Master of Science Degree in Agriculture (Plant Science)

Expand your knowledge of plants, soil science, irrigation, and other topics with the master of science degree in agriculture, plant science subplan.

With this degree, you can pursue careers working as a soil conservationist, a natural resource specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or an agricultural or standards inspector with the California Department of Food & Agriculture or county agricultural commissioners’ offices.

Private sector opportunities also abound in entomology, plant pathology, integrated pest management, plant breeding, horticulture, agronomy, urban agriculture, and irrigation design. You can also pursue advanced graduate training with a doctorate and work in academia or research.

Program Description

In this program, you will conduct applied research in a specialized area of plant science.

You will increase your proficiency in research methodology and design, statistical analysis, and utilization of technology.

You will receive mentoring, training, and resources that promote lifelong learning and critical thinking skills needed to become a leader in your field.

Admission Requirements

To earn admission, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in a plant-science-related major.

Your undergraduate coursework should have included the biological and physical sciences, as well as other courses aligned with plant science emphases of the program (e.g., horticulture, entomology, soil science, plant pathology, ecology, integrated pest management, etc.).

An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required for unconditional admission.

Students with undergraduate degrees other than plant science may apply to the program, but they must complete the following courses, or their equivalents prior to admission:

• Biological science (biology, ecology, genetics, agricultural sciences, etc.), of which a minimum of one quarter or semester must be general biology with lab.
• Physical science (chemistry, physics, etc.), of which a minimum of one quarter or semester must be general chemistry with lab.
• Statistics, at least one quarter or semester.
• Plant science (horticulture, botany, plant physiology, plant pathology, soil science, etc.), at least one quarter or semester course.

Completion of these courses for applicants from fields other than plant science does not guarantee admission; rather, it is required for applications to be considered along with all other required application components.

When you apply for admission at Cal State Apply, you must include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé.
• Academic Transcripts from all accredited institutions attended
• A personal statement of at least 300 words and no more than 500 words about:
  • Your interests and qualifications for the program. Please specify the emphasis (plant breeding, plant pathology, entomology, soil science, etc.) that you are willing to pursue.
  • How your professional and academic experiences and achievements make you a suitable candidate for the program. Be sure to include any research experience.
  • How this degree will help you to reach your future goals.
• International students seeking admission into the program must achieve a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 80 (internet-based), or 213 (computer-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) Overall Band Score. You must have earned a passing score within two years of your application date.

In addition, you must identify and secure a commitment from a faculty member willing to serve as your advisor prior to applying. Applications submitted without a designated major professor advisor will not be considered. Communicate with faculty or contact Associate Professor Anna Soper, the interim department chair, to find an advisor.

Complete applications are due in Cal State Apply on April 1st each year for the subsequent fall semester cohort.