Major in Horticulture
On-campus and Online Options
Apply scientific principles in the growing, marketing, processing and utilizing of fruits, vegetables, flower and foliage plants, trees, shrubs and turf grasses.
Horticulture is both a production and service industry and meeting the nutritional needs of the world population is a growing need. As a Horticulture major, get hands-on experience working in our state-of-the-art labs and growing facilities.
Students in the program are either required or encouraged to have student internships or apprenticeships. Many students are engaged in independent studies with faculty in lab and field research, and work study/hourly jobs in the field or greenhouse.
There are slight differences between the on-campus and online degree programs. Be sure to learn about the details for both options to help you decide what works best for you.
Browse the CSU Course Catalog to learn about on-campus courses and degree requirements.
One Major, Four Concentrations
Controlled Environment Horticulture Concentration
Controlled environment agriculture, CEA, is a technology-based approach to crop production that focuses on optimizing an environment within a protected structure to facilitate desired plant growth and development. In this concentration, students will study and gain hands-on experience with the management of controlled environment systems for the production and improvement of both floriculture and food crops.
Browse CSU Course Catalog for courses and degree requirements.
Horticultural Business Management Concentration
The horticultural business management concentration provides the opportunity to gain the broadest horticultural background available within the department, and at the same time, participate in key business courses in the College of Business. Students may expand their specific horticultural interests or take an array of horticulture courses which can lead to more job opportunities in the future.
Browse CSU Course Catalog for courses and degree requirements.
This concentration is also offered online. Visit CSU Online to learn about the program.
Horticultural Science Concentration
Horticultural scientists conduct research to discover new information about plant growth, development, and environmental response. Applied knowledge from such studies leads to new plant varieties and production methods. Undergraduates in this concentration receive a solid foundation in the basic sciences and agricultural sciences leading to technical and scientific careers in laboratory, greenhouse, or field research.
Browse CSU Course Catalog for courses and degree requirements.
Horticultural Food Crops Concentration
Students in the horticultural food crops concentration focus their studies on systems related to production of fruits and vegetables. Specific areas include fruit production, vegetable production, irrigation practices, soil fertility, propagation, breeding, and related plant pest management courses.
Browse CSU Course Catalog for courses and degree requirements.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Technical competence that includes understanding plant growth and development as influenced by the manipulations of horticulture technologies such as greenhouse management, fertility management, integrated pest management, etc.
- Management and leadership skills that will allow them to become an entry-level supervisor in a specific business or research program.
- Problem solving skills such as identifying the significance of a problem, researching realistic solutions using current literature, and organizing the materials to develop appropriate recommendations and actions.
Where You’ll Find Us
CSU Horticulture Center
A center for teaching, research and extension for horticulture and landscape programs.
Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building
CSU's new home for Colorado agriculture, student aspirations and agricultural innovation for global impact.
Annual Flower Garden Trials
One of the top tourist attractions in Fort Collins. Explore more than 1,000 varieties at this campus flower garden.
Related Interests
- Agriculture
- Business Management
- Floriculture
- Food Crops
- Plants
- Science
Related Careers
- Biotechnologist
- Extension Specialist
- Floriculturist
- Fruit and Vegetable Producer
- Greenhouse Production Specialist
- Horticultural Therapist
- Plant Breeder
Contact Your Undergraduate Advisors
We offer advising to students in the horticulture, environmental horticulture, and landscape architecture majors. And minors in horticulture, environmental horticulture, and organic agriculture.
Bria Gallegos
Academic Success Coordinator
Last Names A-K
Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building
Room 283
bria.gallegos@colostate.edu
Katherine Isaacson
Academic Success Coordinator
Last Names: L-Z
Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building,
Room 284
katherine.isaacson@colostate.edu