phd student position in horticulture

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The Ph.D. in Horticulture is granted for proven ability in research and scholarship. The student conducts research under the guidance of the major professor with input from the student’s doctoral committee. The doctoral committee consists of a minimum of five members of the graduate faculty, including at least two from the Department of Horticulture and a representative from the Graduate Council.

Requirements

• There is no rigid credit requirement; however the equivalent of at least three years of full-time graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree (at least 108 graduate credits) is required.
• The equivalent of one full-time academic year in regular non-blanket course work (at least 36 graduate credits).
• A graduate student who holds an M.S. degree must file a study program with the graduate school by the end of one calendar year of enrollment as a Ph.D. student. This program is formulated and approved at a formal meeting of the student's doctoral committee prior to this date.
• No more than 15 hours of blanket-numbered courses (e.g., 501, 507, etc.), other than thesis (Hort 503), may be included in the program.
• HORT 507 (1 credit), Horticulture Seminar. The student presents a seminar at the regularly scheduled time of the department seminar (Tuesdays at 4:00 pm).
• HORT 511 (2 credits), Research and Educational Perspectives in Horticulture, to be taken the first Fall term of enrollment (not required if the student earned these credits as an MS student).
• A minimum of 6 credits of ENT/HORT 518, PBG/HORT 519, or HORT 520 (two credits per course).  At least one course should be related to the student's area of emphasis, but students are encouraged to enroll in other topic areas.
• Successful completion of an oral preliminary examination. In Horticulture it is the prerogative of a major professor to require a written comprehensive examination as well.
• Successful completion of a final oral examination, which includes a defense of the thesis.

Courses in the major, Horticulture, may be selected from those in Horticulture (i.e. with a Hort designation) as well as from those offered by many other departments and programs.

• Plant Breeding and Genetics

Learning Outcomes: 

Through successful participation and completion of a Doctoral degree in Horticulture students will gain an advanced understanding of horticulture and the interaction with related disciplines, and conduct original research that advances the field of horticulture. Students will be trained through disciplinary coursework and research experience to provide soil science expertise and will have the breadth of knowledge to be able to communicate with professionals from the broad range of specialties involved in horticultural systems management and research.

Outcome 1: SCHOLARSHIP

Graduates will have the ability to conduct original research that extends knowledge in the field of horticulture. This will be demonstrated through mastery and application of critical thinking in the design and conduct of original research, and application of standard and innovative theory and methods in both coursework and an individual thesis research project.

Outcome 2: KNOWLEDGE

Graduates will be able to demonstrate:

• In-depth disciplinary knowledge and capacity to apply that knowledge to horticultural systems issues at multiple scales and levels of biological organization.

• Skill in integrating horticultural systems concepts across multiple disciplines.

• Original and innovative contributions to the understanding of horticultural systems.

• The ability to employ technical knowledge and leadership skills to a horticulture research problem.

Learning outcomes specific to Horticulture students:

• Ability to perform basic analyses in horticulture.

• Ability to perform other basic tasks required of a professional horticultural researcher.

• Understand key linkages and interactions between horticulture and other biological and earth science processes.

• Ability to make original contributions to the understanding of horticultural systems.

These outcomes will be accomplished through successful completion of the coursework required for the degree and a dissertation research project.

Outcome 3: COMMUNICATION

Graduates will have the ability to communicate professionally and with the public about horticulture research and horticultural resources. They will gain skills and experience in communicating in both formal and informal venues with learners, practitioners and community members. This will be demonstrated through presentation of a thesis, a special non-thesis seminar and a teaching assignment.

Outcome 4: ETHICS AND DIVERSITY

Graduates will have a commitment to diversity and high ethical standards in scholarship, teaching and service. This will occur through participation and training in research methods courses, professional development courses, and seminars, workshops, or other activities focused on diversity and ethics. 

Outcome 5: BROADER IMPLICATIONS

Graduates will demonstrate awareness of the broader implications of their research. These broader implications can include the linkages and relationships between the student’s research and aspects of broader society such social relationships—including issues relating to diversity equity and inclusion, economics, and environmental impacts. This will be demonstrated through exploration of these issues in the thesis, as part of the thesis seminar, or during the final exam.

Learn more: 

Degree: Horticulture

Level: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department: Department of Horticulture

Class Location: Corvallis Campus

Contact Us: 

For more information or to review our admissions process , please contact: Elaine Clark Oregon State University 4017 ALS Building Corvallis, OR 97331-3002 Phone: (541) 737-5477 Fax: (541) 737-3479

Degree Requirements - OSU Catalog

John Lambrinos Director of Graduate Programs 4137 Ag Life Sciences Bldg Corvallis, OR 97331-3002 Phone: (541) 737-3484 [email protected]

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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.

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Doctor of philosophy in 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 genetics, physiology, production, processing, and utilization of horticultural products including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape plants.

Mission Statement

The Department of Horticultural Sciences is focused on improving the quality of life related to aesthetic disciplines, the production of healthful fruits and vegetables, and improving the utility and sustainability of the built environment. The PhD in Horticulture prepares students to accomplish this mission by providing them with the knowledge, resources, and skills to become productive researchers in the field of Horticulture. The program includes formal classroom training, basic and applied research opportunities, and public outreach opportunities through Extension programming.  The PhD degree is obtained through appropriate course work, completion of research and other requirements, successful completion of university-directed administrative procedures, and successful defense of a dissertation.  The research project and specific coursework will be outlined by the student with guidance from the student's graduate advisory committee members. Students completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture are prepared for teaching/research positions within academia or lead research positions in government or the private sector.

This program is offered as a cooperative program with Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Steps to Fulfill a Doctoral Program

Program Requirements

• Student's Advisory Committee

Degree Plan

Transfer of credit, research proposal, preliminary examination, preliminary examination format, preliminary examination scheduling, preliminary examination grading, failure of the preliminary examination, retake of failed preliminary examination, final examination, final examination grading, dissertation, student’s advisory committee.

After receiving admission to graduate studies and enrolling, the student will consult with the head of their major or administrative department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty) concerning appointment of the chair of the advisory committee. The student’s advisory committee will consist of  no fewer than four members of the graduate faculty  representative of the student’s several fields of study and research, where the chair or co-chair must be from the student’s department (or intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), and  at least one or more of the members must have an appointment to a department other than the student’s major department . The outside member for a student in an interdisciplinary degree program must be from a department different from the chair of the student’s committee.

The chair, in consultation with the student, will select the remainder of the advisory committee. Only graduate faculty members located on Texas A&M University campuses may serve as chair of a student’s advisory committee. Other Texas A&M University graduate faculty members located off-campus may serve as a member or co-chair (but not chair), with a member as the chair.

If the chair of a student’s advisory committee voluntarily leaves the University and the student is near completion of the degree and wants the chair to continue to serve in this role, the student is responsible for securing a current member of the University Graduate Faculty, from the student’s academic program and located near the Texas A&M University campus site, to serve as the co-chair of the committee. The Department Head or Chair of Intercollegiate faculty may request in writing to the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School that a faculty member who is on an approved leave of absence or has voluntarily separated from the university, be allowed to continue to serve in the role of chair of a student’s advisory committee without a co-chair for up to one year. The students should be near completion of the degree. Extensions beyond the one year period can be granted with additional approval of the Dean.

The committee members’ signatures on the degree plan indicate their willingness to accept the responsibility for guiding and directing the entire academic program of the student and for initiating all academic actions concerning the student. Although individual committee members may be replaced by petition for valid reasons, a committee cannot resign  en masse . The chair of the committee, who usually has immediate supervision of the student’s research and dissertation or record of study, has the responsibility for calling all meetings of the committee. The duties of the committee include responsibility for the proposed degree plan, the research proposal, the preliminary examination, the dissertation or record of study and the final examination. In addition, the committee, as a group and as individual members, is responsible for counseling the student on academic matters, and, in the case of academic deficiency, initiating recommendations to the Graduate and Professional School.

The student’s advisory committee will evaluate the student’s previous education and degree objectives. The committee, in consultation with the student, will develop a proposed degree plan and outline a research problem which, when completed, as indicated by the dissertation (or its equivalent for the degree of Doctor of Education or the degree of Doctor of Engineering), will constitute the basic requirements for the degree. The degree plan must be filed with the Graduate and Professional School prior to the deadline imposed by the student’s college and no later than 90 days prior to the preliminary examination.

This proposed degree plan should be submitted through the online Document Processing Submission System located on the website  http://ogsdpss.tamu.edu . A minimum of 64 hours is required on the degree plan for the Doctor of Philosophy for a student who has completed a master’s degree. A student who has completed a DDS/DMD, DVM or a MD at a U.S. institution is also required to complete a minimum of 64 hours. A student who has completed a baccalaureate degree but not a master’s degree will be required to complete a 96-hour degree plan. Completion of a DDS/DMD, DVM or MD degree at a foreign institution requires completion of a minimum of 96 hours for the Doctor of Philosophy. A field of study may be primarily in one department or in a combination of departments. A degree plan must carry a reasonable amount of 691 (research). A maximum of 9 hours of 400-level undergraduate courses may be used toward meeting credit-hour requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Additional coursework may be added by petition to the approved degree plan by the student’s advisory committee if it is deemed necessary to correct deficiencies in the student’s academic preparation. No changes can be made to the degree plan once the student’s Request for Final Examination is approved by the Graduate and Professional School.

