Global Plant Breeding, Master of Science

Program Overview

With a need to double food production by 2050 using fewer resources, students entering the Global Plant Breeding program will be prepared to develop climate-resilient crops that can thrive in sustainable systems. New tools and technologies increase the efficiency of plant breeding, but few plant breeders are trained on new breeding tools (NBTs). Our online degree in plant breeding is accessible worldwide to students interested in utilizing these tools to hit the ground running by obtaining an advanced degree. The curriculum in the Global Plant Breeding (GPB) online masters program is designed with careers in the public and private sectors in mind. The core courses in the GPB MS use real-time plant breeding systems as case studies to showcase the use of core and cross-cutting concepts in practice.

Program Outcomes

This program is designed with a non-thesis final project within a capstone course. This allows students to apply knowledge gained in the program to improve a crop of choice with a specific location and traits in mind. The program is available to a global audience including professional plant breeders who wish to obtain a higher degree. It also provides opportunities for collaboration and networking with peers from around the world working on the same (or different) crop/s at different locations.

Through our Program You’ll:

Complete training in plant breeding practice in less than two years with an online asynchronous option to provide greater flexibility.

Obtain hands-on experience in plant breeding at a local university, research institution, or private company (through an internship or at your current place of employment, if applies) through an independent study.

Complete 30 credits with 2-3 credit courses, an Independent Study, and a final Capstone course that includes defending a non-thesis project designed to apply new breeding tools in plant breeding practice.

Learn design thinking and leadership skills to develop and manage a plant breeding program with a focus on desirable and feasible outcomes.
Obtain a master’s degree from Michigan State University, the premier land-grant university in the US.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

Use plant breeding core concepts and cross-cutting concepts in the Plant Breeding practice.

Survey the needs of the entire crop value chain to determine breeding objectives that are locally relevant (environmentally sustainable), biologically possible, and economically feasible.

Effectively evaluate existing germplasm and assemble genetic variability needed to fulfill breeding objectives.

Decide on the best tools, technologies, and collaborations necessary to achieve breeding objectives with desirable outcomes that are economically feasible.

Adhere to regulations required for accessing germplasm, using new breeding tools for improving crops, and disseminating varieties.

Career Outlook

Plant Breeding is a rapidly evolving field with a newly developed curriculum to cater to the growing needs of the plant breeding profession and practice.

The Global Plant Breeding MS online is created for:

Students seeking to complete a fast-track master’s degree

Professionals currently employed at seed companies, field crop/fruit breeding companies, CGIAR centers, or National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS)

Universities who wish to update their plant breeding knowledge with a flexible and cost-effective remote option.

With a curriculum that allows students to choose a crop, location, and traits important for their local communities or place of employment, students can focus on applying their knowledge to research projects that directly prepare them for job opportunities. Upon completion, students will have a valuable degree from a top-ranking agricultural institution. They’ll gain the necessary skills to seek employment in public and/or private plant breeding programs and/or be eligible for a promotion if already employed at an institution involved in crop improvement. All of this can be achieved in less than two years without leaving current employment, families, states, or countries!

Tuition & Fees per credit

In-State Tuition

Out-of-State Tuition

$978.25

Private loans and MSU scholarships are available to qualified graduate students pursuing their master’s in Global Plant Breeding MS Online. For more information on private student loans, review the corresponding information at Graduate Loan Resources. Review Gift Aid for scholarship options. Once the program is approved by the U.S. Department of Education, students will be evaluated for federal loan eligibility.

Cost of Attendance

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.

