Prospective Students

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Horticulture Graduate Applicants

Individuals interested in an MS or PhD in Horticulture should explore our research programs to find one that aligns with personal interests and professional goals.
Potential applicants should contact Horticulture graduate faculty working in research areas of interest to see if they have available graduate positions. Graduate faculty are listed at the end of the Horticulture Graduate Handbook.
Horticulture MS or PhD program applicants must use the UGA Graduate School application. An alternative for PhD students uncertain of which UGA plant sciences program to apply may wish to consider the UGA Integrated Plant Sciences (IPS) Program. Through IPS an incoming PhD student can explore three different plant sciences program, including Horticulture, before choosing where they land.
Applicants that have not found a graduate faculty advisor to work with will have greater difficulty getting recommended for admissions.
For graduate students who do not need financial assistance, there are more options. Those applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members who are active in an area of interest to see if they would be willing to serve as their advisor. It is recommended to first determmine any possible expenses such as annual tuition, fees and other financial needs for those interested in self-financing graduate school.
The UGA Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is encouraged for full-time, benefits eligible faculty, staff and administrators. To take graduate courses in Horticulture through TAP, qualifying personnel should reach out to the Horticulture Graduate Coordinator. They will need to be admitted into the UGA Graduate School and will eventually need to be placed with a Gradaute Faculty Advisor.

Cover of Journal of the American Society For Horticultural Sciences showing flowers

Our graduate students have a strong track record of publishing scientific findings in peer-review journals and other scholarly publications such as extension fact sheets and bulletins.

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How to get into the Horticulture Graduate Program

Apply to the UGA Horticulture Graduate Program through the UGA Graduate School application.
Have the application complete by the deadlines listed below (with all required files attached).
International applicants need additional time due to the Visa process. Ideally, they are accpted atleast 2 months before the beginning of a semester to initiate a Visa application. Visa application time varies. The US State Department website has a list of Global Visa Wait Times for appointments with the US Consulate in different countries.
Horticulture Graduate Application Review Committee reviews applications for students that have graduate faculty interested in being their faculty advisors.
Once the application committee reviews an application, they need to recommend an applicant for admission to the UGA Graduate School to get to the final application review process.
If recommended for acceptance, the UGA Graduate School will make the final review to determine if a student is accepted into the UGA Graduate School.
If the applicant is accepted and a Graduate Research Assistantship is being offered, the accepted student will receive an offer letter from the Horticulture Department Head and the student's Graduate Faculty Advisor.

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Horticulture Graduate Program Applcation Deadlines

Domestic applicants

July 1 - for a Fall semester start date
November 15 - for a Spring semester start date
April 1 - for a Summer semester start date

International applicants

Apil 15 - for a Fall semester start date
October 15 - for a Spring semester start date
February 15 - for a Summer semester start date

Student smiles while holding muscadines on a vine.

A ceremonially planting of the first blueberry bush in the research orchard at UGA's Durham Horticulture Farm. We have a strong research program that utilizes farms and agricultural facilities at our three Georgia campuses in Athens, Griffin and Tifton.

Our laboratory, greenhouse and field work research gives our graduate students hands on experience as part of their professional development.

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What to do before applying to the UGA Horticulture MS or PhD Graduate Program

Graduate faculty are listed in the Horticulture Graduate Handbook.
Explore our webpage and find a research program of interested and speak to our graduate faculty in an area of insterest to see if they are accepting new graduate students.
Consider the possibility of a Graduate Research Assitantship and discuss that with our gradute faculty as you explore our programs.
Finding a graduate faculty advisor interested in taking you on as a Research Assistantship, or as a TAP or independently funded student will improve your chances of getting accepted into our graduate program.
Generally speaking, individuals applying to the Horticulture PhD program are typically NOT accepted without an existing MS degree.

Student wearing dark goggles smiles in a laboratory

A PhD Graduate Research Assistant studies far-red LED lights in the Plant Physiology laboratory.

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Horticulture MS and PhD Applicants

Applicants must apply through the UGA Graduate School with the following required materials. The Horticulture graduate program does NOT require GRA scores, although they are optional to include. UGA Graduate School Admissions

UGA Graduate School application with the paid application processing fee (non-refundable)
Unofficial transcripts from each attended academic institution. The standard GPA required for entry into the UGA Graduate School is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
A Statement of Purpose
A minimum of three Letters of Recommendation
A Resume or Curricullum Vitae (CV)
International students will need to provide additional information. Prospective students can view more country-specific applicant requirements.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores demonstrating English proficiency for applicants with degrees from non-US accredited institutions in countries where English is not the primary/official languate. The UGA Graduate School is strict about their minimum requirements on these tests.
- Certificate of Finances

Student checks plants in hydroponics system.

A graduate students works on hydroponic lettuce research in our Controlled Environment Agriculture laboratory facility.

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Travel Grants for Prospective or Recently Accepted Graduate Students

Graduate faculty advisors with prospective or recently accepted graduate students may apply for a travel grant to visit the Horticulture Department at UGA.

Awards are need-based and will only serve as a reimbursement of actual expenses. Students are limited to receiving funding once per academic year. To Complete Your Travel Grant Application Packet

The prospective or future Advisor will fill in the Travel Grant Application for Graduate Student Recruitment form.
Once completed, the Advisor will upload the completed application into the Travel Grant Submission link.
Once the application is submitted, the Department Head is automatically notified for review.