MS/PhD Field of Plant Breeding

Genetic improvement of crop plants for the benefit of society

Graduate study in Cornell's Integrative School of Plant Science is organized into five Graduate Fields providing unparalleled opportunities to connect disciplines, creatively solve problems, and integrate complex systems, preparing graduates for diverse careers and futures as leaders in science and society.

Students specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetics are prepared with a solid foundation of coursework and participate in cutting-edge research to improve cultivated plant species though the application of genetics and related sciences. Graduates of this program are ready for many exciting opportunities, including careers in industry, research, agricultural extension, international programs, and the public sector.

Most of the faculty advisors in the Field of Plant Breeding are affiliated with the Section of Plant Breeding and Genetics in the School of Integrative Plant Science.

Before you apply

If you are considering applying to one of the SIPS MS/PhD graduate fields for the Fall 2025 application period, please contact the individual field faculty whose program you're most interested in to confirm whether they have funding for new students in the coming year. Funding for students is very limited, and we don’t want you to apply to programs where there is no option for support.

Apply to the Graduate Field of Plant Breeding

Plant Breeding

Graduate Field Concentrations

The MS/PhD Graduate Field of Plant Breeding has two concentrations:

Plant Breeding: Development of plant materials for greater yield, disease resistance, climate resilience, and quality

Plant Genetics: Molecular genetic studies to identify important genes, compare genomes, assess diversity, and develop bioinformatic tools

Requirements

Program metrics, demographics and outcomes

Select the graduate field of interest from the pull-down menu on the linked page

Contact Us

Ayesha Al-Hashimi
Graduate Field Coordinator
231 Emerson Hall
Phone: 607-255-9573
Email: aa2849 [at] cornell.edu (aa2849[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Kelly Robbins
Director of Graduate Studies
102b Beebe Hall
Email: krr73 [at] cornell.edu (krr73[at]cornell[dot]edu)

More information about graduate study in Plant Breeding

See these links for information specific to MS/PHD studies in the Field of Plant Breeding

Learn more about graduate study in SIPS

Five interrelated Graduate Fields are associated with the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) with many resources common to all