Horticulture is the art and science of growing and maintaining ornamental plants and fruits, vegetables, and nuts to eat and use in and around our homes. Though a part of agriculture, horticulture does not include agronomic crop production or other agricultural products for animal consumption.
What Is the MPS in Horticulture?
Our master's degree in horticulture is an applied (rather than research-based) degree, focused on coursework and learning that you can apply directly to growing and managing plants.
Why Choose the MPS in Horticulture?
The Horticulture degree is
- Relevant—This is an applied, rather than a research degree. You'll gain knowledge you can apply immediately to the care and management of plants.
- Customizable—With only 15 required Horticulture credits, you can take related courses that match your interests (see our Sample Specializations below).
- Marketable—The world needs people who know how to responsibly grow, maintain, and restore landscapes, plants, and vegetables.
- Welcoming—We aim to promote diversity, inclusivity, and equity to provide an enriching and rewarding experience for everyone.
Stories
Current students and alumni: complete this form to share your CCAPS story.
Courses
Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Credits | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Horticulture Courses | 15 credits |
HORT 4xxx-level courses (up to 9 cr) HORT 5xxx-level courses HORT 6003 Internship (1−3 cr) HORT 6011 Plant Propagation (4 cr) |
| Related Fields | 12 credits | APS 5XXX level courses for HORT and other approved courses |
| HORT 6002 Capstone: Problem Solving in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| Total | 30 credits |
Introductory Coursework
As part of your degree requirements, you will complete introductory coursework in soils, plant pathology, and entomology, in consultation with the HORT Director of Graduate Studies.
Courses currently offered at the University of Minnesota that satisfy these requirements include:
| Course Name | Credits | Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Soil Science (SOIL 2125) | 4 | fall and spring |
| The Soil Resource (SOIL 1125) | 4 | fall |
| Soil Science for Teachers (SOIL 5125) | 3 | fall |
| Course Name | Credits | Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Plant Pathology for Horticulturists (PLPA 2001) | 3 | spring |
| Diseases of Forest and Shade Trees (PLPA 3003/5003) | 3 | spring |
| Biology of Plant Diseases (PLPA 5201) | 4 | fall |
| Course Name | Credits | Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Insect Biology (ENT 3005) | 3 | fall |
| Ornamentals and Turf Entomology (ENT 4015) | 3 | spring |
| Forest and Shade Tree Entomology (ENT 4251) | 3 | fall |
| Honey Bees and Insect Societies (ENT 4021) | 3 | fall |
Course Options
As an MPS in Horticulture student, you have access to the breadth of courses offered at the University. The following lists are just a sampling of the courses you can apply to your degree.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Plant Materials: Special Topics | HORT 4015 | 1 |
| Turfgrass Management | HORT 4061 | 4 |
| Turfgrass Weed and Disease Science | HORT 4062 | 3 |
| Turfgrass Science | HORT 4063 | 3 |
| Applications of Biotechnology to Plant Improvement | HORT 4071W | 4 |
| Professional Experience Program (Internship) | HORT 4096 and 4096(W) | 1 (can repeat) |
| Plant Production 1 | HORT 4141W | 4 |
| Horticultural Marketing | HORT 4461 | 3 |
| Aquaponics: Integrated Fish and Plant Food Systems | HORT 4601 | 4 |
| Pollinator Protection in Managed Landscapes | HORT 4850 | 3 |
| Advanced Plant Propagation | HORT 5007 | 3 |
