Horticulture (B.S.)

The undergraduate Horticulture program integrates plant and soil science, entomology, pathology, technology and business management to prepare students to meet the challenges of an expanding multi-billion dollar-industry in intensively cultivated, high-value crops.

Horticultural crops are diverse, including annual and perennial species, food and ornamental plants and plants grown outdoors and in controlled environments. The dynamic Horticulture program offers students hands-on and interactive learning experiences and opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.

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Horticulture

Core areas of study include:

  • Applied plant physiology.
  • Sustainable production.
  • Horticulture management.
  • Plant genetics.
  • Soil science.

In addition to the core areas, students select a concentration to customize the program based on individual interests.

Concentrations include:

  • Horticultural Science.
  • Landscape Design, Construction and Management.
  • Sustainable and Organic Horticulture.

Learn more about requirements and courses in Horticulture.

Also view the Department of Horticulture’s learning outcomes for more about the horticulture concentrations.

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Honors Option

All courses within the Department of Horticulture may be taken for honors credit (H-option) for students that are members of the MSU Honors College. The request is initiated by the student and a project description (e.g., format, timeline, and scope) is agreed upon, preferably no later than the end of the second week of the semester.

The Honors designation is awarded only for work that is of high quality and more intensive and/or extensive than is required of the non-honors students in this course. A minimum grade of 3.0 must be earned before the Honors credit associated with the H-Option can be awarded.

Horticulture Graduates

$30,000

Average starting salary

90%

Job placement rate

$52,000

Top of starting salary range

Data from 2018 MSU Destination Survey of graduating students in this major

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a degree in Horticulture enter a broad range of challenging and rewarding careers in production, management, marketing, education and research.

Horticulture prepares students for a variety of career paths:

  • Production and sales.
  • Public gardens management.
  • Marketing and communications.
  • Landscape construction and management.
  • Landscape design.
  • Pest management.

Required Internships

Horticulture students are required to complete an internship before graduation. Students, employers and faculty advisors work together to create internship experiences which are an appropriate and meaningful part of the degree program.

The Department of Horticulture also lists job opportunities that may be of interest to Horticulture students.

Horticulture Advisor

Student Life

In addition to student jobs and internships, there are study abroad and undergraduate research opportunities.

There are also a variety of student clubs and organizations including:

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Agriculture Majors

  • Agribusiness Management (B.S.)

    Agribusiness management is the application of business skills in areas such as marketing, finance, economics and management to the agricultural industry.

  • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (B.S.)

    This program prepares students for careers as school-based agriculture, food and natural resources teachers at the secondary level, careers in education fields, or professional or graduate school program.

  • Animal Science (B.S.)

    Animal science encompasses livestock production marketing, public affairs, transportation, research, companion animal management and many more allied specialties.

  • Biosystems Engineering (B.S.)

    The Biosystems Engineering program combines biology with engineering to ensure there is safe and plentiful food, clean water, renewable energy and a healthy environment.

  • Crop and Soil Sciences (B.S.)

    This undergraduate curriculum is designed to train students as professional crop scientists, soil scientists, turfgrass scientists and environmentalists.

  • Entomology (B.S.)

    Courses are designed to give the student an understanding of the structure, classification, identification, function, biology, ecology, and management of beneficial and harmful arthropods, and the communities and ecosystems where insects occur.

  • Horticulture (B.S.)

    The Horticulture program prepares students to make new discoveries in the plant sciences, promote the use of plants and food for improved human health, and manage and develop landscape design projects.

Built Environment Majors

  • Construction Management (B.S.)

    Work areas in this profession include project management, building technology, construction science, land development, real estate, finance and marketing.

  • Horticulture (B.S.)

    The Horticulture program prepares students to make new discoveries in the plant sciences, promote the use of plants and food for improved human health, and manage and develop landscape design projects.

  • Interior Design (B.A.)

    The Interior Design program focuses on design theory and application, historic preservation and conservation, sustainable design, visual communication and technology and indoor environmental quality.

  • Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)

    The Landscape Architecture Program focuses on the integration of art, science and human interaction, applying their knowledge to diverse and immersive project types from local to international settings.

  • Packaging (B.S.)

    Packaging is a multidisciplinary program focused on all aspects of the industry from materials and processes through systems development and testing.

Horticulture (B.S.)

Department Information

Students

Research Focus Areas

Our Gardens