Course Information

Core Courses

CSS 441 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology (3 credits)
CSS 451 Biotechnology Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetics (3 credits)
CSS 815 Statistics for Plant Breeders (3 credits)
CSS 816 R Modules for Plant Breeders (2 credits)
CSS 817 Global Plant Breeding Regulations (2 credits)
CSS 818 Design Thinking and Leadership for Plant Breeders (2 credits)
CSS 830 Breeding for Quantitative Traits (3 credits)
CSS 831 Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stresses (3 credits)
CSS 832 Global Seed Systems (3 credits)
CSS 890 Independent Study (3 credits)
CSS 870 Capstone in Global Plant Breeding (3 credits)

Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4
CROP 441- Plant Breeding & Biotechnology(Cholani Weebadde)	CSS 831 – Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stresses(Cholani Weebadde)	CSS 830 – Breeding for Quantitative Traits(Drew Mitchel)	CSS 890 – Independent Study(At selected location – Cholani Weebadde)
CSS 451 – Biotechnology Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetics(Sarah Lee)	CSS 817 – Global Plant Breeding Regulations(Cholani Weebadde, Julia Miller & Tom Herlache)	CSS 832 – Global Seed Systems(Krista Isaacs)	CSS 870 – Capstone in Global Plant Breeding(Cholani Weebadde)
CSS 815 – Statistics for Plant Breeders (Sarah Lee)	CSS 816 – R Modules for Plant Breeders (Drew Mitchel)	CSS 818 – Design Thinking and Leadership for Plant Breeders(Hashini Galhena Dissanayake & Cholani Weebadde)	DEFENSE

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A bachelor's degree with grade point average of 3.0; completed at least one college-level introductory course in Advanced Mathematics, Biology and Genetics
Completed 15 undergraduate credit hours in plant science coursework*
Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV)

*Those who do not have at least 15 undergraduate credit hours in plant science coursework may still apply if they have one or more years of plant science and/or agriculture experience.

Provide a resume or test scores from a standardized graduate or professional school test such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, or LSAT, which may be waived if the applicant has a previously conferred graduate or professional degree

TOEFL/IELTS if English is not your native language
A written personal statement detailing your interest and experience in plant breeding and personal career goals
3 letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all previous schools

Your Checklist for Completing a Global Plant Breeding Online Master's Degree Application:

Acquire: Official transcripts of grades from all schools after high school should be sent to Grad Admission, 426 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI 48824. (The minimum academic requirement for admission into a graduate program is a grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.) International transcripts should be translated to English, including GPA, and both original and translated hard copies are required.
Send: Three letters of recommendation are to be submitted by the recommender using the Recommendation for Admission form provided with the application. These are VERY important; we take these letters very seriously when reviewing your application. Your recommenders will need adequate time to write the letters so request letters early to avoid delays.
Write: Two statements - Personal and Academic. These are also very
important, and your statements are taken very seriously when reviewing your
applications. They do not have a minimum or maximum length but speak to your genuine interest in the program to advance your personal and professional goals.
Test: An English Language Test is required for all international applicants. Review this information on the Graduate School site for more details.

Note: GRE is optional, and not required for our program.

Financial Support: Establish proof of financial support. All applicants are required to formally establish proof of financial support, regardless of the source.
Waivers: Application fee payment waivers - The several waiver programs are detailed on the grad school website. The eligibility for waivers extends to “students who possess qualities and experiences that enhance the diversity of the intellectual, cultural and social environments at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities” through the Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp program, McNair Scholars, and students that participated in targeted conferences and events (e.g., SACNAS, ABRCMS, AISES, ERN, SROP). Notably, the Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp program extends waivers to “those who have been traditionally underrepresented in graduate education, including racial and ethnic minorities, women in STEM, first-generation college students, and individuals who have faced adversity, such as societal, economic or academic disadvantages.

Once your completed application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Graduate Programs Committee in the Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences Department. The Graduate Programs Committee meets monthly throughout the academic year and will not meet from May through July.

Application Deadlines

Spring applications must be received before November, while Summer applications must be received by March 15.

Once your application is deemed acceptable, we will reach out regarding the next steps in the admission process.

Global Plant Breeding

Master of Science

Online

Course Delivery

30

Total Credits

$978.25

Credit Hour

1.5 years

Minimum Duration

Cholani Weebadde, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Plant Breeder for International Programs

Program Overview

Program Outcomes

Career Outlook

Career Pathways and Potential Earnings

Key Dates

Spring Semester

Application Deadline

Summer Semester

Application Deadline

Tuition & Fees per credit

Cost of Attendance

The MSU Value Promise

Next Steps