Crop and Soil Science Graduate Programs
The Department of Crop and Soil Science offers two graduate programs: Crop Science and Soil Science. The Crop Science degree includes two areas of specialization: Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Entomology. Both programs offer a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
About Our Graduate Programs
The Department of Crop and Soil Science is made up of a dynamic research community, bolstered by our graduate students, dedicated to using innovative methods to expand our basic and applied knowledge of field crops, cropping systems, soils, agricultural watersheds, and crop-related entomology. Our M.S. and Ph.D. degrees require original research presented in a thesis. Students select thesis topics and programs of study in consultation with a graduate committee chaired by their graduate advisor. Research topics and programs of study are highly personalized and tailored to each student’s specific skills, interests, and career goals. Nearly 40 faculty members from Crop and Soil Science serve on the Graduate Faculty. There are Graduate Faculty located on campus as well as at branch experiment stations and federal labs.
Resources
Master of Science (M.S.) Learning Outcomes:
- Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
- Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
- Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.
- Communicate effectively to a diverse group of people using appropriate traditional and emerging technological media.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Learning Outcomes:
- Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
- Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
- Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
- Communicate effectively to a diverse group of people using appropriate traditional and emerging technological media.
The Department of Crop and Soil Science offers various scholarships to our students, including graduate student specific scholarships.
Scholarship information and how to apply:
- Scholarships are awarded annually
- Awarded in various amounts, depending on the different scholarships and funds available
- Scholarships are not guaranteed, application is required annually
- Apply online through ScholarDollars. Applications are open November 1 - February 15
- Additional scholarship opportunities can be found on our department scholarship page
FAQ
- A minimum of 45 graduate credits is required. Minimum of 12 thesis credits (thesis), or 6 research credit (non-thesis) are required.
- Completion of an original research project and successful presentation and submitted thesis, or for the non-thesis option, completion of a research project and report.
- At least one credit of seminar is required for thesis and non-thesis MS students, and two seminar credits are required for the PBG options.
- One term of teaching, three teaching practicum credits, required
- If a minor field is identified, approximately two- thirds of the coursework (30 credits) must be in the major and the rest in the minor field.
- All work for an MS degree must be completed within seven years, including transferred credits, coursework, thesis, and all examinations.
For additional requirements please refer to the CSS Graduate Student Handbook
General degree and credit requirements for all graduate programs can be found on the OSU Academic Catalog
- A total of 108 credits are required to be completed for the PhD degree.
- At least 36 thesis/dissertation credits are required.
- At least two credits of seminar are required, with three credits being required for the PBG options.
- Three to four teaching practicum credits are required. All PhD students are required to teach one term; however, two terms of teaching are desirable.
- Completion of an original research project.
- Pass the final defense thesis and successfully submit a PhD thesis.
- If a minor is declared, it must consist of at least 18 credits, or 15 credits for an integrated minor.
For additional requirements please refer to the CSS Graduate Student Handbook
The general degree and credit requirements for all graduate programs can be found on the OSU Academic Catalog
GRE is not required, it depends on the major professor’s evaluation in case by case basis. If they determine that your language and your holistic credentials are good to start your graduate program without GRE, the Department approves that.
We accept applications at any time of the year, and accepted students can enroll during any academic term. Priority application deadlines are as follows:
- Fall term - June 1
- Winter term - September 1
- Spring term - December 1
- Summer term - March 1
Yes, our department requires that you contact a professor and be accepted into their program before we will admit you. When contacting professors it is helpful to include your transcript, objectives and areas of interest. We recommend that you do not submit an application until you have secured the support of a CSS professor.
In the Department of Crop and Soil Science, arrangements for Research Assistantships are made with individual professors. Funding is limited and it is not central by the Department or the Office of Graduate Education. Applicants are urged to directly contact professors who may have funding for RA positions in their areas of interest.
The Department does award scholarships every year to students and there are scholarships specifically for graduate students. These are awarded in smaller amounts and are not guaranteed each year. You can find more information about our scholarships on our Scholarship page.
You may upload an unofficial transcript temporarily, but if you are admitted you will need to submit official documentation of all academic work attempted or completed. See the OSU Office of Graduate Education website for more information.
The Department does not offer application fee waivers. However, the Office of Graduate Education is able to grant application fee waivers only in limited circumstances for domestic applicants who meet specific criteria. Visit the Graduate Application Fee Waivers page to learn more.
Questions? Contact Us!
Graduate Program Coordinator
Rachel Swindon
[email protected]
Oregon State University
109 Crop Science Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-3002
Phone: 541-737-1286
Fax: 541-737-1589