Approval to enroll in any professional course (900-level) should be obtained from the head of the department (or Chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable) in which the course will be offered before including such a course on a degree plan.

No credit may be obtained by correspondence study, by extension or for any course of fewer than three weeks duration.

For non-distance degree programs, no more than 50 percent of the non-research credit hours required for the program may be completed through distance education courses.

To receive a graduate degree from Texas A&M University, students must earn one-third or more of the credits through the institution’s own direct instruction. This limitation also applies to joint degree programs. 

Courses for which transfer credits are sought must have been completed with a grade of B or greater and must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the Graduate and Professional School. These courses must not have been used previously for another degree. Except for officially approved cooperative doctoral programs, credit for thesis or dissertation research or the equivalent is not transferable. Credit for “internship” coursework in any form is not transferable. Courses taken in residence at an accredited U.S. institution or approved international institution with a final grade of B or greater will be considered for transfer credit if, at the time the courses were completed, the courses would be accepted for credit toward a similar degree for a student in degree-seeking status at the host institution. Credit for coursework taken by extension is not transferable. Coursework  in which no formal grades are given or in which grades other than letter grades (A or B) are earned (for example, CR, P, S, U, H, etc.) is not accepted for transfer credit . Credit for coursework submitted for transfer from any college or university must be shown in semester credit hours, or equated to semester credit hours.

Courses used toward a degree at another institution may not be applied for graduate credit. If the course to be transferred was taken prior to the conferral of a degree at the transfer institution, a letter from the registrar at that institution stating that the course was not applied for credit toward the degree must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

Grades for courses completed at other institutions are not included in computing the GPA. An official transcript from the university at which transfer courses are taken must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

The general field of research to be used for the dissertation should be agreed on by the student and the advisory committee at their first meeting, as a basis for selecting the proper courses to support the proposed research.

As soon thereafter as the research project can be outlined in reasonable detail, the dissertation research proposal should be completed. The research proposal should be approved at a meeting of the student’s advisory committee, at which time the feasibility of the proposed research and the adequacy of available facilities should be reviewed. The approved proposal, signed by all members of the student’s advisory committee, the head of the student’s major department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School at least 20 working days prior to the submission of the Request for the Final Examination.

Compliance issues must be addressed if a graduate student is performing research involving human subjects, animals, infectious biohazards and recombinant DNA. A student involved in these types of research should check with the Office of Research Compliance and Biosafety at (979) 458-1467 to address questions about all research compliance responsibilities. Additional information can also be obtained on the website  http:// rcb.tamu.edu .

Examinations

The student’s major department (or chair of the interdisciplinary degree program faculty, if applicable) and their advisory committee may require qualifying, cumulative or other types of examinations at any time deemed desirable. These examinations are entirely at the discretion of the department and the student’s advisory committee.

The preliminary examination is required. The preliminary examination for a doctoral student shall be given no earlier than a date at which the student is within 6 credit hours of completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan (i.e., all coursework on the degree plan except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The student should complete the Preliminary Examination no later than the end of the semester following the completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan.

The objective of preliminary examination is to evaluate whether the student has demonstrated the following qualifications:

a.     a mastery of the subject matter of all fields in the program;

b.     an adequate knowledge of the literature in these fields and an ability to carry out bibliographical research;

c.     an understanding of the research problem and the appropriate methodological approaches.

The format of the preliminary examination shall be determined by the student’s department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) and advisory committee, and communicated to the student in advance of the examination. The exam may consist of a written component, oral component, or combination of written and oral components.

The preliminary exam may be administered by the advisory committee or a departmental committee; herein referred to as the examination committee.

Regardless of exam format, a student will receive an overall preliminary exam result of pass or fail. The department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) will determine how the overall pass or fail result is determined based on the exam structure and internal department procedures. If the exam is administered by the advisory committee, each advisory committee member will provide a pass or fail evaluation decision.

Only one advisory committee substitution is allowed to provide an evaluation decision for a student’s preliminary exam, and it cannot be the committee chair.

If a student is required to take, as a part of the preliminary examination, a written component administered by a department or interdisciplinary degree program, the department or interdisciplinary degree program faculty must:

a.     offer the examination at least once every six months. The departmental or interdisciplinary degree program examination should be announced at least 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

b.     assume the responsibility for marking the examination satisfactory or unsatisfactory, or otherwise graded, and in the case of unsatisfactory, stating specifically the reasons for such a mark.

c.     forward the marked examination to the chair of the student’s advisory committee within one week after the examination.

Students are eligible for to schedule the preliminary examination in the Academic Requirements Completion System (ARCS) if they meet the following list of eligibility requirements:

Student is registered at Texas A&M University for a minimum of one semester credit hour in the long semester or summer term during which any component of the preliminary examination is held. If the entire examination is held between semesters, then the student must be registered for the term immediately preceding the examination.

An approved degree plan is on file with the Graduate and Professional School prior to commencing the first component of the examination.

Student’s cumulative GPA is at least 3.000.

Student’s degree plan GPA is at least 3.000.

At the end of the semester in which at least the first component of the exam is given, there are no more than 6 hours of coursework remaining on the degree plan (except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The head of the student’s department (or Chair of the Interdisciplinary Degree Program, if applicable) has the authority to approve a waiver of this criterion.

Credit for the preliminary examination is not transferable in cases where a student changes degree programs after passing a preliminary exam.

If a written component precedes an oral component of the preliminary exam, the chair of the student’s examination committee is responsible for making all written examinations available to all members of the committee. A positive evaluation of the preliminary exam by all members of a student’s examination committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on their preliminary exam.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Preliminary Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Academic Requirements Completion System (ARCS) within 10 working days of completion of the preliminary examination.

If an approved examination committee member substitution (one only) has been made, their approval must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School via ARCS. The approval of the designated department approver is also required on the request.

After passing the required preliminary oral and written examinations for a doctoral degree, the student must complete the final examination within four years of the semester in which the preliminary exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a preliminary exam taken and passed during the Fall 2023 semester will expire at the end of the Fall 2027 semester. A preliminary exam taken in the time between the Summer and Fall 2023 semesters will expire at the end of the Summer 2027 semester.

First Failure

Upon approval of a student’s examination committee (with no more than one member dissenting), and approval of the Department and Graduate and Professional School, a student who has failed a preliminary examination may be given one re-examination. In accordance with Student Rule 12.5, the student’s department head or designee, intercollegiate faculty, or graduate advisory committee should make a recommendation to the student regarding their scholastic deficiency.

Second Failure

Upon failing the preliminary exam twice in a doctoral program, a student is no longer eligible to continue to pursue the PhD in that program/major. In accordance with Student Rule 12.5.3 and/or 12.5.4, the student will be notified of the action being taken by the department as a result of the second failure of the preliminary examination.

Adequate time must be given to permit a student to address inadequacies emerging from the first preliminary examination. The examination committee must agree upon and communicate to the student, in writing, an adequate time-frame from the first examination (normally six months) to retest, as well as a detailed explanation of the inadequacies emerging from the examination. The student and committee should jointly negotiate a mutually acceptable date for this retest.  When providing feedback on inadequacies, the committee should clearly document expected improvements that the student must be able to exhibit in order to retake the exam.  The examination committee will document and communicate the time-frame and feedback within 10 working days of the exam that was not passed.

Candidates for the doctoral degrees must pass a final examination by deadline dates announced in the  Graduate and Professional School Calendar  each semester. A doctoral student is allowed only one opportunity to take the final examination.

No unabsolved grades of D, F, or U for any course can be listed on the degree plan. The student must be registered for any remaining hours of 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 791 or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog during the semester of the final exam. No student may be given a final examination until they have been admitted to candidacy and their current official cumulative and degree plan GPAs are 3.00 or better.

Refer to the  Admission to Candidacy  section of the graduate catalog for candidacy requirements.

A request to schedule the final examination must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School via ARCS a minimum of 10 working days in advance of the scheduled date. Any changes to the degree plan must be approved by the Graduate and Professional School prior to the submission of the request for final examination.

The student’s advisory committee will conduct this examination. Only one committee member substitution is allowed with the approval of the Graduate and Professional School. If the substitution is for the sole external member of the advisory committee - with an appointment to a department other than the student's major department - then the substitute must also be external to the student's major department. In extenuating circumstances, with the approval of the Graduate and Professional School, an exception to this requirement may be granted.

