Graduate Student Resources
For Current Graduate Students
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Graduate Student Program Advisors
Please reach out with questions about our graduate programs.
Graduate Programs
Ph.D. in Horticulture
M.S. in Horticulture
M.S. in Horticulture and Human Health
On-Campus and Online
Graduate Certificate and Interdisciplinary Programs
Online Graduate Certificates
Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
How To Apply
Establish Your Advisor First
Our graduate study programs are linked closely to faculty activities and research interests. It is highly recommended that prospective students initiate contact with a potential research advisor prior to admission. Note that admission to the HLA graduate program does not guarantee funding but support is often available through graduate research or teaching assistantships. Availability of assistantships should be discussed with your potential research advisor.
Application Deadlines
M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture
Fall Semester: January 31st
Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline.
M.S. in Horticulture and Human Health
Fall Semester: July 15
Spring Semester: December 2
Applications will be reviewed frequently and students should get a response regarding status within approximately 45 days of their application submission.
Horticulture Graduate Application Requirements
Before you begin your application, please carefully review these Graduate School admission requirements.
Who We Invite to Apply
Graduate study for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture is available to qualified students who have an undergraduate degree from accredited institutions in horticulture, or in related plant sciences including botany, crop science, environmental sciences, or professions related to landscape design. Non-plant science degree applicants with substantial experience in related professions may also qualify.
Previous Experience Needed to Be Successful
Applicants seeking graduate degrees in horticulture should have adequate preparation in the fundamental sciences such as, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, physics, as well as undergraduate course work in the plant sciences – e.g., agronomy, botany, ecology, horticulture, genetics, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant anatomy. Applicants lacking adequate preparation may be accepted conditionally, with the provision that recommended undergraduate courses be completed before the degree is awarded.
Domestic Students
- Online Application
- $60 Non-refundable Application Fee
- Supplemental Application Materials – must be submitted electronically by uploading within your application
- Statement of Purpose: A short essay of 500 words or less outlining your academic/work experience and career goals. Please describe your specific academic interests so that we may identify appropriate potential faculty advisers. If you have already identified a faculty member you would like to work with please include that information.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: Letters from people who know you well and can comment on your abilities, particularly your ability to succeed in graduate school. Add the names and e-mail addresses to your application. Each person will receive an e-mail from Colorado State University inviting them to upload a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Resume / CV: A brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experiences.
- Official Transcripts: One official transcript from each collegiate institution attended
Transcripts must be sent directly to the Colorado State University Admissions Office via snail mail or electronically. You will need to contact your previous institutions and request they submit official transcripts to Colorado State University.
Colorado State University transcripts are not required. Training course transcripts from branches of the U.S. military that show credit received with neither grades nor degrees awarded are also exempt from the transcript requirement. - The GRE is no longer required
International Students
- Online Application
- $70 Non-refundable Application Fee
- Supplemental Application Materials – must be submitted electronically by uploading within your application
- Statement of Purpose: A short essay of 500 words or less outlining your academic/work experience and career goals. Please describe your specific academic interests so that we may identify appropriate potential faculty advisers. If you have already identified a faculty member you would like to work with please include that information.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: Letters from people who know you well and can comment on your abilities, particularly your ability to succeed in graduate school. Add the names and e-mail addresses to your application. Each person will receive an e-mail from Colorado State University inviting them to upload a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Resume / CV: A brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experiences.
- Official Transcripts: One official transcript from each collegiate institution attended; must include a certified translation into English if necessary. Electronic submission of college transcripts is supported and preferred whenever possible. We accept electronic transcripts via Parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or any other secure site used by the sending institution. College officials are welcome to send links to secure site delivery to etranscripts@colostate.edu. Transcripts sent via email and not via a secure server are not considered official. If necessary or preferred, official college transcripts can be mailed to Office of Admissions Colorado State University, 1062 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins CO 80523-1062.
- The GRE is no longer required.
- TOEFL / IELTS Score: Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, International English Language Testing System, or Pearson Test of English Academic. Test scores should be submitted with institution code 4075. Integrated Degree Program Admissions are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS exam or the PTE Academic exam. When the CSU graduate degree program is taught in the student’s native language, the TOEFL, IELTS, or the PTE Academic requirement will be waived. Students are exempted from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic requirement if the official language of their country is English or if they have recently earned a degree at an American university.
Required items for Immigration Document Insurance
These items are not required for the application review process, but will be required if officially admitted. The following materials must be sent directly to the Colorado State University Admissions Office.
- Certified proof of financial support – Graduate Student Certification for Issuance of Immigration Document
GS3F form http://isss.colostate.edu/immigration_forms/ and supporting financial documents - Passport copy
Useful Links
- HORT 792 Spring Seminar Series
- Graduate School Website
- The Graduate School website is an essential source of accurate, up-to-date information for all graduate students on campus. Visit the graduate school website for all graduate forms and important deadlines
- Variable Credit Course Form
- Thesis/Dissertation
- Your thesis or dissertation must be submitted and approved by the published deadline date of your graduating term in order to graduate in a given semester. You can find all of the important information about submitting your thesis or dissertation here.
- Continuous Registration
- All students admitted to a graduate program at Colorado State University are required to be continuously registered in the fall and spring semester throughout their degree programs. Graduate degree candidates must be either enrolled for at least one credit or must register for continuous registration during the term (fall, spring, or summer) they will complete their degree requirements.