Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Define plant characteristics, use, identification, and taxonomy and differentiate between a wide range of horticulturally important plant species, including both woody and herbaceous species.
•  Apply proper safety procedures and their application in the workplace.
• Apply principles of agroecology and sustainable horticultural practices that reduce the environmental footprint of horticultural production and contribute to long-term sustainability.
• Articulate pest identification, taxonomy, integrated pest management (IPM), and control strategies that use ecologically sustainable approaches.
• Discuss the integration and utilization of advanced technologies, such as sensors, drones, and artificial intelligence applications, to enhance precision farming practices in horticulture, for optimizing crop yields, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
• Apply practical expertise in orchard production and management by using industry best practices to maximize fruit quality and yield.
• Design and maintain landscapes using a range of plant materials, hardscape features and sustainable practices.
• Apply principles and practices of growing and marketing crops on a small scale for local markets.
• Apply principles of plant propagation, greenhouse management, and garden center/nursery operations for successful plant cultivation and sales.
• Discuss soil science's role in horticultural production, and interpret soil test results, analyze soil conditions, and implement corrective measures for optimal plant growth.
• Explain concepts of tree biology, identification, planting, and maintenance practices, including pruning, tree risk assessment and disease management.

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

New first-year applicants must finish secondary school in their home country by the time of enrollment to be eligible for university (comparable to the completion of senior high school in the U.S.). A student who has previously enrolled in a post-secondary (higher education) institution is required to apply as a transfer student.

First-year undergraduate applicants should meet the minimum requirement of GPA 2.5 on a U.S. 4.0 scale. Check for specific majors' selective requirements. Students who want a particular program but do not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for the pre-major.

If you are applying for first-year or transfer admission, you are not required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) as per Kent's Test-Optional Policy.

HONORS COLLEGE
International students with outstanding intellectual and creative ability are encouraged to apply to the Honors College. Honors students participate in special classes, taught by distinguished faculty, which are small and emphasize active participation.

All international undergraduate applicants must submit an English language proficiency test score to be considered for a Kent State program unless they meet specific exceptions or apply for conditional admissions.

All undergraduate applicants must obtain one of the following:

TOEFL iBT: 71; Home Edition iBT: 71
Revised PBT: 18 (average score)
IELTS Academic and IELTS indicator: 6.0
Duolingo:100
PTE Academic: 48
Completion of the Kent State University ESL Center Level 8 Intensive English program with a minimum of 3.75 out of 4.0 GPA
ELS Level 112 Intensive English Program completion
SAT: a minimum of 510 evidence-based reading and writing
ACT: a minimum of 21 in English
Please note, Kent State accepts MyBest™ scores for the TOEFL iBT® test, in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date.