Crop and Soil Sciences (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The MS in Crop and Soil Sciences offers individually designed study in crop and soil science, recognising that students' backgrounds and post-degree plans vary widely. Students planning a PhD are encouraged to build the master's as part of their overall graduate programme.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Department: Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences | Duration: 30 credits (Plan A thesis or Plan B non-thesis) | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Emphasis areas include plant breeding and genetics; crop physiology, ecology and management; weed science; turfgrass management; soil genesis and classification; soil microbiology and biochemistry; soil physics, chemistry and fertility; and environmental aspects of soil science. All students take a scientific writing course, gain teaching or extension experience and complete responsible conduct of research training; Plan A requires 6-10 credits of CSS 899 and a thesis, Plan B a project of up to 6 credits in CSS 890, each with a public seminar and oral examination.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Regular admission: a bachelor's degree or equivalent, a 3.00 GPA, and appropriate training in the biological and physical sciences and mathematics. Provisional admission is possible for those not meeting regular requirements, with collateral courses required. Students are admitted only once a faculty member agrees to serve as major professor.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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