| Public Garden Management | HORT 5023 | 2 |
| Organic Vegetable Production | HORT 5032 | 3 |
| Plant Production II | HORT 5051 | 4 |
| Specialty Greenhouse Crop Production | HORT 5052 | 3 |
| Restoration and Reclamation Ecology | HORT 5071 | 3 |
| Directed Studies | HORT 5090 | 1−3 |
| Student Organic Farm Planning, Growing, Marketing | HORT 5131 | 3 |
| Manipulation of Plant Growth and Reproduction | HORT 8044 | 2 |
To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Ecological Design for Horticulture | APS 5101 | 3 |
| Garden Design: Theory and Application | APS 5102 | 2 |
| Integration of Sustainable Agriculture Concepts | APS 5103 | 3 |
| Cross-Functional Leadership and Communication | APS 6311 | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Organizational Finance | APS 6312 | 3 |
| Harnessing Big Data | APS 6313 | 3 |
| Leading Projects and Teams | APS 6314 | 3 |
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Agronomy | ||
| Biology, Ecology, and Management of Invasive Plants | AGRO 4505 | 3 |
| Issues in Sustainable Agriculture | AGRO 4888 | 2 |
| Introduction to Plant Breeding | AGRO 5021 | 3 |
| Ecology of Agricultural Systems | AGRO 5321 | 3 |
| Physiological Ecology of Plants in Natural and Managed Ecosystems | AGRO 8305 | 4 |
| Advanced Management of Agroecosystems | AGRO 8605 | 3 |
| Entomology | ||
| Ornamentals and Turf Entomology | ENT 4015 | 3 |
| Honey Bees and Insect Societies | ENT 4021 | 3 |
| Forest and Shade Tree Entomology | ENT 4251 | 3 |
| Insect Structure and Function | ENT 5011 | 4 |
| Insect Biodiversity and Evolution | ENT 5021 | 4 |
| Scientific Illustration of Insects | ENT 5051 | 3 |
| Insects, Aquatic Habitats, and Pollution | ENT 5081 | 3 |
| Applied Experimental Design | ENT 5121 | 4 |
| Medical Entomology | ENT 5275 | 3 |
| Biological Control of Insects and Weeds | ENT 5341 | 3−4 |
| Aquatic Insects | ENT 5361 | 3 |
To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management | ||
| Water Quality and Natural Resources | ESPM 4061W | 3 |
| Environmental Interpretation | ESPM 4811 | 3 |
| Ecological Restoration | ESPM 5071 | 4 |
| Conservation of Plant Biodiversity | ESPM 5101 | 3 |
| Ecology of Managed Systems | ESPM 5108 | 3 |
| Environmental Conflict Management, Leadership, and Planning | ESPM 5202 | 3 |
| Methods for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy | ESPM 5242 | 3 |
| Sustainable Land Use Planning and Policy | ESPM 5245 | 3 |
| Natural Resource Law and Management of Public Land/Water | ESPM 5256 | 3 |
| Wetland Soils | ESPM 5555 | 3 |
| Environmental Life Cycle Analysis | ESPM 5603 | 3 |
| Agroforestry in Watershed Management | ESPM 5703 | 3 |
| Plant Pathology | ||
| Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions | PLPA 5103/8103 | 3 |
| Field Plant Pathology | PLPA 5202 | 2 |
| Introduction to Fungal Biology | PLPA 5203 | 3 |
| Current Topics in Molecular Plant Pathology | PLPA 5300 | 1 |
| Plant Genomics | PLPA 5301 | 3 |
| Ecology, Epidemiology, Evolutionary Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions | PLPA 5444 | 3 |
| Principles of Plant Pathology | PLPA 5480 | 3 |
| Plant Disease Resistance and Applications | PLPA 5660 | 3 |
To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Recreational Lands | FNRM 4232W | 4 |
| Forest Ecology | FNRM 5104 | 4 |
| Hydrology and Watershed Management | FNRM 5114 | 3 |
| Science and Politics of Global Environmental Change | FNRM 5146 | 3 |
| Forest and Wetland Hydrology | FNRM 5153 | 3 |
| Forest Fire and Disturbance Ecology | FNRM 5203 | 3 |
| Landscape Ecology and Management | FNRM 5204 | 3 |
| Productivity and Ecology of Forest Soils | FNRM 5205 | 3 |