The final examination is not to be administered until the dissertation or record of study is available in substantially final form to the student’s advisory committee, and all concerned have had adequate time to review the document. Whereas the final examination may cover the broad field of the candidate’s training, it is presumed that the major portion of the time will be devoted to the dissertation and closely allied topics. Persons other than members of the graduate faculty may, with mutual consent of the candidate and the chair of the advisory committee, be invited to attend a final examination for an advanced degree. A positive vote by all members of the graduate committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on their exam. A department can have a stricter requirement provided there is consistency within all degree programs within a department. Upon completion of the questioning of the candidate, all visitors must excuse themselves from the proceedings.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Final Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Academic Requirements Completion System (ARCS) within 10 working days of completion of the final examination. The Graduate and Professional School will be automatically notified via ARCS of any cancellations.

A positive evaluation of the final exam by all members of a student’s advisory committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on their final exam. If an approved committee member substitution (1 only) has been made, their approval must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School via ARCS.

The dissertation,  which must be a candidate's original work demonstrates the ability to perform independent research . Whereas acceptance of the dissertation is based primarily on its scholarly merit, it must also exhibit creditable literary workmanship. Dissertation formatting must be acceptable to the Graduate and Professional School as outlined in the Guidelines for Theses, Dissertations, and Records of Study.

After successful defense and approval by the student’s advisory committee and the head of the student’s major department (or chair of intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), a student must submit the dissertation in electronic format as a single PDF file to https://etd.tamu.edu/ . Additionally, a dissertation approval form with original signatures must be received by the Graduate and Professional School through the Academic Requirements Completion System (ARCS). Both the PDF file and the completed ARCS approval form must be received by the deadline.

Deadline dates for submitting are announced each semester or summer term in the Graduate and Professional School Calendar (see Time Limit statement). These dates also can be accessed via the  Graduate and Professional School website .

Each student who submits a document for review is assessed a one-time thesis/dissertation processing fee through Student Business Services. This processing fee is for the thesis/dissertation services provided. After commencement, dissertations are digitally stored and made available through the Texas A&M Libraries.

A dissertation that is deemed unacceptable by the Graduate and Professional School because of excessive corrections will be returned to the student’s department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty . The manuscript must be resubmitted as a new document, and the entire review process must begin anew. All original submittal deadlines must be met during the resubmittal process to graduate.

Additional Requirements

Continuous registration, admission to candidacy.

• 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degree

Application for Degree

A student who enters the doctoral degree program with a baccalaureate degree must spend one academic year plus one semester in resident study at Texas A&M University. A student who holds master’s degree when they enter a doctoral degree program must spend one academic year in resident study. One academic year may include two adjacent regular semesters or one regular semester and one adjacent 10-week summer semester. The third semester is not required to be adjacent to the one year. Enrollment for each semester must be a minimum of 9 credit hours each to satisfy the residence requirement. A minimum of 1 credit hour must be in a non-distance education delivery mode. Semesters in which the student is enrolled in all distance education coursework will not count toward fulfillment of the residence requirement.

To satisfy the residence requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester or 10-week summer semester in resident study at Texas A&M University for the required period. A student who enters a doctoral degree program with a baccalaureate degree may fulfill residence requirements in excess of one academic year (18 credit hours) by registration during summer sessions or by completion of a less-than-full course load (in this context a full course load is considered 9 credit hours per semester).

Students who are employed full-time while completing their degree may fulfill total residence requirements by completion of less-than-full time course loads each semester. In order to be considered for this, the student is required to submit a Petition for Waivers and Exceptions along with verification of employment to the Graduate and Professional School. An employee should submit verification of employment at the time they submit the degree plan. See  Registration .

See  Residence Requirements .

All requirements for doctoral degrees must be completed within a period of ten consecutive calendar years for the degree to be granted. A course will be considered valid until 10 years after the end of the semester in which it is taken. Graduate credit for coursework more than ten calendar years old at the time of the final oral examination may not be used to satisfy degree requirements.

After passing the required preliminary oral and written examinations for a doctoral degree, the student must complete the final examination within four years of the semester in which the preliminary exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a preliminary exam taken and passed during the fall 2019 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A preliminary exam taken in the time between the summer and fall 2019 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester.

A final corrected version of the dissertation or record of study in electronic format as a single PDF file must be cleared by the Graduate and Professional School within one year of the semester in which the final exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a final exam taken and passed during the fall 2022 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A final exam taken in the time between the summer and fall 2022 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester. Failure to do so will result in the degree not being awarded.

A student in a program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy who has completed all coursework on their degree plan other than 691 (research) are required to be in continuous registration until all requirements for the degree have been completed. See  Continuous Registration Requirements .

To be admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree, a student must have:

• completed all formal coursework on the degree plan with the exception of any remaining 681, 684, 690 and 691, or 791.
• a 3.0 Graduate GPA and a Degree Plan GPA of at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan,
• passed the preliminary examination (written and oral portions),
• submitted an approved dissertation proposal,
• met the residence requirements. The final examination will not be authorized for any doctoral student who has not been admitted to candidacy.

A student is required to possess a competent command of English. For English language proficiency requirements, see the Admissions section of this catalog. The doctoral (PhD) foreign language requirement at Texas A&M University is a departmental option, to be administered and monitored by the individual departments of academic instruction.

99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees

In Texas, public colleges and universities are funded by the state according to the number of students enrolled. In accordance with legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, the number of hours for which state universities may receive subvention funding at the doctoral rate for any individual is limited to 99 hours. Texas A&M and other universities will not receive subvention for hours in excess of the limit.

Institutions of higher education are allowed to charge the equivalent of non-resident tuition to a resident doctoral student who has enrolled in 100 or more semester credit hours of doctoral coursework.

Doctoral students at Texas A&M have seven years to complete their degree before being charged out-of-state tuition. A doctoral student who, after seven years of study, has accumulated 100 or more doctoral hours will be charged tuition at a rate equivalent to out-of-state tuition. Please note that the tuition increases will apply to Texas residents as well as students from other states and countries who are currently charged tuition at the resident rate. This includes those doctoral students who hold GAT, GANT, and GAR appointments or recipients of competitive fellowships who receive more than $1,000 per semester. Doctoral students who have not accumulated 100 hours after seven years of study are eligible to pay in-state tuition if otherwise eligible.

Doctoral students who exceed the credit limit will receive notification from the Graduate and Professional School during the semester in which they are enrolled and exceeding the limit in their current degree program. The notification will explain that the State of Texas does not provide funding for any additional hours in which a student is enrolled in excess of 99 hours. Texas A&M University will recover the lost funds by requiring students in excess of 99 hours to pay tuition at the non-funded, non-resident rate. This non-funded, non-resident tuition rate status will be updated for the following semester and in all subsequent semesters until receipt of a doctoral degree. Please see the  Tuition Calculator  at the non-resident rate for an example of potential charges.

The following majors are exempt from the 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees and have a limit of 130 doctoral hours:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Health Services Research
• Medical Sciences
• Microbiology
• Neurosciences (College of Medicine)
• Oral and Craniofacial Biomedical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Public Health Sciences
• School Psychology

For information on applying for your degree, please visit the  Graduation  section.

Horticulture and Agronomy

Graduate Studies

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Master of Science

The Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group offers programs of study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees for students interested in the science and management of agricultural crops, including their ecology, physiology, genetics, and post-harvest management, as well as the interaction of agricultural crops with the environment. These programs are designed to focus on a cropping system, such as agronomy, environmental horticulture, pomology, vegetable crops, viticulture, and weed science. Within that cropping system, the student can specialize in one of a number of areas, including agroecology, biotechnology, breeding and crop improvement, crop physiology, crop production, floriculture, landscape horticulture, mineral nutrition, modeling, nursery production, pest management, plant growth and development, postharvest physiology, revegetation/restoration, and water relations. Research may be conducted within these areas with an applied or basic focus, but in association with a cropping system.

Graduate Program Requirements

Contact information.

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• Horticulture, PhD

The program provides graduate training leading to the doctor of philosophy in horticulture. Each doctoral student will have a major advisor who will supervise their program of study and their thesis research. Specializations are available in several aspects of crop science: organic and sustainable horticulture, diversified crop production for urban and regional food systems, environmental impact of horticultural practices, environmental regulation of plant growth and development, plant breeding, biochemistry and molecular biology of horticultural plants, microculture and biotechnology, weed control and herbicide physiology, and biostatistics. Students have the opportunity to develop their research projects using vegetables, fruits, trees, ornamentals, specialty crops, or model species such as Arabidopsis thaliana .

The PhD student’s dissertation project will involve an in-depth mentored exploration of a research question and the development of a dissertation in conjunction with a graduate committee of at least four faculty members. A public presentation and defense of the dissertation is required. 

