Best online master's programs in Agronomy and Crop Science - Updated 2021

Advances in technology have also expanded Purdue University’s educational outreach. Courses offered through Purdue’s Agronomy e-Learning Academy are designed to meet the educational needs of professionals in all areas of agriculture. Three courses are available, and additional courses are being planned for the future. Because the pre-recorded content is hosted on Purdue’s Blackboard site and is accessible 24/7, busy professionals can plan their study time according to their schedules. All of our courses were designed specifically to meet the needs of off-campus learners.

The university philosophy for Agronomy and Crop Science program is the same as with the university MS and PhD graduate programs in that the university wish to retain as much academic freedom as possible while providing a meaningful experience for the student.

The Master of Horticultural Science (MHS) degree is a non-thesis program designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of horticulture science and practices. Extending beyond the study of fruits, vegetables, nursery and floriculture crops, this degree encompasses a broad range of cross-commodity areas such as plant breeding, weed science, urban horticulture, sustainable agriculture, postharvest physiology and landscape design.Individuals in many different career paths may benefit from earning their MHS, including: extension agents, community college instructors, industry personnel looking to change jobs or receive advanced training, master gardeners, or other individuals looking for a more in-depth experience in horticulture science.

Through the AGIDEA consortium of universities, UNL graduate students can now complement their degree programs with additional online courses in horticulture and grassland management. All courses are offered at the AGIDEA common graduate tuition rate of $580 per credit hour for the 2018–19 academic year. The AGIDEA common tuition includes all fees, exclusive of the application fee, but does not include textbooks and other materials that may be required by instructors.

Agronomy is the application of plant and soil science to crop production and includes the study of plant genetics, breeding, biotechnology, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, weed control, and crop management. The online master of agronomy degree program curriculum focuses on industry applications and research.

Master of Science in Horticulture degree program at a distance is designed specifically to meet the needs of today's working professional. Horticulture is the application of basic scientific information to the growing and use of edible (fruits, nuts, and vegetables) and ornamental plants (annual and perennial flowers and woody plants). Today's horticulture students focus on the challenges and practices of genetics and breeding, propagation, biotechnology, production, management, handling and storage, marketing, and use of horticultural plants.