| Measuring and Modeling Forests | FNRM 5218 | 3 |
| Visitor Behavior Analysis | FNRM 5259 | 3 |
| Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis of Natural Resources and Environment | FNRM 5262 | 4 |
| Advanced Forest Management Planning | FNRM 5264 | 3 |
| Managing Forest Ecosystems: Silviculture | FNRM 5411 | 4 |
| Managing for Ecosystems: Silviculture | FNRM 5413 | 1 |
| Urban Forest Management: Managing Greenspaces | FNRM 5501 | 3 |
To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Biology and Soil | ||
| Introduction to Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology | FW 2001W | 3 |
| Principles of Conservation Biology | FW 4102 | 3 |
| Principles of Wildlife Management | FW 4103 | 3 |
| Soil | ||
| Field Study of Soils | SOIL 4511 | 2 |
| Soil Science for Teachers | SOIL 5125 | 3 |
| Vadose Zone Hydrology | SOIL 5232 | 3 |
| Soil Genesis and Landscape Relations | SOIL 5515 | 3 |
| Wetland Soils | SOIL 5555 | 3 |
| Soil Biology and Fertility | SOIL 5611 | 3 |
To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| World Food Problems | APEC 4103 | 3 |
| Ethics | APSC 8123 | 0.5 |
| Ecology | BIOL 5407 | 3 |
| Plant Physiological Ecology | EEB 4068 | 3 |
| Ecosystem Ecology | EEB 4609 | 3 |
| Holistic Approaches to Improving Food System Sustainability | FDSY 4101 | 3 |
| Marketing Management | MBA 6210 | 3 |
| Marketing Research | MKTG 6051 | 4 |
| Buyer Behavior | MKTG 6055 | 4 |
| Colloquium in Sustainable Agriculture | SAGR 8010 | 2 |
| Applied Regression Analysis | STAT 5302 | 4 |
To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
Sample Specializations
The program areas described below are suggestions; we encourage you to pursue your own interests and objectives in consultation with the Horticulture Director of Graduate Studies.
Public Garden Management
For students interested in conservation, display gardens and plant collection management involving arboreta, botanic gardens, zoological gardens, parks, and other organizations.
Restoration and Conservation
For students who seek positions involving the design, development, restoration, and maintenance of natural and man-made landscapes.
Sustainable Landscape Plant Production
For students who are interested in sustainability issues involving fruit and nut crops, vegetables, nursery, and greenhouse crops within our rapidly changing climate.
Urban Agriculture and Food Production
For students interested in food and ornamental plant production practices that emphasize organic, community-focused methods and strategies.
Additional Areas of Interest
You might also consider these areas of study.
- Landscape design
- Safe and healthy food
- Horticultural marketing
- Horticultural education
- Horticultural therapy
- Environmental horticulture
- Urban horticulture
- Horticultural writing and illustration
Admission
Fall Semester Application Deadline: March 15
Spring Semester Application Deadline: October 15
Admission to the Master of Professional Studies in Horticulture is competitive, and the faculty committee reviews all applications to ensure a good fit for academic success.
We encourage you to talk with an adviser prior to submitting an application. They can help you decide how the Horticulture program might fit with your background, professional goals, and schedule. Admission decisions are and made and notification sent within four to six weeks of application deadline.
Prerequisite course work may be completed at the University of Minnesota or at other educational institutions and is subject to transfer review.
Algebra
Any one of the six math courses listed below satisfies the algebra requirement.
