About PhD Program,
Students are required to pass a preliminary examination within five semesters of first enrolling, not including the summer terms, and after substantial completion of the Ph.D. graded coursework requirement.
The preliminary examination is comprised of both an oral and written component and students are expected to defend their Thesis Proposal at the oral component of the examination. Those students on the BA to PhD plan must also pass a Qualifying Exam. An acceptable dissertation is required. Residence requirements are the same as those of the Graduate College.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Admission to the Ph.D. program will be considered for applicants with the M.S., those nearing completion of the M.S., and highly motivated students with the B.S. Because of the diversity of programs in the Department of Crop Sciences, the preparation that is needed varies considerably. Strong letters of reference, evident motivation to undertake graduate study, and good preparation in basic science courses enhance an applicant’s credentials. For some programs, greater emphasis is given to previous training in plant sciences, chemistry, or mathematics. A grade point average equivalent to at least a B in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work plus any graduate level work completed is required. All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency. Official scores are required to be submitted directly from TOEFL/ETS or IELTS to the University. Additional information for international applicants can be found at the Graduate College website. Please see our web page for additional information.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
Students are required to pass a preliminary examination within five semesters of first enrolling, not including the summer terms, and after substantial completion of the Ph.D. graded coursework requirement. The preliminary examination is comprised of both an oral and written component and students are expected to defend their Thesis Proposal at the oral component of the examination. Those students on the BA to PhD plan must also pass a Qualifying Exam. An acceptable dissertation is required. Residence requirements are the same as those of the Graduate College.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department’s graduate handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Crop sciences awards over $200,000 in fellowships each year to graduate students enrolled in our program. Prospective students should indicate their desire to be considered for financial aid on the admission application form. Credentials submitted with the application are used in determining financial aid awards by the department. Applicants receive notification of admission and funding via email in March.
Application Requirement,
International applicants are citizens or permanent residents of a country to which they intend to return other than the United States. International applicants may be in the United States on an educational, worker or visitor visa, or be residing in their home country.
Please note: International applicants who have filed an application for United States Permanent Residency, but have not yet been granted approval, are considered international applicants, but are not required to provide financial documentation.
International applicants are urged to submit their application for admission ten months prior to their intended semester of entry.
The following are requirements specifically for international applicants:
- International applicants who are requesting F-1 or J-1 visa eligibility documents are required to submit Proof of Funding Documentation
- Provide evidence of English proficiency
- International applicants must meet minimum requirementsbased on their country of origin.
For additional requirements, please see the application instructions, and contact your proposed program of study office.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
Submission of a $90.00 application fee.