The department houses research labs, controlled environment chambers, and greenhouse facilities. Field-plot areas with associated storage and laboratory facilities are available at the UW–Madison Arboretum , Horticulture Research Farm at Arlington , and the Agriculture Research Stations managed by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at selected locations throughout the state. In conjunction with the farm at Sturgeon Bay, the world's largest collection of tuber-bearing Solanums is maintained by the Inter-Regional Potato Introduction Project and is available for research use.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

The Horticulture graduate program accepts applications for fall, spring, and summer entry.  The applicant's academic preparation should include fundamental courses in the plant sciences such as botany, bacteriology, genetics, and physiology, as well as courses in chemistry (general, organic, quantitative), physics, mathematics, and biochemistry. The academic average should be at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) with evidence of proficiency in subjects related to agriculture and plant sciences.

Preparatory Coursework

Students are expected to enter the program having taken the following coursework. Deficient courses may be taken while in the program in consultation with the student's graduate committee. 

• Physics, including electricity, heat, and light
• Organic Chemistry lecture
• Organic Chemistry lab or Biochemistry lab
• Crop Production
• Plant Breeding or Genetics
• Plant Structure, Plant Taxonomy, or Plant Physiology
• Plant Pathology or Entomology
• One Statistics Course
• One Soil Science Course

Application Checklist

A complete application should include the following items:

• Graduate School Application and Application Fee
• Supplementary Application: The supplementary application will appear as a part of the Graduate School’s electronic application once the applicant selects Horticulture.
• Statement of Purpose: Your essay should be a concise description of your reasons for choosing to study horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Please include your research interests and career goals as well as a description of your preparation for graduate study including relevant coursework, related employment, research experience, publications, presentations, awards, and honors.  
• Transcripts: We require all applicants to submit an unofficial transcript in PDF format to their online application. If an applicant is recommended for admission, then they will be required to submit their official transcript to the Graduate School. International academic records must be submitted in the original language and accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the institution with an official seal/stamp and an official signature.
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Proof of English Proficiency: Applicants, whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must follow the Graduate School’s guidelines for proof of English proficiency.

Faculty Advisors

The Horticulture MS and PhD programs do not support lab rotations. All students are admitted directly into a faculty member’s lab. Thus, we strongly encourage applicants to contact faculty members who work in their areas of interest before and during the application and admissions process.

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

All applicants to the graduate program in Horticulture are automatically considered for financial support. There is no need to submit a separate application. Most of our students are supported through research assistantships, but additional sources of internal financial support include teaching assistantships, project assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships. 

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Mode of Instruction

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Specific course requirements .

The only specific course requirements for the PhD in Horticulture are HORT 799 Practicum in Horticulture Teaching and the seminar requirement, listed below.  Apart from these, each student is required to work with the major professor and the PhD committee to design a program of coursework that best meets the individual student's needs and interests. The resulting program of coursework must satisfy the program requirements as well as the requirements specified by the Graduate School. The final determination of a student's required coursework is made by the student's PhD committee as part of the certification process.

Seminar Requirement

During their graduate careers, students are required to present a minimum of three seminars in advanced seminar courses and receive a passing grade in each seminar. Advanced seminar courses offered by the departments other than the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Required Teaching / Outreach

All students in the Horticulture PhD program are required to enroll in HORT 799 Practicum in Horticulture Teaching for one semester and obtain a passing grade. Students may enroll in HORT 799 Practicum in Horticulture Teaching for 1 to 3 credits. Each student is expected to work with their PhD advisor to identify an opportunity within the department for the student to engage in teaching or outreach work. This requirement is broadly defined and could include assisting a Horticulture graduate program faculty member with their classroom teaching or working with a Horticulture graduate program faculty member on an extension or outreach project.

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate credits earned at other institutions.

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

Credits earned as a professional student at uw-madison (law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary careers), credits earned as a university special student at uw–madison.

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Every graduate student must have a faculty advisor (major professor) who is on the Horticulture graduate program faculty. The major professor advises the student about course work and supervises the student's research. The major professor must approve the student's coursework and research direction. A student may have more than one major professor, in which case at least one of the professors must be a member of the Horticulture graduate program faculty.

Students are responsible for forming their Graduate Committee before the end of the second semester, in accordance with current policy of the Graduate School and in consultation with their advisor. The role of this committee is to provide advice, approve the plan of study (certification), evaluate satisfactory progress, administer the preliminary examination and the dissertation defense (final examination). In addition to the student’s advisor, at least three committee members are needed, and the chair (or one of the co-chairs) must be Horticulture graduate faculty. The committee must represent more than one graduate program, including the PhD minor program when option A is selected. Many Horticulture graduate faculty are also graduate faculty in other programs (e.g., agronomy, agroecology, plant breeding & plant genetics) and therefore satisfy this requirement. Continuity in membership of the graduate committee through the student’s certification, preliminary exam, and final thesis defense is strongly encouraged.

Credits Per Term Allowed

Time limits.

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS)  (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.
• Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

The Horticulture Graduate programs encourage students to develop  Individual Development Plans  in collaboration with their major advisor to facilitate professional development. Besides the extensive opportunities offered across the campus at large, students in the Horticulture programs also benefit from activities and  programs provided by the  Plant Sciences Graduate Council , a student-led organization for graduate students at UW–Madison interested in plant science.

• Learning Outcomes
• Articulates challenges and limits with respect to knowledge within the field of horticulture.
• Independently formulates ideas and/or research methods to advance knowledge within the field of horticulture.
• Independently conducts research that makes a substantial contribution to the field of horticulture.
• Demonstrates understanding of the primary field of horticulture in a historical, social, or global context.
• Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner. 

• Fosters ethical conduct and professional guidelines.
• Fosters best practices with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific endeavors.

Ané , Colquhoun, Conley, de Leon, Goldman, Jahn, Kaeppler, S., Krysan (chair), Kucharik, Lauer, Renz,  Stoltenberg

Associate Professors

Atucha, Dawson, Endelman, Gutierrez, Jull, Kaeppler, H., Picasso, Wang, Werle

Assistant Professors 

Ellison, Hall, Kohmann, Kovaleski

• Requirements

Contact Information

Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Horticulture, PhD http://www.pasdept.wisc.edu

Kathryn Jones, Academic Advising Manager [email protected] 608-807-7391 386 Horticulture Building 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706

Jeffrey Endelman, Director of Graduate Studies [email protected] 608-250-0754 395 Horticulture Building 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture

• Fall January 10
• Spring July 1

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

Degree Description:

By enrolling in the graduate program in Horticulture at Washington State University, you form part of a team of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to the scientific and intellectual pursuit of knowledge in horticulture.

Depending on your career goals, your studies may concentrate on such basic sciences as plant physiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics, as well as horticulture. You may explore a variety of subjects, such as plant pathology, soil science, biological systems engineering, environmental science, or the social sciences to complement your graduate education. Keeping your interests and goals in mind, your research project, course requirements, teaching and/or Extension experiences for your graduate work will be individualized and determined with your   faculty advisor   and graduate committee.

All doctoral candidates must conduct independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation and publication of peer-reviewed research papers, with the objective of making a major contribution to the body of scientific knowledge in horticulture. Students in this degree option are expected to have completed a research-based master’s degree or to have research experience prior to enrolling in the doctoral program.

Admission Requirements:

Students with undergraduate majors in the plant sciences, including horticulture, crop science, plant pathology, environmental science, genetics, plant physiology, and biochemistry, may be well prepared for graduate work in Horticulture. If your undergraduate degree is not directly related to plants, you may be eligible by strengthening your preparation through enrollment in additional courses before applying, or while pursuing your graduate degree. Undergraduate students who are pursuing studies not related to plant science and who contemplate graduate work in horticulture should take as many courses in the basic physical and biological sciences as possible. Your graduate studies may be tailored for your individual background and needs.

In addition to meeting the WSU Graduate School’s  admission criteria,  acceptance of qualified applicants is generally dependent upon availability of research support and a suitable advisor.  Positions are limited and students are individually selected by faculty members with matching interests who have an opening for a graduate student.  A completed application is an effective and essential tool for faculty consideration.

Application requirements:

• WSU Graduate School Application .  This is an electronic application that requires a $90.00 application fee. The department does  not  offer application fee waivers.
• Statement of Professional Goals:  Please address such issues as interests, anticipated thesis research or areas of research interest, career objectives, experiences in research and teaching, and financial ability.
• Language Requirements for international students.    Please refer to the detailed information on the  Graduate School site .  Applicants who are required to submit exam scores will be held incomplete until those are received.
• Three letters of recommendation:  You will need to provide the names and email addresses of three people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you.  Once you choose your three recommenders, be sure to inform them that they will be completing the recommendation electronically and ask that they monitor their inbox for your recommendation request (which will come from  [email protected] ), including any junk or spam folders.
• Transcripts from every college and university you have attended  (photocopies are acceptable for initial application review, official transcripts are required for official admission to WSU).   

Career Opportunities:

University faculty positions; Federal and state agricultural laboratories; Extension specialists; management positions in allied and agricultural industries; technical positions; Postdoctoral positions.

Contact Information:

• CAHNRS Graduate Center [email protected]

Graduate Program in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Welcome to the graduate program information page for the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University!