- MATH 1031 College Algebra and Probability (3 credits; prereq. 3 years of high school math and placement exam or GC 0731 with a grade of C or better)
- MATH 1051 Precalculus I (3 credits; prereq. 3 years of high school math and placement exam or GC 0731 with a grade of C or better)
- MATH 1142 Short Calculus (3 credits; prereq. 3−5 years of high school math or MATH 1031 with a grade of C or better)
- MATH 1151 Precalculus II (3 credits; prereq. 3−5 years of high school math and placement exam or MATH 1051 with a grade of C or better)
- MATH 1155 Intensive Precalculus (5 credits; prereq. 3 years of high school math and placement exam or GC 0731 with a grade of C or better. Equivalent to MATH 1051 plus 1151)
- MATH 1271 Calculus I (4 credits; prereq. 4 years of high school math including trigonometry and placement exam or MATH 1151 or MATH 1155 with a grade of C or better)
Chemistry
Either of the two chemistry courses listed below satisfies the chemistry requirement:
- CHEM 1015/1017 (or CHEM 1011) Introductory Chemistry (4 credits; prereq. high school chemistry and 2 years of high school math; high school physics recommended; for students not passing placement exam)
- CHEM 1021 Chemical Principles I (4 credits; prereq. placement exam, or CHEM 1011, or CHEM 1015/1017)
Biology, Botany, or Plant Propagation
Any one of the three options below satisfies this requirement:
- BIOL 1009 General Biology (4 credits; prereq high school chemistry, one term of college chemistry recommended)
- BIOL 2022 General Botany (3 credits; prereq. BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1009)
- HORT 1001 Plant Propagation (4 credits; no prereq.)
Several of the courses listed above are also prerequisites for other classes you’ll likely take.
The following items are required for admission:
- a bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary US institution, or its foreign equivalent
- a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8*
- evidence of knowledge of current, introductory college level concepts of algebra and chemistry and biology or botany or plant propagation
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required.
* In exceptional circumstances, promising applicants with lower GPA or less work experience may be considered for the program. An explanation for the GPA, and evidence that academic success at the graduate level is achievable, must be addressed in the application (extenuating circumstances).
- First, access the online application.
- All required application materials must be electronically attached to your application.
Applicant Statements
- Personal statement: Typically one to two pages, double-spaced, should describe your personal and/or career goals.
- Diversity statement: Optional.
- Extenuating Circumstances statement: If your undergraduate GPA is below 2.8 or you have less work experience, please provide an explanation.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. Letters should be solicited from individuals who can provide a candid assessment of your abilities (including strengths and weaknesses), personality, character, and potential for graduate-level academic success and professional achievement.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts or academic records for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) should be uploaded directly to the online application. International students should also upload an English translation if the transcript is not in English. If possible, make sure the institution has put your name on the transcript/record.
Resume or CV
Submit a current resume or CV.
GRE Scores
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required.
Application Fee
A nonrefundable application fee must be paid on submission.
You may be able to transfer up to 10 credits of graduate-level coursework completed prior to admission, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.
Transfer coursework requirements:
- Taken at the University of Minnesota or another accredited institution
- Completed at the graduate level and listed on a graduate transcript
- Earned a grade of B or better
- Completed no more than five years prior to admission to the program
Transfer Coursework Taken as an Undergraduate
You may be able to transfer up to 6 of the 10 transfer coursework credits taken as an undergraduate, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Assistant Director for Graduate Programs.
Pre-baccalaureate transfer coursework requirements:
- Completed as a pre-baccalaureate student pursing an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and listed on your undergraduate transcript
- Taken at the graduate level
- Earned a grade of B or higher
- Completed no more than five years prior to admission to the program
- Not counted toward completion of a bachelor’s degree
In order to transfer your graduate-level credits completed as a pre-baccalaureate student, submit:
- A petition form, signed by an undergraduate program adviser confirming credits were not used toward undergraduate degree
- Syllabi from course(s), preferred
- Full APAS report
The DGS and the Assistant Director for Graduate Programs will review the information and jointly decide on the use of the credits in your graduate program.
If your native language is not English, please submit scores from the TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS English proficiency examination. Read more about required scores.
- Required TOEFL scores are 84 or above, with section scores of at least 21 on writing and at least 19 on reading.
- Required IELTS score is 6.5, with section scores of at least 6.5 on both writing and reading.
- Required MELAB score is 84.
