Best Agronomy and Crop Science graduate PHD programs - Updated 2022

Graduate study in Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science is organized into five Graduate Fields: Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology Plant Microbe Biology, and Soil Crop Sciences. MS PhD degrees typically take 2-5 years and involve a combination of coursework and original research. Graduate students are admitted to fields of study.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Horticulture is outstanding preparation for a research-based career in horticulture, biology or agricultural science. Over the course of the horticulture doctoral degree program, students develop and manage an original research program that culminates in the development of a dissertation. It is expected that the research program represent a significant contribution to scientific horticulture.

The Translational Plant Sciences Graduate Program (TPSGP) is designed for highly motivated students with the drive and passion necessary to do high-impact, meaningful research. This novel program seeks exceptional students from a variety of disciplines, including chemistry, engineering, entomology, ecology, evolution, molecular genetics, microbiology, crop sciences, plant pathology and bioinformatics.

MAIT -​ Masters in the Mathematics of Advanced Industrial Tech. A program of study approved by the Advisor must be completed by the end of the third semester of enrollment. This plan must be filed with the Graduate Director. The Graduate School requires that every student seeking the Ph.D. satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation credits (899).

The Plant and Environmental Sciences Program offers areas of study leading to two graduate degrees: Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Students with baccalaureate degrees in agronomy, biology, chemistry, horticulture, physics, plant sciences, soil sciences, or related disciplines may pursue graduate studies in PES. The PhD and MS are research degrees that require a dissertation and thesis, respectively.

After this point, students will be required to meet all the doctoral degree requirements in that department. The IPS portal is designed to broaden research opportunities for students who wish to explore the breadth and depth of research in the life sciences. Pathways Program: Gateway to Graduate School Bridge Program.

Current master students wishing to move to a doctoral degree program in this same graduate program will not be required to submit a new application. Agronomy and Crop Science accepts the Graduate School basic requirements as described on the English Proficiency Requirements page.

The final basis for granting the degree shall be the candidate’s grasp of the subject matter of a broad field of study and a demonstrated ability to do independent research. In addition, the candidate must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written languages. The degree is not granted solely for the completion of coursework, residence and technical requirements, although these must be met. For a student who has completed a master’s degree, a DDS DMD, DVM or MD at a U.S. institution, a minimum of 64 hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science (MSLFS and PhD). The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences offers PhD and MS degrees in three programs: Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences Horticulture and Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. There are extensive opportunities to design thesis or dissertation research involving interdisciplinary collaborations among the three SPES graduate degree programs and with other outstanding research programs throughout Virginia Tech.

The Division of Plant Science Technology (DPST) maintains excellent graduate programs with classroom instruction and research supervision provided by leading scientists in the field. The DPST offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences. A student can select training from a wide range of courses and research programs to prepare for a career in research, teaching, industry and extension work. Students can follow a traditional curriculum or take advantage of the cross-disciplinary expertise that exists within the division.