Program Overview
Horticulture, MS
The program provides graduate training leading to the master of science in horticulture. Each MS 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.
Admissions
Admissions to the Horticulture MS will be suspended as of fall 2026 and will be discontinued as of fall 2029. Students interested in the Horticulture MS may want to consider the Plant Science and Technology MS, a new program as of Fall 2025. This new program replaces the Horticulture MS.
- Fall Deadline: December 1
- Spring Deadline: September 1
- Summer Deadline: December 1
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required
- English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy
- Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
- Letters of Recommendation Required: 3
Program 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 Schools 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
- Transcripts: We require all applicants to submit an unofficial transcript in PDF format to their online application
- 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 Schools guidelines for proof of English proficiency
Preparatory Coursework
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.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.
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.
Requirements
Mode of Instruction
- Face to Face: Yes
- Evening/Weekend: No
- Online: No
- Hybrid: No
- Accelerated: No
Curricular Requirements
- Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
- Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 18 credits
- Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework
- Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required
- Other Grade Requirements: n/a
- Assessments and Examinations: Contact the program for information on required assessments and examinations
- Language Requirements: Contact the program for information on any language requirements
Required Courses
The specific program of study towards a masters degree is developed by the student and the major professor. Considerable flexibility in the selection of courses is permitted to meet the needs and interests of the candidate. Students often complete the requirements for a masters degree in one and a half years, and three years is usually considered the maximum time necessary.
- All students must successfully complete 14 credits of plant science courses and 11 credits of botany courses
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits and 15 of these credits must be graduate level
Organic Sustainable Production Pathway
Course List Code | Title | Credits ---|---|---
- Ecology: Complete one of the following courses: F&W ECOL/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460, AGROECOL 701, AGROECOL 702
- Horticulture: PLANTSCI 370
- Plant Pathology: Complete one of the following courses: PL PATH 300, PL PATH 517, PL PATH 559
- Agronomy/Entomology: ENTOM 450
- Soil Science: Complete one of the following: SOIL SCI 323, SOIL SCI 326
- Statistics: STAT/F&W ECOL 571
- Seminar: Complete one of the following courses: AGROECOL 710, PLANTSCI 920
- Research: Complete a total of 6 credits: PLANTSCI 990
- Additional Coursework: At the discretion of the students major professor or masters committee, additional remedial or advanced coursework may be required to reach the 30 credit minimum
Policies
Prior Coursework
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy
Probation
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 if they are writing a master's thesis.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credits maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy
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
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
- Employee Assistance
- Employee Disability Resource Office
- Graduate School
- Office of Compliance
- Office Student Assistance and Support
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff
- Title IX
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career
Program Resources
The Horticulture Graduate programs encourage students to develop Individual Development Plans in collaboration with their major advisor to facilitate professional development
Learning Outcomes
- Articulates challenges and limits with respect to knowledge within the field of horticulture
- Formulates ideas and/or research methods to advance knowledge within the field of horticulture
- 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