Our graduate program offers thesis-based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science (M.S.) and Landscape Systems and Design Master of Science (M.S.) degrees. Reflecting the research interests of our faculty, graduate students in our program engage in projects that explore fundamental concepts of plant biology, applied aspects of horticulture, and landscape management. The research program in Purdue HLA is internationally recognized for its discoveries, extraordinary publication and extramural funding records, and the strong involvement of its excellent faculty in graduate student mentoring. Areas of concentration include plant molecular genetics and epigenetics, plant physiology and stress biology, plant genetics and breeding, plant cellular and developmental biology, sustainable production horticulture, bioenergy, contained environment growing, floriculture, weed science, turf management, horticultural marketing, landscape management, and horticultural social sciences.

Our goal is to prepare students through scholarly study and research experiences for professional careers in basic and applied plant science, with an emphasis on improving food, fiber, fuel, ornamental crops, and landscape management. We value diversity in our graduate program, and we recognize that diversity fosters creativity, drives scholarly dialogue, and enriches all activities in our department. We also recognize the unique needs and ambitions of our students. We are therefore committed to supporting the whole graduate education experience to create an environment that promotes student success and well-being. The personal, professional, and career development of each student is the central focus of our training and mentoring. We have implemented a holistic admissions process and we intentionally look to identify opportunities, programs, and initiatives that support students. Students participate in designing their thesis research and in the implementation of their course curriculum with plans of study tailored around each student’s needs, interests, and future career goals. HLA graduate students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of professional development offerings at Purdue and to be involved with departmental, college, and university-level organizations. HLA has a vibrant and welcoming graduate student association which provides incoming students an opportunity to connect with peers. Students are also able to expand their professional networks outside the university through interactions with seminar speakers, research collaborators, and colleagues at professional society meetings. We actively celebrate and promote the scholarly achievements of our students through a variety of platforms to increase their visibility in the department, university, and larger scientific community.

Faculty in the program conduct extramurally-funded research on such topics as:

• Controlled environment agriculture
• Horticultural Economics and Marketing
• Specialty crop production
• Landscape Systems and Design
• Plant breeding and genome engineering
• Plant secondary metabolism
• Improvement of postharvest fruit quality
• Plant mineral nutrition
• Mineral nutrient utilization from cellular to global scales
• Postharvest physiology
• Plant cell cycle regulation
• Plant epigenetics
• Plant interactions with soil microbial communities
• Regulation of plant architecture and reproduction
• Sustainable biofuel production
• Turf grass science
• Stress tolerance in crop plants
• Water utilization and stress responses
• Weed science in specialty crops and technology

Graduate Handbook - Rules and Regulations Visit Purdue

Graduate Curriculum

Students enter the graduate program with different professional objectives and varying academic backgrounds. Therefore, there are few required courses and credit requirements in our M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs. However, M.S. and Ph.D. students generally take 24 or more credit hours of coursework. Students are advised to work with the advisory committee that they select to schedule coursework that will complement their research plan. Graduate programs generally include required and elective course work and seminars, written and oral examinations, and original research guided by a major professor. Graduate student research projects are generally funded by extramural grants, which usually increase the resources available to the student researcher. Participation by graduate researchers at professional society meetings is actively encouraged and financially supported by the department.

Graduate Faculty

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture has an outstanding faculty representing a broad range of disciplines within horticulture and landscape architecture. These individuals can provide training opportunities in their areas of specialization. We recommend that potential students identify particular faculty members who share their academic interests and contact these individuals directly.

Graduate Faculty in Horticulture and Area of Specialization

Research Facilities

Modern research laboratories and state-of-the-art analytical equipment are available for graduate student research in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, which also maintains greenhouses, controlled environment facilities, and several research farms.

Graduate students have access to one of the most extensive online libraries in the world and have access to extensive bioinformatics platforms, many of which have been developed at Purdue in collaboration with members of the HLA Department.

Financial Aid

Most HLA graduate students receive financial support in the form of research and teaching assistantships, fellowships and/or other awards covering living expenses while working on their degree. These assistantships are like fellowships in that students are paid to pursue their own research projects. The assistantship provides a base salary for each fiscal year period, along with a remission of all but a portion of fees, $298.00 for fall/spring per semester and $149.00 summer session. Research assistantships may be sponsored by grants or by the department. We try to provide all graduate students with the opportunity to be a Teaching Assistant for at least one semester; students selected to be Teaching Assistants will be provided a teaching assistantship for that semester at the same rate of pay as the research assistantship.

Application Procedures

Admission criteria and selection for fellowships and assistantships is based upon several criteria. These include: the student's academic background, grade point average, letters of recommendation, relevant experience, a written statement by the applicant, answers to department-specific questions, and the availability of a major adviser in an applicant's interest area.

Applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL, even if they are already in the United States when they apply. Purdue University Graduate School applicants who take the TOEFL IBT must achieve the following minimum test scores: reading 19; listening 14; speaking 18 and writing 18. As an alternative to the TOEFL, the Graduate School accepts IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher.

Students who are interested in being considered for Purdue University-wide fellowships should apply by   December 1st   for summer or fall admission. Applications for the HLA Graduate Program are otherwise accepted year-round. For timely review of the application that are submitted after the Dec 1 st deadline,   applicants should identify specific HLA faculty member who share their academic interests and contact these faculty directly before submitting their application, which will then be reviewed with support from the graduate faculty. To obtain instructions on how to apply to this program, please go to the  Graduate School Application .

Contact Information

Related web sites.

• Purdue University Interdisciplinary Life Science Ph.D. program (PULSe)
• Graduate School Electronic Application
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Living in Lafayette - West Lafayette

The home of Purdue University is Indiana’s Lafayette-West Lafayette area. Conveniently located one hour northwest of Indianapolis and two hours southeast of Chicago, Lafayette-West Lafayette offers a small-town atmosphere with convenient and easy access to major metropolitan cities.

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Purdue University was founded in 1869 as a land grant institution. Today, Purdue University is one of the 25 largest universities in the nation and includes four campuses across the State of Indiana.

On the West Lafayette campus, the University offers over 160 graduate programs with more than 600 research and study areas organized in 12 colleges and schools within the Graduate School. Approximately 46,000 students are enrolled at the West Lafayette campus, including over 10,000 graduate and professional students. In 2021, the College of Agriculture ranked as the #7 Agriculture program in the U.S.

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College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Graduate program.

One of the strengths of the Horticulture Graduate Program is founded in the interdisciplinary and integrative nature of horticulture, allowing graduate students a great deal of flexibility in designing their individualized programs of study and research.

Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers, and both on- and off-campus field research stations.

Horticulture faculty  develop and procure funding for individual and multidisciplinary team research projects, providing a wide range of opportunities for master's and doctoral students. To view the department's research areas, which includes a listing of faculty's specific focus, visit our Research Focus Area page .

A graduate degree in the Horticulture Graduate Program draws upon the expertise of roughly 30 faculty members in the Horticulture Department, as well as the advisory expertise of many faculty from across campus in basic plant biology, pathology, entomology, forestry, agronomy, genetics, biochemistry, marketing, food science, health and nutrition, engineering, etc.

Students also may study with Horticulture faculty through interdepartmental programs in Genetics, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems .

At MSU , work towards the graduate degree involves training and experience in research, teaching and professional communications with peers, industries and the public. It is the goal of the Horticulture Graduate Program to produce the leaders of tomorrow who can integrate knowledge and resources from multiple disciplines to improve the performance, production, profitability, and environmental sustainability of high value crops.

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Research Focus Areas

• Landscapes, Gardens and Urban Food Production
• Plant and Crop Physiology and Biochemistry
• Plant Breeding, Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology
• Sustainable Crop Production, Food Systems and Agroecology

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College of Agricultural Sciences

• Graduate Studies in Horticulture
• Ph.D. in Horticulture Program...

Ph.D. in Horticulture Program of Study

72 credits are required for completion of a PhD degree. This may include 30 credits from a completed Plan A Master’s program.

Required:  Hort 792 – Seminar.  PhD students must register twice and present twice. First presentation should be done in year 2 of the graduate program and will be a proposal type seminar (~20 min). The second presentation will be a full seminar (~40 min) and should be done at the end of the student’s graduate program to align with the Ph.D. defense.

Highly encouraged:  HORT 680A1 – Topics in Horticulture (offered in Fall) and HORT 500 – Graduate Student Professional Development (offered in Spring).  Ideally students should take both courses in the first year of their program. HORT 500 should be taken prior to giving an oral presentation in HORT 792

All PhD students are expected to gain teaching experience in a lecture or laboratory course for at least one semester.  This requirement may be met through experience as a GTA or by enrolling in HORT 798 “Supervised College Teaching”. International students may satisfy this requirement through registration in a teaching seminar. For students pursuing academic positions, completion of the Graduate Teaching Certificate is recommended.

