MSc in Horticulture - Horticultural Food Science in Stillwater United States | Oklahoma State University

The world's growing reliance on technological progress and sustainable resource management will demand more professionals capable of tackling increasingly sophisticated challenges. The Master of Science in horticulture program enables students to customize their career trajectory by choosing from diverse specialization areas under the guidance of faculty in OSU's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Program Structure
Students can earn their horticulture master's degree through either the horticultural science track or the horticultural practice track.


Horticultural Science Track

This path requires completing at least 30 credit hours, including
6 credits of HORT 5000, Thesis Research.

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices contribute essential nutrients, vibrant flavors, and appealing colors to our diets. These plants contain beneficial bioactive compounds (nutraceuticals) that provide nutritional benefits, though their concentrations may fluctuate without proper storage or processing. Growing conditions affect both crop yields and their phytochemical content. Our research and instruction give students practical experience in cultivation techniques, postharvest preservation methods, and analysis of plant-based compounds for both fresh and processed foods. Those focusing on this area may explore methods to enhance nutrient preservation, develop techniques to extract and stabilize beneficial compounds, or adopt a comprehensive field-to-table approach combining cultivation with improved shelf life and nutritional quality. This specialization, which examines edible crops within food systems, serves as excellent preparation for doctoral studies in Food Science, Environmental Science, or Plant Science programs.