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Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: School of Agriculture and Food Systems

Horticulture and Plant Sciences, BSAgr

Horticulture is the science of the production, processing and marketing of fruit, vegetable, greenhouse and landscape crops. In our program, you will study the physiology, culture, harvest, quality control, sales and utilization of horticultural crops.

Plan to experience a vast amount of learning outside the classroom – and get a little dirty – in our state-of-the-art greenhouse where you’ll learn skills like propagation and plant production.

The nature of horticulture has changed as areas become more urban. Our program focuses on landscape management and production of nursery and greenhouse plants, which help meet the aesthetic needs in growing urban environments.

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Plants are the root of what makes our world healthy and beautiful. Our students study the physiology, culture, harvest, quality control, sales and utilization of horticultural crops.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Horticulture Production

  • Regenerative Agriculture

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Grow your knowledge as one of five summer interns on our organic research farm.
  • Small-school environment with all the resources of a large university. You’ll benefit from one-on-one faculty interactions and develop a close relationship with your faculty and peers.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Median Salary: $83,770

Possible job titles include: Greenhouse Manager, Grower, Nursery Manager, Production Manager, Aquaculture Director.

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First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service and Groundskeeping Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

Median Salary: $55,740

Possible job titles include: Golf Course Superintendent, Grounds Supervisor, Landscape Manager, Landscape Supervisor.

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Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.

Median Salary: $34,470

Possible job titles include: Gardener, Greenhouse Worker, Grower, Field Irrigation Worker.

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Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $43,180

Possible job titles include: Independent Crop Consultant, Precision Agriculture Specialist, Precision Agronomist, Regional Agronomist.

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Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $85,260

Possible job titles include: Agriculture Professor, Animal Science Professor, Instructor, Professor.

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First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Median Salary: $57,320

Possible job titles include: Farm Manager, Fish Hatchery Manager, Fish Hatchery Specialist, Hatchery Manager, Wildlife Manager, Pest Management Supervisor, Logging Supervisor.

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Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Horticulture and Plant Sciences major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Horticulture and Plant Sciences at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Horticulture and Plant Sciences major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Horticulture and Plant Sciences can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Horticulture and Plant Sciences at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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Visit

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