Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

Maximize your potential with a Master’s in Plant Soil Sciences with a concentration in Weed Science. Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University offers interested students the opportunity to work with world class scientists in solving vegetation management problems.

The master’s program in Weed Science provides students with a variety of research opportunities in vegetation management across agricultural production systems, natural areas, and managed properties in residential and urban settings. A graduate degree in Plant and Soil Sciences with a concentration in weed science gives students knowledge in weed biology, taxonomy and ecology, biological control, cropping systems, integrated management systems, conservation tillage, transgenic crop tolerance, precision technology, and herbicides. The masters program is based on a research generated dissertation.Applicants should ensure that appropriate research facilities are available to their location.

The Weed Science 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 Weed Science.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $581.00
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 Weed Science Concentration - Thesis

Prerequisites - as stipulated by the major professor, the departmental graduate coordinator, and the dean.

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 Hours  

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.

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
  Graduate-level coursework 12
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 10
  Total Hours  

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 degree with a concentration in Weed Science 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 degree with a concentration in Weed Science

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 degree with a concentration in Weed Science 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 Address (USPS):
      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
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      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

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

English Language Test Score Requirements

TOEFL Essentials TOEFL iBT IELTS Admission Eligibility Outcome
9 and above 79 and above 6.5 and above Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5 69-78 6.0-6.4 Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship. Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5 61-68 5.5-5.9 Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5 54-60 4.6-5.4 Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below 53 and below 4.5 and below Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School. Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

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 Michael Cox

Michael Cox

Agronomy - Environmental Soil Management

  • Graduate Coordinator

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 Michael Cox

Michael Cox

Agronomy - Environmental Soil Management

  • Graduate Coordinator