Program overview
The Plant Breeding concentration within the Integrative Plant Science MPS emphasizes the genetic improvement of plants for the benefit of society by using scientific procedures such as genetics, statistics, genomic selection, and cultivar development. Tools such as applied breeding and genetics, molecular mapping, molecular mapping, genetic engineering, quantitative genetics, gene isolation, molecular genomics and biology, plant tissue culture, and other analytical systems are used to produce new or improved genetically modified plants. These new crops possess desirable characteristics in flower color, growth rate, size of harvested products, flavor, and resistance to diseases and pests.
CALS MPS program details
Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program is an accredited, course-based, one-year master’s degree program that emphasizes professional development and intellectual investigation in the areas of agriculture, life sciences and global development. (The Integrative Plant Science MPS program is STEM-designated degree program.)
Though similar to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in its academic rigor, the MPS degree differs from a traditional M.S. degree in its structure and focus. An M.S. is research-based, with students building a thesis over the course of two or three years. In contrast, the MPS degree is a one-year, course-based program where students study the intricacies and in-depth questions of their field of study. Instead of a thesis or research project, MPS students complete a capstone project during their final semester. To understand this difference in greater detail, please visit our FAQ page.
MPS students are part of a community of diverse students and faculty who share common goals, connecting research and practice to solve complex problems.
The Integrative Plant Science Master of Professional Studies program is a STEM-designated degree with coursework requirements that differ slightly from other MPS programs at Cornell.
Students work with a faculty advisor to map out their individualized course of study based on their areas of interest, and complete a minimum of 30 credit hours related to their concentration of study. While 20 credit hours must be taken within CALS, there is flexibility to take courses across Cornell.
13 credits in the core:
- 5 credits of professional development
- 2 credits of quantitative literacy
- 2-6 credits for project
(If project is less than 6 credits, students must complete more credits in professional development and/or quantitative literacy.)
- 12 credits in concentration-specific courses
- 5 credits of elective courses
- 30 credits total
- 30 credits in graduate level classes (5000+)
- 20 credits in CALS courses
- 18 credits for letter grade
- Gym/language courses do not count towards degree
This project may be an action program, the development of a plan to address a pertinent problem, the development of materials or methodology suited to the student's situation, or the development and execution of research appropriate to the profession. A formal project report must be submitted to and approved by the candidate's faculty advisor.
Next steps
Deadline to apply: February 15*
- Request more information
- How to apply
- Apply now
- calsprofprograms [at] cornell.edu (subject: More%20information%20about%20MPS%20CEA%20admissions) (Email us with questions)
*For regular Fall Semester start. Late applications may be accepted under exceptional circumstances. Contact Tara Reed for more information: tln2 [at] cornell.edu.

Meet some of our Plant Breeding faculty
Faculty spotlight
Mark Bridgen
Bridgen is an ornamental plant breeder, leader in the floriculture industry and director of the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center. His approach involves a balance of basic and applied research. He has expertise in new plant development and breeding, plant cell and tissue culture, and in vitro plant breeding, including somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, mutation breeding, meristem culture for the production of pathogen free plants, and micropropagation.
Faculty spotlight
Mark Bridgen
Bridgen is an ornamental plant breeder, leader in the floriculture industry and director of the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center. His approach involves a balance of basic and applied research. He has expertise in new plant development and breeding, plant cell and tissue culture, and in vitro plant breeding, including somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, mutation breeding, meristem culture for the production of pathogen free plants, and micropropagation.



Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Horticulture Section
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
- (631) 727-3595
- mpb27 [at] cornell.edu
- (607) 255-6381
- sg288 [at] cornell.edu

Associate Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Biology Section
- (607) 255-3273
- mag4 [at] cornell.edu

Professor and Chair
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
- (607) 255-5492
- mag87 [at] cornell.edu

Adjunct Associate Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section
- mlc68 [at] cornell.edu

Associate Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Horticulture Section
Cornell AgriTech
- (315) 787-2463
- jpl275 [at] cornell.edu

Assistant Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
- vm377 [at] cornell.edu

Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
Professor
Department of Global Development
- (607) 254-7475
- rjn7 [at] cornell.edu

Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Biology Section
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
- (607) 254-8745
- wp45 [at] cornell.edu

Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Horticulture Section
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
- (315) 787-2490
- lbs33 [at] cornell.edu

Adjunct Assistant Professor
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
- jv27 [at] cornell.edu
- justine [at] cornell.edu
More information
Application fee waivers - International applicants, as well as U.S. applicants, may be eligible for an application fee waiver for financial hardship and other reasons. More information.
Questions about Integrative Plant Science MPS? Contact us:
Dan Buckley
Director of Graduate Studies
Graduate Field of Integrative Plant Science (IPS)
Phone: (607) 255-1716
Email: dhb28 [at] cornell.edu
Tara Reed
Plant Science IPS-MPS Program Coordinator
Phone: (607) 255-2131
Email: tln2 [at] cornell.edu
Marvin Pritts
IPS-MPS Student Experience Coordinator
Phone: (607) 255-1778
Email: mpp3 [at] cornell.edu