Remaining credits: Remaining credit requirements can be made up with any combination of approved 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 level courses. Students cannot take more than 12 credits of approved 300 and 400 level courses (not including courses taken in a previous Master’s program). At least 21 credits must be in 500 or higher-level courses of which at least 12 must be regular lecture courses.

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Students & recent graduates

Begin your search, pathways program.

The Pathways Program offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates and those with an advanced degree. There are three different paths available.

New changes are coming soon that will expand opportunities to participants in "qualifying career or technical education programs" (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps)

The Internship Program is for current students. If you're a current student in high school, college, trade school or another qualifying educational institution, you may be eligible. This program offers paid opportunities to work in federal agencies and explore federal careers while completing your education.

Learn more about the Internship Program .

The Recent Graduates Program is for those who have graduated, within the past two years, from a qualifying educational institution or certificate program. The Recent Graduates Program offers career development with training and mentorship.

You must apply within two years of getting your degree or certificate (veterans have up to six years to apply due to their military service obligation).

Learn more about the Recent Graduates Program .

• Have completed an advanced degree from a qualifying educational institution or program within the past two years of the annual application opening date.
• Expect to complete all advanced degree requirements, including the completion or successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation, by August 31 of the next year, from the opening date of the annual application announcement.

Email [email protected] for questions related to the Presidential Management Fellows Program. Questions about a specific announcement found on USAJOBS should be sent to the hiring agency using the contact information in the announcement.

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• Enrolled in or pursuing a bachelor's or graduate degree on at least a half-time basis.

Learn more about the Post-Secondary Student Hiring Authority .

This program is for those who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree within the last two years. Veterans may have up to six years to apply. The program offers appointments to a permanent position.

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There are several other opportunities available to students, including:

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Horticulture and Crop Science in United States

Why Study Horticulture and Crop Science in United States

• Studying Horticulture and Crop Science in United States is a great choice, as there are 16 universities that offer PhD degrees on our portal.
• Over 957,000 international students choose United States for their studies, which suggests you’ll enjoy a vibrant and culturally diverse learning experience and make friends from all over the world.
• We counted 120 affordable PhD degrees in United States , allowing you to access quality higher education without breaking the bank. Moreover, there are 293 available scholarships you can apply to.

33  Horticulture and Crop Science PhDs in United States

Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics This Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics program at University of Georgia ensures broad training while... University of Georgia Athens, Georgia, United States

Horticulture Graduate study in Horticulture at Auburn University emphasizes the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy... Auburn University Auburn, Alabama, United States

Horticulture By enrolling in the graduate program in Horticulture at Washington State University, you form part of a team... Washington State University Pullman, Washington, United States

Study in United States

The United States is home to some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in the world. With over 150 universities featured in international rankings, the U.S. has some of the best business schools, medical schools, and engineering schools. Universities and colleges in the U.S. are well known for academic flexibility and ways to customize your study experience with optional studies and extracurricular activities. Depending on where you will be studying, you will be able to visit iconic places like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Goldengate Bridge, The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, and much more.

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Take the test and find out which country is your best fit.

Explore your Horticulture and Crop Science degree

Horticulture and Crop Science degrees prepare specialists for the cultivation and processing of plants, including edible plants (fruits, vegetables, seeds) and ornamental plants. Horticulture and Crop Science courses teach future graduates about conservation techniques, landscape restoration, and garden design. Horticulturalists' work teaches us how plants provide us nutrition, reduce our carbon footprint, and aesthetically improve living spaces.

Is Horticulture and Crop Science the best for you?

Take the test and find out if Horticulture and Crop Science is the right path for you.

Horticulture and Crop Science Scholarships and Financial Aid in United States

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Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture

Pursuing a phd as an international student, why get a phd.

• Love for a subject
• Feat of research , critical thought, and dedication
• Make a difference through research
• Become an expert in the field and obtain increased recognition
• Widen career opportunities –set you apart from other candidates with Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees
• Increased salary
• Teaching at university level
• Read more here on choosing the right PhD program

Where do I start?

1.     understand the timeline.

• Most applications for graduate programs due in December
• Some are rolling admissions (particularly law school)–the sooner you can submit, the better!
• Medical school application timelines tend to vary

2.     Research universities and specific programs you are interested in

• Go to faculty directory on the university website and visit homepages of professors doing research in your interest area
• Read their papers to have a better understanding of what they focus on
• Discuss how your own experiences and interests align with the professor's
• Helpful tips for how to write a CV  
• Shows you are very interested in what they research
• If they say they don’t have funding, you can offer to search for outside funding (see #4)
• Stepping stone to PhD
• A good way to meet and work with professors 
• Ensures program research is best fit for your interests
• Shorter time commitment (1-2 years) 

3.     Sign up for standardized tests 

• Determines international applicants English language skills
• Read here for tips on how to ace these exams
• Research program you are interested in to see if it is required before signing up
• Cost: $200 USD
• Tests math, reading, and writing skills

4.      Ask for letters of recommendation

• Typically programs ask for three
• Shows work ethic and teamwork skills
• Undergraduate professor who can attest to this 
• List of schools and admission deadlines
• CV and resume
• Copies of admissions essays
• Relevant research and work experience 
• Make sure to follow up with recommenders periodically
• Read here for more tips on acquiring recommendation letters

5.      Request transcripts from previous institutions

• Must include: full legal name, name of college/university, list of all coursework taken with grades, any degree already earned, overall GPA
• Official translations include: 1) Translation by university that issued transcript 2) WES , IERF ,  or ECE evaluation 3) Government certified translator 
• Diploma and/or degree certificate

6.    Write Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement

• Directions on how to write these statements varies with institutions
• What is your background?
• How has your personal story influenced what you want to study?
• What do you bring to the program?
• How will the faculty/program assist you in pursuing this?
• How will the program/school’s resources assist you?
• What is your academic background? 
• What are your research goals?
• What do you hope to accomplish in the program?
• How will your past experiences contribute to your role as a PhD candidate?
• Find their pages on university website and read their published research
• Read here for more tips on writing a statement of purpose
• Helpful to have edited by someone who has already applied and was accepted into U.S. graduate program
• Send to recommenders to help with their letters

7.    Gather all materials and submit application !  

• Usually about $50 USD

8.    Prepare for Interview

• Depends on program, some don’t require one
• Tips on how to prepare for the interview if it is required

I've  been admitted. What now?

1.     obtain student visa  .

• F-1 student visa given to students qualified to pursue full course of study at American academic institution
• J-1 exchange visitor visa granted to student supported financially by sources other than family/personal funds (ex. U.S. government or home government)

Must show evidence of sufficient financial resources to fund your studies and living expenses

Request form  I-20 (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) from your institution and the designated school official (DSO) will send it to you

Pay SEVIS I-901 fee

• Must carry minimum of 12 units 
• Non-immigrant students cannot work outside the university without work authorization from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (UCIS) for the first academic year , unless considered a special situation
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training Extension
• More info on the student visas and employment here
• For more general info on student visas, read here
• Look at page 15 of this s tep-by-step guide for more info on obtaining a student visa   

2.    Look for funding

• Usually merit-based
• Can last from one year to whole duration of student’s study
• Used to sponsor student and their proposed research
• If provided through the department, applicants usually don’t have to fill out extra application
• If extra documentation required, department will contact applicant
• Depends on number of hours worked per week
• Support faculty in their various courses
• Grading, preparing course material, and in some cases teaching portions of the course
• Support faculty in their labs with their research
• Gifts that do not need to be paid back post-graduation
• See 20 PhD scholarships for international students to find out more
• See Scholarships for international students to find specific scholarships and grants for graduate students
• Enables international graduate students to study and conduct research in the U.S.
• Awards approximately 4,000 scholarships a year
• Advancing women in STEM fields
• $20,000 for international female students seeking doctoral degrees
• Must already hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• See International student scholarship search database for a comprehensive list of scholarships available to international students
• Can borrow up to the full cost of education and related expenses
• Often requires credit-worthy cosigner who is US citizen or non-citizen permanent resident
• Find out more about obtaining a loan at IEFA and International Student Loan

3.     Look for housing

• Visit university website to find housing resources
• graduate student housing may be available through the university
• advertise you are looking for a place 
• find roommates
• specific groups exist for graduate students/professionals
• housing openings often posted on Facebook marketplace
• Research websites such as apartments.com  or apartmentlist.com  for rental openings in your prospective location
• Include utilities (electricity, water, wifi) as part of your monthly rent bill
• Target international students
• Post ads on reputable rental sites
• Will ask for advance payment of security deposit before you can visit the premises
• Will use a real address but fake pictures of inside of home
• More info on common scams to look out for and how to avoid them

4.     Get all required immunizations

• Look up requirements for your university on the student health services page
• If you are not able to obtain all required vaccinations in your home country, you may be able to get them with student health services when you arrive

holds may be placed on your registration until you have fulfilled all immunization requirements   

Other Resources:

• Read the  International Student and Scholar Handbook and the UC Davis International Applicants page for more detailed descriptions of everything you need to know to apply to UC Davis
• Refer to the International Applicant’s Guide to a PhD for more general information about how to apply to doctoral programs in the U.S.

