14 Best Agriculture Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

The Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences offers a cooperative Ph.D. program in Horticulture, through a partnership with the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station. The degree is awarded by Texas A&M University; however, much of the course work, research, and graduate advising can be completed at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and/or the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center. Graduate studies leading to this degree can include any aspect of horticulture. Students in the program are highly encouraged to spend at least two semesters in residence at Texas A&M University in College Station and to work under the direction of an advisory committee comprised of members of both university faculties with one committee co-chair from each of the two universities. The committee chairperson must be a faculty member with a faculty appointment from Texas A&M University.

Graduate research programs leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Forestry are designed to prepare students for careers in academic institutions, consulting firms, industry, and state and federal agencies. Forestry graduates interested in research or teaching may concentrate much of their course work in one or more related sciences with a thesis appropriate to forestry.

The Ph.D. degree in Plant Science is administered jointly with the Department of Plant Pathology. The Ph.D. program takes three to four years and requires original research and the development of new knowledge.

This PhD program aims to provide talented and motivated students with in-depth research skills that will allow them to tackle relevant agricultural and environmental problems in mountain areas. Students will have the chance to join a range of training opportunities, seminars, and conferences and to work under the guidance of supervisors within international research teams.

The Ph.D. program in Sustainable Management of Agricultural Forestry and Food Resources builds upon the long term experience in research and teaching of the Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) of the University of Florence.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) students initiate and drive cutting-edge research that with supporting studies, position them to be new leaders in the advancement of their field and for success in a range of careers in industries.

You’ll be prepared for public or private resource management or a related career in research and education. Our particular focus is on the problems and opportunities associated with the integrated management of forest ecosystems.

The Ph.D. in agricultural and environmental sciences program at N.C. A&T teaches students about the complexities of our global food system and how to adapt to emerging challenges around food, energy, and water. This program prepares individuals for successful careers as researchers, faculty, and entrepreneurs and to be active and effective leaders in academia and the agriculture industry in both the public and private sectors. Our doctoral graduates will confront the grand challenges of providing and sustaining a safe and healthy supply of food, fiber, and other products for a burgeoning global population.

This PhD focuses on practices and technologies related to agriculture, forestry, and food production. Students study methods for sustainable management of natural resources, crop improvement, and food security. The program prepares researchers capable of developing innovative solutions to optimize agricultural and forestry resources and ensure the sustainability and quality of food products.

The Department of Plant Sciences offers graduate studies leading to the M.S. degrees in Cereal Science, Plant Sciences, and Horticulture, and to a Ph.D. degree in Cereal Science or Plant Sciences, with an optional Program of Emphasis in Plant Breeding and Genetics. Specialized academic and research training in Plant Sciences is available in plant breeding and genetics, weed science, biotechnology, and field and forage crop production and management. Areas of specialization in Horticulture and Forestry include breeding and genetics, biotechnology, physiology, propagation, sports and urban turfgrass management, and production and management of horticultural crops such as woody plants, potatoes, vegetables, and herbaceous ornamentals. Areas of specialization in Cereal Science may involve research in the areas of carbohydrates, enzymes, legumes, and other northern-grown crops; barley malting and brewing; wheat milling, baking, and pasta processing. Each study area is designed to provide students with comprehension of the discipline and of relevant regional and global-community social issues. The Department of Plant Sciences is located in Loftsgard Hall, which provides a state-of-the-art facility for interdisciplinary research in plant sciences, ranging from basic studies and biotechnology to the more traditional applied areas. Facilities for cereal science research are located in Harris Hall. These facilities include analytical laboratories for grain quality research, baking, milling, malting and brewing, and pasta and noodle processing. State-of-the-art greenhouses and extensive growth chamber facilities are also available, as are 100 acres of field research land adjacent to the Plant Science Complex. An additional 500 acres of research land are located near the North Dakota State University campus. A horticultural farm only 25 miles west of campus has an extensive arboretum. Excellent supporting disciplines located nearby, or in the Plant Science Complex, include Soil Science, Botany, Food Safety, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology. The Department of Plant Sciences encourages interdisciplinary research, and students frequently tailor their research program to meet their interests by working with faculty in one or more of the supporting disciplines. Graduate student numbers per faculty member are limited, so the student gets adequate personal attention and works closely with their adviser in research. The final selection of the adviser will be made on the basis of the student's interest, availability of space in the researcher's laboratory, and a common desire of the student and professor to work together.

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at NDSU offers graduate study leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The program emphasizes solving engineering problems for agricultural production, food and biofuels processing, and environmental resources management.

The purpose of this degree program is to produce graduates who are able to identify new discoveries and apply engineering analyzes to develop sustainable solutions to complex engineering problems. An additional goal is to produce graduates who conduct independent cutting-edge research in biosystems engineering and that can clearly communicate research findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Ph.D. in Food Science

The aim of this research step should cover the theoretical foundations of sustainable agriculture, the design of alternative production systems and technologies and the management of parasitic insects, pathogens and weeds. Guiding and providing solutions through the main agricultural topics, such as plant sciences, agricultural technology and engineering and farm management, using research results and examples from both the developed and undeveloped world.