The M.S. degree is offered in Horticulture. The research requirement for the M.S. degree includes learning how to conduct scientific studies. The Ph.D. degree in Plant Science is administered jointly with the Department of Plant Pathology. The Ph.D. requires original research and development of new knowledge. The Department has graduate assistantships which are awarded on a competitive basis at the discretion of the Department Head.
Interdisciplinary research is strong.
There is excellent cooperation with Plant Pathology, Entomology, Food Science, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences and other departments. The Fruit Substation, Clarksville and the Vegetable Substation, Alma, play crucial roles in the research program. The Southwest Research and Extension Center, Hope, and the Southeast Research and Extension Center, Monticello, are also important cooperators. These faculty members, with most of their time assigned to extension, are administered by the Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock. One is a full-time extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist and is located in Little Rock.