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).
PHD IN AGRICULTURE
All PhD students complete a core curriculum. The candidacy examination is a single examination consisting of two portions, written and oral, administered by the Graduate Studies Committee in conjunction with the student’s SAC and the Graduate School. The candidacy examination is a test of the student’s comprehension of the field, allied areas of study, their capacity to undertake independent research, and their ability to think and express ideas clearly.
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 Phd PROGRAM
- Satisfactory completion of the candidacy examination and submission of the Candidacy Examination Report form to the Graduate School
- Registration for at least three graduate credit hours during the semester or summer session when the candidacy and final oral examinations are taken and during the semester or summer session in which graduation is expected
- Submission of the Application to Graduate form to the Graduate School no later than the third Friday of the semester (or third Friday of May session for summer session commencement) in which graduation is expected
- Completion of a minimum of 80 graduate credit hours, at least 50 of which must be completed beyond the master’s degree
- Completion of the following residency requirements after the master’s degree has been earned or after the first 30 hours of graduate credit have been completed:
- A minimum of 24 graduate credit hours must be completed at this university
- A minimum of two consecutive pre-candidacy semesters or one semester and a summer session with full time enrollment
- A minimum of six graduate credit hours over a period of at least two semesters or on semester and a summer session after admission to candidacy
- Graduate cumulative point-hour ratio of at least 3.0
- Approval of dissertation draft by the dissertation committee members and submission of the Draft Approval form and the dissertation draft to the Graduate School at least two weeks before the date of the final oral examination
- Satisfactory completion of the final oral examination and submission of the Final Oral Examination Report form to the Graduate School by the published deadline for the semester or summer session of graduation
- Electronic submission of the approved dissertation and a separate 500-word or less abstract by the published deadline for the semester or summer session of graduation
- Submission of Final Approval form and Survey of Earned Doctorates after electronic submission and acceptance of dissertation by the published deadline for the semester or summer session of graduation
- Completion of PhD degree requirements within five years after being admitted to candidacy
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.
Pre-candidacy:
Autumn (AU) & Spring (SP) - Maximum 18 credits
Summer (SU) - Minumum of 4 for Graduate Research Assistants, 6 for Fellows
Post-candidacy:
Autumn (AU), Spring (SP), Summer (SU) - Register for 3 credits
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.
Doctor of Philosophy Application
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.