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Horticulture and Human Health Graduate Certificate

12
Credits to Earn Your Certificate
95%
CSU Online Grad Students Secured Plans Related to Their Career
93%
Grad Students Would Choose CSU Online Again
$498M
In research expenditures in FY23
Certificate Overview Open Accordion

Earn your Horticulture and Human Health Certificate online

Although our ability to cultivate plants has become much more sophisticated, our understanding of horticulture’s impacts on human health is just beginning. Significant potential exists for horticultural and agricultural industries to impact human health in both positive and negative ways. This transdisciplinary graduate certificate program gives you the historical context and scientific understanding to better evaluate potential health impacts. In addition to growing your understanding of both horticultural science and the study of human health, this program puts your analytical skills to the test.

Exploring the intersection of agriculture and health

As more consumers seek to utilize plant-based foods to maintain or improve personal health, a growing number of individuals and companies attempt to source or create food that can be marketed for its health benefits. Unfortunately, this process is often fraught with insufficient, misleading, and sometimes patently false information.

Considering the increase in obesity and chronic disease around the world, a clear need exists for the healthcare and agricultural communities to collaboratively support (and better understand) human health without significantly impacting food production. These challenges can be met in part by giving entrepreneurial professionals the analytical skills to systematically improve the development, access, and utilization of the human food supply to facilitate chronic disease prevention in a manner consistent with the 21st century mandates for energy independence, environmental sustainability, and food security and safety.

As a student in this program, you will expand your understanding of core horticultural and human health concepts. After completing this graduate certificate, you will:

  • Possess knowledge in disciplines related to horticulture and human health, specifically in plant biology, food and medicinal crop production, human nutrition, and the development and treatment of chronic disease
  • Be exposed to thought leaders from around the world who are actively engaged in pertinent research
  • Think critically about complex challenges and organize information to begin solving problems
  • Critically examine the impact of horticultural practices on human health and well-being
  • Evaluate health claims related to food, landscapes, and public health
  • Design and perform an intervention plan that tests a hypothesis and achieves a meaningful technical objective
  • Learn to communicate and collaborate with peers more effectively
  • Motivate others by understanding how to change behaviors, even when change is difficult

Who should take this program?

Although anyone with an interest in personal health can benefit from studying in this program, the course material will be particularly useful for people who work in (or plan to work in) the following industries:

  • Public health
  • Healthcare
  • Horticulture
  • Agribusiness
  • Food product development
  • Food science research
  • Food pharmacology
  • Nutrition
  • Personal health coaching
  • Physical training
  • Sports nutrition
  • Landscaping
  • Education
Faculty Open Accordion

Henry Thompson – Professor

Henry Thompson

Henry Thompson is a professor in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department within CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences. His research interests include human nutrition and breast cancer prevention.

Curriculum Open Accordion

To earn this graduate certificate, you must complete all four required courses. Please note that you must be admitted into this program for the certificate to appear on your official University transcript.

Required Courses

How to Apply Open Accordion

Application Deadlines

Fall semester August 1
Spring semester January 1

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

Apply Now

1Review Admission Requirements

This online graduate certificate requires that students have an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution.

Statement of purpose

  • Your purpose for pursuing graduate education and how it will contribute to your long-term goals and career plans
  • Why you have selected Colorado State University as the place to pursue your graduate studies
  • A description of teaching, research/creative, or other academic work you have engaged in relevant to the qualifications.

2 Complete Online Application

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.

  • Choose "Horticulture and Human Health (Certificate) – Distance" when choosing the Program of Study.
    (Note: You must first select "Certificate" at the top.)

3 Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript from the institution where you earned your bachelor’s degree. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary):
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

For International Applicants

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.

Questions?

We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.

Morgan Parsley
Prospective Student Support Coach
Schedule Time to Talk

Program Details

Courses
Online
Credits
12
Tuition
$634 per credit
Same in-state tuition for all.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships Tuition/fees are just part of the cost to attend CSU. Learn more about the full Cost of Attendance
Certificate Awarded
Horticulture and Human Health Graduate Certificate
Time Frame
Can be completed in two years
Admission Reqs.
  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution.

Application Dates

Fall semester
August 1
Spring semester
January 1

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