Graduate Education

Graduate Degrees Offered

The Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky offers graduate study toward the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Both of our degree programs are research-oriented; we do not offer a non-thesis option.

Dual Degree with Brazil

Students can also take advantage of a new and exciting opportunity to simultaneously obtain Doctoral degrees in Plant Pathology from the University of Kentucky and from the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, in Brazil.  This dual degree is the first of its kind for a Plant Pathology program in the United States, and it offers a unique bicultural educational experience to interested and highly motivated students.

Mentoring & Career Focus

The department promotes a tradition of close interaction among students, postdoctoral scholars, visiting scientists, staff specialists, and faculty. We maintain a high faculty-to-student ratio to ensure that every student receives individualized attention and support. Every student has a primary research mentor (the Major Professor) and an Advisory Committee devoted to helping the student reach her or his professional goals. We have an outstanding record of placing graduates in academia, biotechnological industries, agricultural Extension, and government and private research institutions.