The Plant and Soil Sciences graduate program offers several specialty areas, such as biotechnology, breeding, genetics, horticulture, soil microbiology, organic farming, bioenergy and much more. This program is flexible in terms of research and course work so that students can achieve their career-inspired and individual objectives. Students complete a total of ~30 credit hours that include a research (thesis option) or professional project (non-thesis option). Find out more about the plant and soil sciences research program in this area http://www.tuskegee.edu/academics/colleges/caens/daes/graduate_programs/pss.aspx. Graduates of the program are successfully pursuing careers with government, academia, and industry. Numerous graduates have also gone on to further their education in graduate programs and law school at universities across the country.

Departmental Admissions Requirements:

• Applicants must have completed a B.S. degree from a department of approved standing and granted by an accredited college or university, preferably in Plant and Soil Sciences, biology, or a related area to be considered for the Master’s program in Plant and Soil Sciences.
• Prerequisite academic work should provide evidence that the application shall be able to pursue the graduate course effectively.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or better is required for regular admission; however, student with a cumulative GPA of 2.7-2.99/4.0 will be considered for conditional admittance.

University Admissions Requirements:

• Although it is required that applicants submit GRE scores to complete the admissions application, no minimum is required.
• Official Transcript from all colleges/universities attended (International Students must have transcripts translated through World Education Services -WES).
• Completed Application along with the required amount of application fees
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• GRE Scores
• Financial Affidavit (International Students -only)
• Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores (International students only).

Other:

Professional Development Document/Thesis
The final draft of the non-thesis document or the thesis must be filed with the student’s Advisory/Examining Committee at least 30 days before the date listed in the university calendar for final copies to be submitted during the semester in which the student expects to graduate. The student must present to the Dean of Graduate Programs a “Preliminary Approval Sheet” (PAS) bearing the signature of the Major Professor before the final oral examination may be scheduled and before copies of the thesis are distributed to members of the Advisory/Examining Committee. After the “Preliminary Approval Sheet” has been signed, it should be submitted to the Dean of Graduate Programs before the final examination is scheduled and before the final draft of the thesis/dissertation is prepared for final approval. Approval of the Professional Development Document/Thesis in its final form rests with the Advisory/Examining Committee.

Transfer Credits
A maximum of nine (9) semester hours may be transferred from graduate courses taken at other university provided the student has grades of “B” or better in these courses. For students who are pursuing a second Master’s degree at Tuskegee University nine hours of credit are transferable from courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the first degree. Correspondence course credits are not acceptable. Transfer credits may be recommended under both core and elective categories.

Admission to Candidacy
Immediately after completing 15 credits of course work at Tuskegee University, the student must submit to the Dean of Graduate Studies, a completed application for the Candidacy for the degree.

Seminars
A student pursuing the Master of Science degree in Plant and Soil Sciences must present at least two seminars. The first seminar (AGSC 0600) shall be the presentation of the student’s research proposal of the Master’s thesis. The second (AGSC 0604) shall be his/her final seminar. The student is also required to participate in all seminars arranged by the department regardless of if he or she is enrolled in the course or not.

Research and Teaching Assistantships
Funding through research and teaching assistantships is available for accepted graduate students on a competitive basis. While thesis option students may qualify for support for tuition and stipend; non-thesis option students may only qualify for a work study (15 hr/wk). Research and teaching assistants are expected to provide service to the Department through conducting or assisting with research, teaching and other projects related to the college. Continuation of the financial support depends on student’s performance in course work, satisfactory progression on research/professional development project and availability of funds.