Iowa State Online
Search
Close Search
Apply Now
Toggle Menu
View Categories

Plant Breeding – Master’s

Plant Breeding

Get to the next step in your career. Transform the future of agriculture by driving innovation in yield enhancement, efficiency, and sustainability. Utilize cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, drones, and robotics to empower farmers to maximize productivity while minimizing land use and resource inputs.

At a Glance

30

Total Credits

$750*

Cost Per Credit
*Tuition and fee rates subject to change

2 years+

Time to Complete

Setting you up for what’s next

Cultivate Your Career

You are passionate about plant breeding and eager to take your skills and career to the next level. Iowa State’s online master of science in plant breeding program can help you do that. This innovative online option empowers you to pursue that next goal while maintaining your professional and personal commitments.

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency

For program specific requirements, visit the Graduate College.

Dr. Thomas Lubberstedt
Professor
515-294-5356
thomasl@iastate.edu

Arti Singh
Associate Professor
515-294-0948
arti@iastate.edu

First half of the program

  • AGRON 5010 Crop Growth and Development – 3 credit
  • AGRON 5130: Data Science for Agricultural Professionals – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5060: Crop Genetics – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5110 Crop Improvement – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5990M Creative Component Seminar – 1 credit

Second half of the program

  • AGRON 5230: Plant Molecular Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5440: Host-Pest Interactions – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5280: Quantitative Genetics for Plant Breeding – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5210: Principles of Cultivar Development – 3 credits
  • AGRON 5990C: Creative Component – final oral exam – 2 credits

Students need to pick an “elective course” (or 2) from MS Agronomy or STB, to get to the required 30 credits to complete their MS programs. This / these course(s) can be taken either in the first or second half of the program.

Plant Breeding Student Services Specialist
1126D Agronomy Hall
515-294-4161
agronmsplbr@iastate.edu

Iowa State is a reputable and distinguished institution that provided an MS in Plant Breeding with the flexibility of remote accessibility. While there are many online degrees being offered from a myriad of schools, very few are actually from long-term established schools with merit.

Denia Troxell (’23 plant breeding)

Learn with Experts

Dr. Arti Singh, an Iowa State University Associate Professor, has over 15 years of plant breeding expertise. She has written two textbooks, authored hundreds of research articles and released multiple varieties. Dr. Singh leads breeding programs for mung bean, a new source of protein in the plant-based market. Her interest in plant breeding was sparked by a lecture by Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug since “plant breeding is a perfect blend of science, nature, and innovation.” Dr. Singh leads the Women in Agriculture and AI group, which works internationally at the cross-section of breeding, agriculture, engineering, and artificial intelligence.

A flexible online experience, designed intentionally for you.

With Iowa State’s online programs, your career never has to wait. Gain the same high-quality education and industry-focused knowledge as on campus programs, guided by expert professors preparing you for your next.

Woman walking on a sidewalk next to a glass paned building

Take the next step

Anything is possible at Iowa State University with innovative academic programs, hands-on research opportunities, and globally recognized scholars to support you every step of the way.