Graduate Field of Horticulture (M.S./Ph.D.)

The Graduate Field of Horticulture includes the study of fruits, vegetables and landscape plants to sustain the environment, the economy, and our quality of life. Graduate students can select one of four concentrations: Horticultural Crop Breeding, Horticulture Crop Management, Physiology & Ecology of Horticultural Crops, and Human-Plant Interactions

Master of Professional Studies (MPS)

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Agriculture and Life Sciences degree offered through the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) is a one-year, course-based master's degree, ideal for individuals who are interested in in-depth study of the issues and advancements in plant and soil sciences.

Undergraduate Plant Sciences Major

With a Major in the Plant Sciences, you can:

  • Expand our knowledge of fundamental plant biology
  • Find new ways to produce enough nutritious food for a growing world population.
  • Breed plants to tolerate the heat- and drought-stress caused by climate change.
  • Develop sustainable cropping practices to produce healthful food while protecting the environment.
  • Investigate new methods to fight plant diseases.
  • Restore damaged ecosystems to better support those who live there.
  • Conserve species, through plant collections in gardens and arboretums, for future generations.

Related majors

In addition to the Plant Sciences Major, Horticulture Faculty contribute to the teaching efforts of other related majors:

Undergraduate minors

Minors offered by the School of Integrative Plant Science will broaden your horticulture education at Cornell:

  • Plant Sciences 
  • Crop Management 
  • Fungal Biology 
  • Horticulture 
  • Plant Breeding 
  • Soil Science 

Learn more about these minors

Experiential learning and hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates

All Plant Sciences Majors are required to engage in at least one experiential learning opportunity while at Cornell. Most meet this requirement either through internships or research experience. Learn more about these real-life learning experiences.

Continuing education

Horticultural learning isn't just for undergraduate, graduate, and MPS students.  It lasts a lifetime.  Here are some opportunities to continue your education ...