Plant Science Program Overview

 General Education Course Requirements
(CCP = community college partner courses)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree requirements:

• NMC, NCMC, KCC and WSCC courses are offered every semester at various times and day. Check the Academic Schedule of Classes, published each semester, for details.
• Commercial Horticulture Operations students will have some specialty course substitutions.
• Plant Science students earning an associate degree wishing to transfer into a MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Bachelors of Science degree program (in East Lansing) may complete an approved course package with one additional NMC, NCMC, KCC or WSCC social science course and one additional humanities course each from Group 1 for a total of 8 credit hours in each area.

Tuition:

*This is a dual-enrollment program. Students must be enrolled in both MSU's Institute of Agriculture Technology and Northwestern Michigan College, or North Central Michigan College, or  Kirtland Community College,  or  West Shore Community College.   Tuition rates NMC, NCMC, KCC and WSCC apply for their courses; MSU tuition rates apply to MSU courses. Tuition, fees and course information / schedules subject to change.

For current MSU and Community College tuition and fees check the following web-sites; see

http://www.nmc.edu/records/tuition-fees.html for NMC

http://www.ncmich.edu/studserv/reg_fees.asp for NCMC

http://kirtland.edu for KCC and

https://www.westshore.edu/home.php/academics/tuitionfees for WSCC

http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/ for MSU

Applying to the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology
Complete an application for admission to the Institute of Agricultural Technology, including a $30 application fee, and mail it to the East Lansing address on the form. You'll also have to contact your high school and/or other post-secondary institution to request they send an official transcript to MSU. You'll receive a student number so you can register for classes on-line. There's no need to ever come to East Lansing! And remember, you'll have the assistance of an academic advisor from MSU who is a professional horticulturist and can advise you in choosing courses and making career decisions.

Please complete your MSU application for admission by July 1 for the fall semester or by November 1 for spring semester admission. Students who wish to apply after the deadline should contact the program coordinator.

http://www.hrt.msu.edu/OffCampus/PDF/AgTechApplication101907.pdf

Transferring Previous College Credits to MSU
You may be able to transfer credits earned from previous Colleges or Universities you have attended, to help satisfy some of the Program course requirements. Have official transcripts mailed from previous colleges to the Institute of Agricultural Technology, for evaluation when you apply for admission. Courses that cover similar content will be accepted in transfer if the grade received was a C (2.0) or better. Up to 24 transfer credits may be applied toward completion of the MSU Certificate. Community college courses take as part of the required course work for the MSU Certificate must have a grade of 2.0 or higher to be accepted.

Financial Aid
The Institute of Agricultural Technology, students are eligible for financial aid. The off-campus program students in Traverse City apply for financial aid through the community college partner.

Veterans Education
The programs offered by the Institute of Agricultural Technology are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs as Cooperative Veterans Training Programs. Under some Chapters of Title 38, U.S. Code, veterans may receive educational benefits. Veterans planning to enroll should contact the Veterans Certification Section of the Office of the Registrar to determine their eligibility.

Michigan Works
Students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology are eligible for sponsorship under the guidelines of the Michigan Works Program. Students must arrange sponsorship with the appropriate Michigan Works office.

Scholarships
Scholarships are provided by industry groups and individual business firms and are awarded to students who have demonstrated superior scholastic ability or an outstanding work record.

MSU Course Schedule and Offerings
MSU-North publishes a course schedule that is available to everyone participating in credit courses in Traverse City. The course schedule announces class-meeting dates, times and locations, registration deadlines. You must use computer enrollment to register for classes. If you are in need of assistance in registering, please contact the MSU-North office at: 231-929-3902.

Advising
The MSU Applied Plant Science Program Coordinator is available for personal advising at the MSU-North office in Traverse City, prior to registration for each semester. Call MSU-North to schedule an appointment. You are encouraged to meet regularly with an academic advisor to plan courses and review your objectives. Please note that ultimately you, are responsible for meeting the requirements for graduation, regular meeting with your advisor will aid you in meeting that goal.

Academic Standards
A passing grade must be earned in each required and elective course. You'll need to maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average in order to remain in good academic standing, and to graduate.

Internships (Placement Training)
A professional internship is required. The internship places you in a professional learning environment that challenges your ability to combine book knowledge and "hands-on" mastery, and your interpersonal and professional skills. You'll earn course credit for supervised on-the-job training. Employers are eager to hire MSU graduates, in part because of the field experience you’ll take to that first job. Internships are individualized, and are as diverse as our students. You'll have flexibility in scheduling and employment options for your internship. You must enroll in AT-293, for at least three internship credits, but may enroll for up to six. Usually, each credit translates into one month of full-time employment in the industry. Instead of taking additional internship credits, you may prefer to spend your tuition dollars on electives, and take only three credits of AT 293. Or, by applying more internship credits toward your certificate you'll be able to complete the program faster.

• Landscape and Nursery internships include the jobs in production, selection, use and care of ornamental plants. Graduates are prepared for employment and jobs in nurseries, landscape contracting, and garden centers, along with many other entrepreneurial opportunities.
   
• Commercial Horticulture Operations internships are diverse and can prepare graduates for employment or career advancement in horticultural industry, horticultural supply firms, or in orchard consultation and pest management.
   
• Commercial Turfgrass Operations internships expose students to the opportunities in commercial turf care, resort properties, grounds management, golf and winter sports facilities, and related fields. Graduates are prepared to enter or advance in the “green industry.”

Generally, you'll obtain your own internship employment and negotiate wages and work schedules. We require that both you and your employer complete a written agreement, outlining the terms of the internship employment and expectations. Then, you'll report monthly to your Coordinator / advisor and receive regular feedback from your employer supervisor. You can expect a personal visit from your Coordinator / advisor during the time of your internship employment.

You're encouraged to seek new or expanded work opportunities for your internship. If you own your own business, we can negotiate a series of independent projects, which will help you satisfy this requirement. The best internships are planned long in advance and benefit from the counsel of your academic advisor.

Completing the Program
At the end of the last semester of study, credits, must be transferred from your community college to MSU in order for the Certificate requirements to be met. Similarly, MSU credits, which apply to the Associate degree, must be transferred to your community college. Transcripts cost a few dollars, and are sent directly from one institution to the other. Copies released to you will not be accepted by either school.

Applications:

http://www.hrt.msu.edu/OffCampus/PDF/AgTechApplication101907.pdf

http://www.canr.msu.edu/agtech/applicationupdatecopy.pdf

To receive additional information or to visit with an MSU Applied Plant Science program advisor, please contact:

1-877-MSU-NORTH (1-877-678-6678)
telephone:  231-929-3902 
fax:       231-929-0454
e-mail: normanl@msu.edu