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Horticulture Graduate Studies

Graduate study offered in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences leads to the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Horticulture. The Horticulture concentration within the Plant and Soil Sciences degrees also offers a minor in Floral Management. A graduate degree in Plant and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Horticulture allows students to gain expertise in plant genetics, nutrition, marketing, and a myriad of other topics.

Master of Science - Thesis Option

The Master's of Science degree in Plant and Soil Sciences with a horticulture concentration is a research degree program. The 30-hour curriculum includes an exit seminar to describe the thesis research, a graduate-level statistics course, a minimum of 12 hours of 8000-level course credits, and a thesis defense.

Master of Science - Non-Thesis Option

The Master's of Science degree in Plant and Soil Sciences with a horticulture concentration is a research degree program. The 30-hour curriculum includes an exit seminar to describe the thesis research, a graduate-level statistics course, a minimum of 15 hours of 8000-level course credits, a research paper, and comprehensive examination.

• Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy is a 40 hour program that includes original research and a dissertation. Students participate in two seminars: the first seminar includes the research proposal and review of literature, the second seminar is an exit seminar to describe the results of the dissertation research.

Floral Management Minor

The Horticulture concentration within the Plant and Soil Sciences graduate degrees also offers a minor in Floral Management. The minor is available for graduate students seeking training in this field to complement their graduate degree. Students seeking the minor are required to complete the 12-hour program.

Scientists in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences conduct numerous research projects to improve horticultural production efficiency while reducing disease and pests. Graduate research assistantships may be available, dependent on funding. Contact one of our scientists to determine if assistantships are available.

• Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture Dr. Shaun Broderick Dr. Christine Coker Dr. Cole Etheredge Dr. Richard Harkess Dr. Patricia Knight
• Ornamental Horticulture and Specialty Crops Dr. Guihong Bi Dr. Tongyin Li
• M.S. Graduate Student Policy (Thesis Option)
• M.S. Graduate Student Policy (Non-Thesis Option)

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Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Farm Management / Agribusiness

Position Overview At the School of Agriculture and Environment (SAE) Massey University, we are committed to advancing education and research in agricultural, horticultural , and environmental science that

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Position Details Position Information Department Horticulture (AHT) Position Title Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Job Title Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Appointment Type Academic Faculty

Scientist (m/f/d) in the field of Assessment of N-Emissions in Field Vegetable Cultivation

for candidates with a Master or Diploma degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture , biology, environmental protection, or related fields, preferably with a PhD experience in nitrogen dynamics in soil-plant

Lecturer in Urban Horticulture (Multiple Opportunities)

the ability to work collaboratively and collegially within a diverse workforce. You will also have: Completion of a PhD in urban horticulture , urban ecology, urban design, landscape architecture or a related

Postdoctoral Research Associate

. Other | 5% Perform other related project duties as required. Required Qualifications: PhD in Plant Biology, Horticulture , or related field at time of hire. Experience in plant physiology research

Researcher Advanced Cultivation Systems Greenhouse Horticulture

responsibilities are, among others: you acquire and execute projects in the field of greenhouse horticulture , aimed at the design of new cultivation systems and optimization of current cultivation systems; you

Post-Doctoral Scholar

| Horticulture and Crop Science This is a temporary position and is funded from external sources. Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funds. The successful candidate will provide

Junior Group Leader (f/m/div) in the Field of Vegetable Cultivation

horticulture . The IGZ conducts research at the interface between plants, humans and the environment. In doing so, we address systemic and global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, urbanization

Indigenous Horticulturist

, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment of students and staff. Required Qualifications: A PhD degree in horticulture , applied plant sciences, or related fields. Evidence of the ability to lead and manage

Lecturer in Production Horticulture

of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences seeks an academic passionate about production horticulture and first-year teaching. This role involves fostering opportunities within and outside the university

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Doctoral scholarship holder (PhD) phytohormone physiology and biochemistry

Let’s shape the future - University of AntwerpThe University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, c...

PhD Student plant sensors and modelling for tomato

Last application date Jul 31, 2024 00:00Department LA21 - Department of Plants and CropsContract Limited durationDegree Master degree in Bioscience engineering, Biosciences, Horticultural sciences, Biology, Engineering, or an equivalent relevant d...

Discover related jobs: PhD positions in Agricultural Science

Doctoral (PhD) student position to establish cell therapy for Diabetes, within National ATMP school

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an indiv...

PhD position 'Harnessing compost microbes for new crop protection products against foliar diseases' 100%

Do you want to develop new sustainable plant protection products based on microorganisms and their metabolites? Copper fungicides, which are still widely used due to a lack of efficient alternative...

Assistant department Food Technology, Safety and Health (27297)

    →   Apply until 30/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)    →   Faculty of Bioscience Engineering    →   Department BW23 - Food Technology, Safety and Health    →   AAP temporary appointment - 100%    →   Number of openings: 1    →   Refe...

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International Fully Funded PhD Positions in the Life Sciences in Switzerland

*New application deadlines for two open calls per year: November 1 and May 1!Life Science Zurich Graduate School offers more than 100 funded PhD positions. With around 500 research groups and more than 1600 Ph.D. students, the Life Science Zurich ...

PhD position in 'Effects of Pollution at the Ecosystem Level'

The Faculty of Science and the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) are looking for:PhD candidate | Environmental impact assessment of pollution at the ecosystem level (0.8-1.0 fte)Vacancy number: (14994)BackgroundThe freshwater system and it...

PhD candidate on soil fungal ecology

Vacancy number 15004Job type Academic staffHours (in fte) 1,0External/ internal ExternalLocation LeidenPlaced on 16 July 2024Closing date 25 August 2024 39 more days to applyThe Institute of Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science at Leiden Uni...

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IoT in agriculture: Development of novel sensor technology for online milk quality and cow health and welfare monitoring (PhD)

Optimization and intensification of livestock production are widely encouraged to meet the increasing demands for livestock products and to contribute to improving the livelihoods of rural househol...

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Teaching and Research Assistant (PhD student) in Food Science-Ghent University Global campus, Korea

Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) is an integrated campus of Ghent University, Belgium, and the first European university to be part of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Incheon, South Korea. Ghent University Global Campus currently offers Ba...

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Numerous Funded PhD Positions Available for International Students at Top Universities in Europe, the UK, and Ireland

Exciting Fully Funded PhD Opportunities for International Students at Top Universities in 🇪🇺 Europe, the 🇬🇧 UK, and 🇮🇪 Ireland

We are thrilled to announce a diverse range of fully funded PhD positions available at prestigious universities across Europe, the UK, and Ireland. This unique opportunity is open to applicants from all nationalities, providing a platform to advance your academic career and contribute to cutting-edge research at leading institutions including:

• University of Galway 🇮🇪
• University College Dublin 🇮🇪
• Universität Leipzig 🇩🇪
• Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops 🇩🇪
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• Technical University Darmstadt 🇩🇪
• Bordeaux INP 🇫🇷
• Institut Neel MRS 🇫🇷
• Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) 🇧🇪
• CIC energiGUNE 🇪🇸
• Universitat de Barcelona 🇪🇸
• Swansea University 🇬🇧
• Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences 🇵🇱
• Center for Theoretical Physics PAS 🇵🇱
• Institute for Research in Biomedicine (Bellinzona) 🇨🇭
• University of Zagreb School of Medicine 🇭🇷

These fully funded PhD positions offer the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects and collaborate with renowned faculty and researchers. We encourage all qualified international applicants to explore these exciting opportunities and take the next step in their academic and research careers.

These positions span a wide array of courses and programs at prestigious universities across Europe including: biological sciences, biochemistry, biodiversity, biological engineering, neurosciences, medical sciences, cancer research, plant sciences, agricultural sciences, environmental science, earth science, water science, physics, quantum mechanics, chemistry, engineering, materials science, computer science, and more.

Apply now for doctoral (PhD) positions at these esteemed institutions, such as:

PhD Student in Improvement of biomethane yields from agricultural feedstock, University of Galway (Ireland)

PhD Student in Machine Learning of Multi-Species Microbial Consortia Representations, Universität Leipzig (Germany)

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Graduate Student Instructor - Anthropology

Extended site maintenance.

We are performing updates and maintenance to our applicant experience. As a result, the site will be unavailable Saturday, July 27th at 9pm EST through Sunday, July 28th at 7:30am EST. During this outage period, applications for job postings can not be submitted.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit through the UM Jobs portal (at umjobs.org) as one document their CV/resume, transcript, and teaching evaluation scores. (The role of teaching evaluations in the selection process is to provide some evidence of past performance as a GSI.) External applicants will also be required to enter contact information for a reference.

Course Description

Introduction to Anthropology.  In the Fall term anthrcul 101 students are introduced to anthropology and its four subdisciplines (archaeological, biological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology).