For information on visa status, contact the International Student and Scholar Service for information on visa status.
How to Register for Undergraduate Courses to Satisfy Prerequisites
Complete steps 1−5 found on the One Stop page for nondegree students. Please note that undergraduate courses used to satisfy prerequisites will not count toward your degree requirements.
How to Register for Graduate-level Courses BEFORE Being Admitted to a Graduate Program
Credit courses taken before admission may be applied toward this degree. You can take a graduate-level course before being admitted if:
- the course is graduate-level (4xxx-level or above), and
- you register for credit as a nondegree graduate student and pay graduate-level tuition.
Follow these step to register:
- Download and submit a Registration Request for Graduate Credit for Nondegree Students Form. Registration for nondegree students is not available online.
- Send the form to the department offering the courses for authorization. This form must be used each term until you are admitted to a program.
- Upon authorization, the department offering the graduate course will forward the form to the registrar or provide you with further instructions.
- Check email and mail for confirmation and payment instructions.
More information can be found on the registration page for nondegree students.
- To view course descriptions, search the University course catalog.
- To view course details (date, time, instructor, etc.), use the Class Search.
What Can I Do With a Master's Degree in Horticulture?
You can go into a variety of related fields. Companies are looking for employees who not only have a plant science background but can also communicate and manage effectively.
Find Your Place in the Industry
Horticulturists can work in a wide variety of organizations—owned by industry, government, institutions, or privately—that are involved in the care and maintenance of plants, such as:
- Parks
- Greenhouses
- Botanical or public gardens
- Nurseries
- Orchards
- Golf courses or athletic fields
- Sod or tree farms
- Garden centers
- Landscaping companies
- Aquariums or zoos
Listen to Mary Meyer's interview about horticulture career opportunities on KMOJ.
Align Your Skills with a Rewarding Career
The chart below can help you see how your interests might position you in the job market.
|
Trees, Flowers, Landscapes  |
Landscape designer or gardener, greenhouse technician, garden manager, plant collection manager, nursery owner, conservationist, arborist |
|
Food Production  |
Orchardist, vegetable specialist, urban farm manager, community garden manager |
|
Turfgrass  |
Golf course, athletic field, or park manager, caretaker, groundskeeper, park superintendent, lawn care specialist |
|
Pest Management  |
Controller of insects, diseases, and other pests for public spaces |
|
Restoration Ecology  |
Crew manager, conservationist, land care manager, plant records analyst |
|
Public Gardens  |
Education manager, teacher, curator, horticulture manager, landscape gardener, conservationist |
Faculty and Staff
Staff
Mary Meyer
As Director of Graduate Studies, Mary supervises and coordinates the Horticulture program, guides and improves the educational experience, and serves as a liaison among students, faculty, staff, and administration. She is professor and extension horticulturist at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and chair of the board of directors of the American Society of Horticultural Science, 2014−15.
Mary can be found at 424 Alderman Hall, 1970 Folwell Avenue, Saint Paul campus; meyer023@umn.edu.
Faculty
In addition to teaching many of the courses you’ll be taking, Horticultural Science faculty are also accessible to students as internship and directed studies supervisors, program plan advisers, and as career mentors. You’ll also routinely take courses from faculty in other departments across the University, most notably in Soil, Water and Climate; Plant Pathology; and Entomology.
The best way to contact a faculty member is to send a brief email message with "Master of Professional Studies-Hort" noted in the subject line.
Sign Up for Events and News
Complete the form below to either sign up for an Information Session or subscribe to our Master of Professional Studies in Horticulture e-newsletter.
Contact Information
612-624-4000 or 800-234-6564 | ccapsinfo@umn.edu
20 Ruttan Hall, 1994 Buford Ave, Saint Paul, MN
In-Person Hours: Monday−Friday 8 a.m.−4:30 p.m.
Phone Hours: Monday−Friday 8 a.m.−4:30 p.m.