Association (HCS GSA) is an organization for graduate students, led by graduate students. The purpose of the HCS GSA is to provide opportunities for interaction of current and incoming graduate students, improve student’s professional development skills through networking and professional events, provide a forum to plan academic and social events within HCS, and to serve as a liaison between graduate students and the departmental administration.
Autumn (AU) & Spring (SP) - Maximum 18 credits
Summer (SU) - Minumum of 4 for Graduate Research Assistants, 6 for Fellows
Applying for our graduate program
Learn more about our faculty and their research areas and before applying to one of our graduate programs you'll want to be sure to reach out directly to one of our advising faculty members.
We understand that choosing your future graduate program is a big decision. If you find that your interests fit well with our programs but you're not quite sure if you should join us, or just have questions about the process reach out to our graduate program coordinator, Regina Vann Hickok, to learn more.
Students applying for an MS in Horticulture and Crop Science or the PhD in Horticulture and Crop Science are required to have earned a bachelors or professional degree from an accredited college or university by the expected date of entry.
Prerequisite training that will enable the student to pursue graduate study work in Horticulture and Crop Science is strongly encouraged. Training constitutes adequate preparation in life sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics. Students applying with undergraduate degrees in non-scientific fields should contact us prior to submitting an application.
- A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative point-hour ratio in all previous undergraduate and graduate work. The Ohio State University operates on a 4.0 scale when calculating Grade Point Average.
- A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 79 on the internet-based TOEFL, 82 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This requirement applies only to an applicant from a country where the first language is not English, unless a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned in an English-speaking country. English proficiency requirement (international students).
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s academic program, scholastic ability, or professional performance.
- A Personal Statement is also required. The Personal Statement must be written by the applicant alone. The Statement should explain why the disciplinary program of choice is a good fit for the applicant, what his/her future plans are, what he/she will do with this graduate degree. The Statement should demonstrate that the applicant is aware of specific research opportunities in the department, and potential advisor(s). The Personal Statement should explain clearly the student’s background and academic/research interests and objectives and highlight previous relevant experiences.
- A curriculum vitae (CV). A detailed CV should provide contact information, previous educational, professional, and research experiences. Please list presentations, posters, and published papers. Include examples of leadership activities, community service, extracurricular activities, or study-abroad experiences as appropriate. The CV is typically no more than two pages long.
- The Department of Horticulture and Crop Science does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission.
The Ohio State University Graduate School admissions is a competetive process. The minimum undergraduate GPA is a 3.0 and requires a completed 4-year degree from an accredited insitution.
To receive full consideration, the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions and the graduate programs should receive your required admissions materials by the current application deadline
For more information about The Graduate School, click here
There are multiple sources of financial assistance available to qualified candidates.
- Learn about tuition, fees and other graduate school expenses by visiting The Ohio State University Graduate School website.
- Check out these funding opportunities:
- Fellowships - Fellows are selected on the basis of academic merit through university-wide competitions without respect to financial need. Graduate fellows cannot be required to perform a service in return for receiving a stipend.
- Associateships - Receive a monthly stipend and a full tuition fee waiver. If you are interested in an associateship, it is important that you inform our department directly.
- Grants - Support your graduate education and research efforts by applying for a grant. These funds vary from year to year, so it is important to contact a faculty member and department studies chairs to learn about these opportunities.
Already an enrolled degree-seeking student in the Graduate School at Ohio State? Learn more about transferring graduate programs - here
VISIT US
We understand that choosing your future graduate program is a big decision. If you find that your interests fit well with our programs but you're not quite sure if you should join us reach out to our graduate program coordinator, Regina Vann Hickok, with questions, visit inquiries, and to learn more about the career options our programs can open for you.