Online Horticulture and Human Health Master’s Degree

Degree Overview

Learn to support human health through horticultural science and innovation

Horticulture plays an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of all people. Learn to develop plant-based solutions to improve human health. Explore the complex dynamics between plant cultivation, agricultural science, nutrition, and human health as you learn to create solutions to complex problems.

Gain the skills you need to make an impact

After successfully completing this master’s program, you will:

Expand your knowledge of both horticulture and human health, specifically in the areas of plant biology, food and medicinal crop production, human nutrition, and the development and treatment of chronic disease.
Understand how to construct systems-level intervention plans that state and test hypotheses about plants and human health to achieve meaningful technical objectives.
Construct systems-level health plans that include growing plants for food and medicine.
Develop and apply effective communication skills for both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Study In A Flexible, Online Format

earn your master’s degree from a respected, regionally accredited public research university in Colorado without traveling to a campus. Balance your academic studies with your career and personal obligations.

Although this program is entirely online, you will still interact closely with both instructors and peers. You will also have access to many of the same resources and services as CSU’s resident students.

Explore Careers

Graduates of this program may seek employment in the following fields:

Horticultural and greenhouse operations
Crop production research and development
Horticultural business management
Plant pathology
Nutraceutical product development
Public health policy
Public health education
Healthcare and nutrition
Food science research
Personal health coaching

Faculty

Henry Thompson

Henry Thompson, a professor in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department within CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences, focuses his research on human nutrition and breast cancer prevention.

Adam Heuberger

Adam Heuberger is a professor in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department within CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on chemical diversity in plants.

Davina Rhodes

Davina Rhodes is a professor in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department within CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Her research focuses on plant nutritional genomics.

Curriculum

A minimum of 35 credits are required to complete this program.

First Year – Fall

HORT 401 - Medicinal and Value-Added Uses of Plants (3 cr.)
HORT 521 - Horticulture and Human Health and Well-Being (3 cr.)
Electives (3-4 cr.)

First Year - Spring

HORT 515 - Urban Horticulture (3 cr.)
OR
AGRI 515 - Urban Horticulture (3 cr.)
HORT 522 - Horticulture and Human Health Issues (3 cr.)
HORT 578 - Phytochemicals and Probiotics for Health (3 cr.)

Second Year - Fall

HORT 523 - Screening Crops for Human Health Traits (3 cr.)
HORT 698 - Research (3-5 cr.)
HORT 792 - Seminar (1 cr.)

Second Year - Spring

HORT 524 - Food Pharmacology, Horticulture, and Health (3 cr.)
HORT 698 - Research (4-5 cr.)
HORT 792 - Seminar (1 cr.)
Electives (2-3 cr.)

Program Total Credits: 35-40

Electives

Select at least two courses and a minimum of 5 credits:

FSHN 530 - Principles of Nutrition Science & Metabolism (3 cr.)
FSHN 531 - Diet, Nutrition, and Chronic Disease (3 cr.
FSHN 532 - Emerging Issues in Nutrition (3 cr.)
FSHN 540 - Nutrigenomics and Advanced Lipid Metabolism (3 cr.)
HORT 310 - Greenhouse Management (4 cr.)
HORT 410 - Postharvest Biology and Technology (3 cr.)
HORT 453 - Principles of Fruit Crop Management (3 cr.)
HORT 454 - Horticulture Crop Production and Management (2 cr.)
HORT 476 - Environmental Plant Stress Physiology (3 cr.)
HORT 511 - Green Roof Culture (3 cr.)

How to Apply

Application Deadlines

Fall semester	July 15
Spring semester	December 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 master’s degree requires applicants to have the following:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework
GRE not required

Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.

2 Prepare Application Materials

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.

Three letters of recommendation
Three professional recommendations are required. You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf.

Resume or vita
Your resume should contain the following:

Record of all education and training, including names of institutions, periods of attendance, and degree earned
Record of all professional employment including dates of service (including military)
List of any special skills or competencies (including certifications and licensures)
List of publications, exhibitions, prizes, awards, or other recognition
List of service activities (including community and charitable)

Statement of purpose
The statement of purpose is typically 1-2 pages and briefly describes:

Your background
Your educational goals and leadership potential
Your research interests and experience
Why you are a good fit in the program
Motivation for pursuing graduate work in horticulture and human health

3 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.

Select "Horticulture / Horticulture and Human Health (M.S.) – Distance" when choosing the Program of Study.?

4 Request Transcripts

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

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 promptly 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.