The students learn about contemporary work in anthropology through a sustained focus on questions of race and ethnicity and productions of inequality, historically and in the present, in the United States and beyond.  The course looks especially at cultural and ethnic diversity, and the interactions leading to structures of dominance, inequality, and resistance. It teaches students ways of learning and thinking about the world's many designs for living in time and space. Topics covered include the nature of culture and language, as well as definitions of race and ethnicity in the context of colonialism and in the present. The course surveys the widest range of human existence.  The course covers primate (monkey and ape) social behavior as it relates to human evolution, the limits and contours of actually existing human biological variation (in contrast to the idea of racial classifications), the emergence of agriculture and human settlement, systems of marriage, kinship, and family structures. The course considers how race and ethnicity intersect with economics, politics, religion, sex and gender divisions in global perspective.

Additionally, students meet once a week in small discussion groups to participate in reflective dialogues and complete projects.  

Responsibilities*

The Department of Anthropology is recruiting one 50% GSI for anthrcul 101 (three discussion sections) Fall 2024 term.  The GSI will work closely with the faculty instructor to provide high-quality instruction and student support for this course.  

Attendance at all course lectures. Lead three discussion sections.  Attend and be prepared for weekly planning meetings with Instructor (complete the readings and have plans/ideas on how to run discussion sections).  Grade all assignments/exams, provide feedback to students.  Post office hours and hold at least two hours of office hours each week.  Maintain attendance records.

Required Qualifications*

Must be admitted as a graduate student when applying and enrolled in good standing at the University of Michigan at the start of Fall 2024 semester.  Completed one year of graduate study in Anthropology or courses in closely related field at the University of Michigan.  Outstanding ability to effectively teach and evaluate undergraduate students.  Have a GPA of 3.0, not have exceeded LSA's Ten Term Rule. In addition to the general Rackham rules, must have no more than one Incomplete on record.  Speak English or meet the minimum threshold for the Oral English Test at the University of Michigan.

Desired Qualifications*

• Outstanding ability to effectively teach and evaluate undergraduate students.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience teaching or working with diverse student populations

Contact Information

Lisa Parisi: [email protected] ? 734-764-7275

Decision Making Process

Deadline to submit application: August 7, 2024

Selection Process

Complete applications must be submitted as outlined in this posting and received by the application deadline to be considered.  Selection criteria include merit, teaching experience, and relevant academic preparation for teaching course material will all be considered when selecting GSIs for courses.

Preference will be given to Anthropology graduate students to whom funding commitments are owed, followed by other Anthropology graduate students and then students from outside the department who are qualified.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

• Apply to UMaine

Position Available: Laboratory Technician at CORE Operating Research Entities (CORE)

Title: Laboratory Technician I

Department: Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE)

Reports To: Environmental DNA Lab Coordinator 

The University of Maine’s Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE) seeks to hire a Laboratory Technician for the Sequencing Facilities and Freezer Program. The Laboratory Technician supports the mission of CORE by performing analyses in the UMaine Sequencing Facilities, which provides fee-based services related to genetics sequencing and environmental DNA testing to the UMS research and educational community, as well as external stakeholders.  The Laboratory Technician will also assist with the UMaine Freezer Program, which provides administrative support in the procurement of genetics/biochemistry-related laboratory chemicals and supplies for the UMS research community.  

Essential Functions:

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

Required: 

Work Environment:

The primary site of work will be on-campus facilities at the University of Maine. 

Work Schedule:

Normal University of Maine business hours are Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 20 hour week schedule can be determined by semester to fit within these hours.

Position Type:

Graduate Assistantship; 20 hours/week

Compensation:

Master’s Degree Stipend: $1,888.89/mos., Doctoral Student Stipend: $2,222.22/mos., up to 6 credits for spring and fall each, and 50% of GA health insurance

Performance Evaluation Schedule:

Performance evaluation will be conducted annually 

Appropriate background checks are required.

All UMS employees are required to comply with applicable policies and procedures, as well as to complete applicable workplace-related screenings, and required employee training, such as Information Security, Safety Training, Workplace Violence, and Sexual Harassment. 

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Teaching the Next Generation: WashU Dance MFA Graduates Secure Full-Time Positions in Higher Education

After years of dedicated training and artistic pursuit, the cohort of recent graduates from the Washington University in St. Louis MFA in Dance program have triumphed in their post-graduate journey by securing full-time positions in higher education.

Founded in 2016, the WashU MFA in Dance program is the only one in the state of Missouri and draws students both nationally and internationally who seek to strengthen their professional credentials. The program combines rigorous studio training in a variety of genres, in-depth artistic development in choreography, and a top-tier liberal arts education. The program especially attracts students with intellectual curiosity who seek to understand how dance operates in a socio-political context. In her first year as Director of Graduate Studies in Dance, Associate Professor Joanna Dee Das hit the ground running, encouraging the MFA students to apply to positions in higher education and providing considerable support. She arranged mock interviews, mock job talks, and even helped negotiate job offers. The work paid off. For the first time in the history of the program, both members of the graduating cohort have secured full-time faculty positions for the fall.

Caroline Gonsalves Bertho will be on faculty at Valdosta State University in Georgia, teaching in its dance department and developing a much-needed hip hop curriculum. Emily Duggins Ehling will be on faculty in the Theatre Department at the University of Missouri, where she will be teaching, choreographing, and developing a dance curriculum.

A native of Brazil, Bertho knew from the beginning that this program was the right fit: "From the first time I talked to Christine Knoblauch-O'Neal [former Director of Graduate Studies in Dance] on Zoom—before I even applied—I felt that the community at WashU would be very welcoming for anyone….I thought we would have a lot of support from every faculty [member], and we did….it was incredible."

Such support was necessary for Bertho, Ehling, and the Performing Arts Department as a whole when the third member of their cohort, Amarnath Ghosh , had his aspirations tragically cut short when he was killed in an act of senseless violence. He had just returned from a very successful campus visit and was a finalist for a full-time position at a university. He brought beauty, love, joy, and peace to the world through his gift of dance and his spirit lives on in the lives of those he touched.

Amarnath’s death was a terrible blow to the WashU community and all who knew him. Yet in the midst of their grief and their preparations for their final concert, Bertho and Ehling continued to pursue their post-graduate dreams. Higher education positions, particularly in dance, are at a premium, and are particularly difficult to secure while still in graduate school. Nonetheless, that is what this cohort accomplished.

Ehling got her undergraduate degree from WashU in 2018 with a double-major in dance and psychology. For her undergraduate senior thesis she started City Dance, a student group that brings free dance classes into the St. Louis community—a program that continues to this day. Before returning to the Performing Arts Department, she self-produced five shows in St. Louis, worked as an independent choreographer, danced with MADCO (Modern American Dance Company), and was a founding company member with Resilience Dance Company before shifting into teaching, choreographing and dramaturgy.

 “ My time as an undergrad helped me expand the ways that I thought about dance more broadly, and during my time as a graduate student, I was able to place myself within this context. I intentionally took as many lecture courses as possible with Joanna [Das] because of my interest in dramaturgy,” says Ehling. “Being able to talk about and write about dance is important—being able to contextualize dance and contextualize myself and my own practice and my own aesthetics within history.” Ehling also benefited from WashU’s liberal arts approach, which encourages interdisciplinary inquiry. “The ability to take classes in the theater program gave me the chance to shape what I wanted to be studying. It gave me the opportunity to gain a lot of knowledge about theater and build an interest in the intersection between methods in dance and theater,” said Ehling. “Learning different tools and approaches to art has always been valuable to me….WashU gave me the chance to tie all of those things together and set me up to be able to build from here.”

Both students grew as pedagogues as well. “Having the opportunity to teach [through an MTE] gave me the experience of working with the students and building the syllabus in the US perspective, which is different from Brazil,” said Bertho. “Taking classes from different professors, I got to see how they each treat the syllabus, how they build their classes, how they insert readings in the curriculum, how much we can give the students with practice and theory, and how to balance and put it all together. Seeing different perspectives was very important for me to understand ways that I can build my own class.”

Before coming to WashU, Bertho graduated from Unicamp, the State University of Campinas, Brazil, studied at the Royal Academy of Dance Technic (BRA) and trained at “The H+ Hip Hop Dance Conservatory” in New York. She studied and taught Hip-Hop dance for thirteen years, mainly working with the community project “Grupo Performance de Rua” (BRA)—a non-profit Hip-Hop dance collective that produces shows, festivals, and promotes Hip Hop culture events. She has worked as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and producer of festivals, shows, and dance films.

“The program is very enriching,” said Bertho. “It was two years that I know I will remember, for all my life. It was an amazing experience that I for sure wouldn't have had in my country, and I'm really grateful for it.”

Das has high hopes for the future. With a strong rising second-year cohort that has already won several fellowships and presented at international conferences, and an incoming cohort that includes two professional dancers from nationally-prestigious dance companies, Washington University’s MFA in Dance program is poised to continue to produce leaders in the field.

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