Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

The Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Horticulture offers a wide range of opportunities in a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment.

The Horticulture Master’s program provides education and research opportunities with global impact on the fruit and vegetables, floral, and ornamentals industries. Horticulture is the cultivation and marketing of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This program is designed to meet the individual needs of the student and may include courses in mathematics and statistics, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, remote sensing as well as agronomic, horticultural, and weed sciences. The department’s extensive research program offers students a variety of research topics for their thesis under the guidance of experienced, highly trained scientists. The masters program is based on a research generated dissertation.  Applicants should ensure that appropriate research facilities are available to their location.

The Horticulture master’s graduate program in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences leads to the Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Horticulture.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $602.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Program Structure

Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with Horticulture Concentration - Thesis

Prerequisites - as stipulated by the major professor, the departmental graduate coordinator, and the dean. In addition, graduate students accepted into the Horticulture concentration are expected to have complete a course in General Plant Physiology or will be required to include this course on their graduate program of study.

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
  Graduate-level coursework 12
PSS 8811 Seminar 1
ST 8114 Statistical Methods (or other graduate-level statistics course) 4
  Additional 8000-level coursework 7
  Research/Thesis 6
  Total Hours1 30

Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with Weed Science Concentration - Non-Thesis

Prerequisites - as stipulated by the major professor, the departmental graduate coordinator, and the dean. In addition, graduate students accepted into the Horticulture concentration are expected to have completed a General Plant Physiology course or be required to include it in their graduate program of study.

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
  Graduate-level coursework 7
PSS 7000 Directed Individual Study in Plant and Soil Sciences 3
PSS 8811 Seminar 1
ST 8114 Statistical Methods (or other graduate-level statistics course) 4
  Additional 8000-level coursework 15
  Total Hours1 30

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

  • Fall Semester – August 1
  • Spring Semester – December 1
  • Summer Semester – May 15

Students seeking full admission into the Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with Horticulture Concentration program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree-seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the program should apply as an Unclassified student.

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with Horticulture Concentration.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.


 

Admission Options

 

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with Horticulture Concentration as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students. TOEFL exemptions can be found here.
  4. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  5. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  6. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper transcripts should be mailed to: Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      Office of the Graduate School
      255 Lee Blvd
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  7. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  8. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Additional Required Application Step

Complete Identity Verification: Applicants must complete identity verification through Stripe Identity as part of the required application process. This step helps confirm the applicant’s identity before the application can be completed.

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your assigned advisor to determine the courses most appropriate to take. Approximately two months prior to the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Headshot of Dr. Vaughn Diaz Reed

Dr. Vaughn Diaz Reed

Plant and Soil Sciences

  • Assistant Professor

Contact Information

Photo of Samantha Clardy

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • General Program Questions
  • Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
Headshot of Mark Jimerson

Mark Jimerson

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Current Student Inquires
  • Academic & Support Services Assistance
Headshot of Dr. Vaughn Diaz Reed

Dr. Vaughn Diaz Reed

Plant and Soil Sciences

  • Assistant Professor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mississippi State Online accredited?

Mississippi State Online programs are offered by Mississippi State University, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Individual programs may also hold specialized accreditation. Learn more on the Mississippi State University accreditation page.

Will my Mississippi State University diploma say "online"?

No. When you earn a degree through Mississippi State Online, your diploma identifies Mississippi State University and does not indicate that you studied online. Online programs meet the same university standards for academic quality and rigor as on-campus programs.

How much does Mississippi State cost?

Mississippi State helps make your education more affordable by offering the applicable in-state tuition rate to online students regardless of where they live. Tuition and required fees are charged per credit hour, and your total cost depends on your program, credit hours, and applicable fees. Textbooks and course materials are additional expenses, and rates are subject to change.

Do out-of-state students pay in-state tuition at Mississippi State Online?

Yes. Mississippi State Online students pay the applicable in-state tuition rate whether they live in Mississippi or elsewhere. You do not need to be a Mississippi resident to receive this rate for your online program. Required fees and other course expenses still apply.

Can Mississippi State Online students receive financial aid or scholarships?

Eligible online students may receive financial aid, and scholarship opportunities are available. Eligibility and award amounts vary; funding is not guaranteed for every student or program. Complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal student aid, and review scholarship requirements and deadlines.

How do I apply to Mississippi State Online?

Start with the Apply Now page and choose the application that matches your undergraduate or graduate program and applicant status. Select "Online Education" as your campus. Review your program's admission requirements and deadlines, then submit the application, required documents, and any applicable application fee. Requirements vary by program and may differ for new, transfer, returning, and international students.

Do Mississippi State Online programs require campus visits or in-person experiences?

Requirements depend on the program and concentration. Some programs can be completed entirely online, while others include internships, field experiences, or coursework that requires in-person participation. Review your program's curriculum and contact its program representative before applying to confirm attendance requirements. Explore programs and their requirements in the Academic Programs directory.

Can I transfer previous college credits to a Mississippi State Online program?

Transfer-credit policies vary by degree level and program. Some programs consider eligible coursework from other institutions, while others do not accept prior credit toward program requirements. Review your program's transfer-credit policy and contact its academic advisor or program coordinator before planning your coursework.

What support is available to Mississippi State Online students?

Mississippi State Online students have access to academic advising, library resources, writing support, technical assistance, and career services. Program coordinators and advisors can help you navigate your studies and connect with university resources.