Studies are possible in a wide variety of commodities and subject areas, including fruits, vegetables, weeds, cereals, grains, turfgrass, woody ornamentals, and public horticulture. Students may specialize in one or more disciplines, including plant protection, molecular biology, breeding, genetics, biotechnology, physiology, ecology, culture and management.

Students must be fully committed to their graduate program, are expected to participate in departmental and professional activities, and assume full responsibility for knowledge and compliance with rules and regulations of the Graduate Council and Department.? Retention is dependent on the student maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in graduate courses taken at UT and completing other milestones in a timely manner (e.g., forming a committee, completion of coursework, submitting a research proposal, making progress in project or research objectives, and thesis/dissertation preparation).