This degree program provides students with knowledge in the fields of plant and environmental biology so they can resolve ecological issues.

Degree Benefits:

  • $73,230* average annual salary for Environmental Scientists
  • 8% job growth outlook for Environmental Scientists*

Career Options Include:

  • Plant/Soil Scientist
  • Farm Manager
  • Food Scientist

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm (visited March 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

First, you’re going to have to take a set number of credits at minimum each quarter or semester. If you have chosen a major in Plant Science without any concentrations, you’ll likely be able to complete your courses and earn your degree sooner.


Even better, one university will allow you to earn academic credit for several forms of applied education and real-world experience including job-related courses and military training.


This university requires its Plant Science majors to earn at least 120 semester hours for a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science. For those students who want to earn a Plant Science Bachelors, they will need to take at least 120 semester hours to graduate. If you take at least 12 credit hours per semester, you’ll earn your degree in five years; if you take 15 credit hours per semester, you’ll graduate in closer to four years.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


We consider the choice of major to be an important decision for students when selecting Plant Science schools or programs. Plant Science is a broad field, and it has a wide potential for developing specializations and expertise. The student should pause and study the situation carefully. It is important to connect the choice of school with the career goals and employment objectives. Students should be sure that the school is well-equipped to provide high-quality Plant Science education in the subject areas of greatest interest.


Students must look at the curriculum to determine if the subject will be covered thoroughly and in the areas of study that will be most beneficial.

Courses required to obtain a bachelor's degree in Plant Science consist of general core courses that Freshman and Sophomores take and Junior and Senior level courses focus more on the major concentration classes. Associate degrees, on the other hand, normally prepare grads for entry-level with the basic skills and expertise required in a field. Affiliate's levels can likewise allow students to finish general education and learning demands with a two-year program, then later transfer right into a four-year program. There are two major titles of bachelor's levels: BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BS (Bachelor of Science). There are bachelor's degree programs in a wide range of majors, consisting of STEM subjects, social sciences, arts, and all kinds of specific subjects. You can find some sample major concentration courses that you may be required to take below:

  • Ecology of Managed Landscapes
  • Organic Agriculture
  • Plant Breeding & Genetics
  • Plant Computational Biology
  • Plant Evolution and Systematics
  • Plant Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
  • Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
  • Plants and Human Health
  • Public Garden Management
  • Soil Science
  • Sustainable Plant Production

About 41% of college students complete their four-year Plant Science degree on time. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center study if the question suggests that money is a large factor in the rate of non-achievement. In-state public college tuition rates have traditionally been the lower range for leading schools. Today, the annual in-state tuition average is over $9,000 per year. Private schools average more than $30,000 per year. Many students run out of money and take reduced course loads to accommodate increased work and other money-making activities. Low per-semester credit-hour rates means more time required to complete a Plant Science degree. Reducing the per semester course load from 15 to 12 credit hours can add a year to the time needed to complete a degree.


Among the reasons cited for the low rate of four-year completion were student decisions in course selection. Many students choose interesting subjects and neglect to grab key courses when available. The failure to take a required course when offered can add a semester to the completion of a major or concentration.


The student experience is a vital piece of information. The graduation rate is often a predictor of the student experience. Factors that can influence late graduation include the availability of required coursework and dropouts for financial reasons. School surveys often have information similar to customer satisfaction information on other businesses. It may be useful to see responses from recent graduates about their experiences. The student survey observations will not predict your experience, but they can lead to productive questions about the school and the Plant Science degree program.

Accreditation is a very important facet of your career since, if the college you attend is accredited by a reputable association, the Plant Science degree you earn from that college will have more value and some employers include this information when evaluating you for employment.


The reason why accreditation is so important is that, without it, it’s hard to determine what kind of standards the training programs hold and if they are up to date with technology and innovation.


A college gets accredited voluntarily by an association of their choice. The association will interview and inspect the college thoroughly to see if they meet their standards of everything from cleanliness to academics and, if the college passes the inspection, the association puts their stamp on them as an assurance that they meet all their requirements.


Employers today want only the best of the best working for them. Some businesses are even willing to pay for the education of potential candidates. So, when it comes to degrees, most employers look at the accreditor of the school you earned your degree from, since this says a lot about the kind of education you acquired. If an employer is willing to go so far as to pay for a student’s education, imagine what kind of salary they will offer to those holding a degree from a highly reputable association.

Many colleges offer career services and job placement programs to help you get on the fast track to employment. Although you may assume that all Plant Science colleges offer this service, some don't provide as much assistance as you are led to believe. The best programs for post-graduate assistance include help with job placement both before graduation and continued support as you advance in your career. These programs can also assist you in preparing your resume so it maintains a competitive edge on the job market, work with you as you prepare for job interviews, and advise you on your job performance.