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Education Program > Masters Program
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Cornell University >
Cornell Plantations >
Education Program > Masters Program
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General What is Public Garden Leadership? Public gardens include botanic gardens, arboreta, historic landscapes, conservatories, and display gardens. This program provides students with the training and skills necessary to become leaders in managing such institutions. The Cornell Plantations Graduate Fellowship in public garden leadership is a specialization within the field of Horticulture. What is a Masters of Professional Studies degree and how is it different than a Masters of Science degree?Worldwide, the growing complexity and diversity of systems and issues in the agricultural, life, social, and environmental sciences offer challenging opportunities for persons with appropriate skills, experience, and educational backgrounds. The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) program is designed especially for persons who want to prepare for these opportunities but are not interested in research careers. Persons already embarked on professional careers, those who plan to continue in their current fields or related ones, or those who will be working primarily as educators often select this program. The M.P.S. program emphasizes breadth of training via course work rather than research experience. M.P.S. degree candidates take the same courses as other graduate students and then complete a problem-solving or applied project. Taken from Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) MPS information page. Visit this site for further explanation of the College’s requirements. What's a Fellowship?In terms of Cornell Plantations Graduate Fellowship, a fellowship is a financial grant made to successful candidates accepted into the program which covers the cost of tuition, fees, and provides a stipend for graduate study.
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Selection Process What are the criteria you use to select new students? In accordance with the vision of the program, Cornell Plantations Graduate Fellows are selected based on their dedication and potential contribution to the public garden field, quality of work and life experiences (particularly as they relate to the field of public garden management), leadership qualities and past academic achievements.
No, however a strong background in horticulture or public garden management (such as landscape architecture, botany, agricultural economics, natural resources) is highly desirable. Am I required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?Yes, students are required to take the GRE and submit their scores with their application. This is a Cornell requirement. When are applications due?Your application need to be completed online on or before the 5th of January for Fall admission. When will I know if I’ve been accepted?After the application deadline it usually takes up to two months for the selection committee to review applications and extend offers. Letters of notification (of acceptance or non-acceptance) will be sent out shortly after the review process. Do you interview potential candidates?We interview (by phone or in person) potential candidates on a case by case basis. |
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Program Requirements How does this graduate program fit within Cornell’s horticulture department? The Cornell Plantations Graduate Fellowship is a joint program offered through Cornell Plantations and the Department of Horticulture. Fellows are considered graduate students in the Department of Horticulture. Cornell Plantations provides the funding for the fellowships. How long is the program?The Graduate Fellowship in public garden leadership is a two-year, four-semester program. Admitted fellows enter in the fall semester (semesters typically begin in mid-August) and graduate in May, two years after admission. Can I complete the program as a part-time, non-residential student?No, university guidelines state that master's degree candidates must complete two full-time semesters at Cornell to earn their degree. The timeframe provided was designed to allow individuals to take leaves of absence or short breaks from work to pursue this professional degree. Finally we feel that active participation in the program - interaction between the students and the program leaders and other students in the program - is vital. Is there a predetermined, prescribed set of courses each student must take?No, with the exception of a few required classes fellows are encouraged to develop personalized courses of study based upon their individual interests and career goals. What is the action project?All fellows are required to complete an action project (a problem-solving or applied project) that focuses on some aspect of public garden management. Fellows may explore aspects such as, but not limited to, collection management, educational programming, landscape management, and administration. The action project is designed to help students gain an in-depth understanding of an aspect of public garden management that is of interest to them and applicable to the broader public garden community. A written summary of the project is required. What have former fellows done for their action projects?Former fellows have conducted surveys, case studies, and interviews to gather information related to invasive plant management, education evaluation, food education, pathways linking gardens to their communities, interpretive exhibit planning, and references on plant nomenclature. To see former and current fellows’ research projects along with abstracts of their study, go here. Can I volunteer at Cornell Plantations?Yes, fellows are encouraged to volunteer in some capacity at Cornell Plantations. There are many opportunities to work with experienced staff and to gain further experience in a public garden. |
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Summer Internship Does the internship have to be conducted at a public garden? The purpose of the required summer internship is to provide the student with practical public garden management experience. Ideally, the internship is to be conducted at a public garden, although this can be reviewed on a case by case basis. Can I complete the required summer internship at Cornell Plantations?Yes, fellows can complete the required summer internship at Cornell Plantations; however we strongly encourage students to consider other gardens in order to diversify their experience. Where have former students done their internships?
Financial support for the summer months is available to the student should the internship be unpaid or pay less than the rate provided during the academic year. |
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Funding Are fellows considered employees of Cornell Plantations? Yes, students’ fellowships are supported by Cornell Plantations. What type of funding do I receive as a fellow?Support is provided for periods within the academic year only. Fellows are appointed Graduate Research Assistants and paid at the current rate as determined by the University; in 2005 the stipend was around $17,000 per academic year. Does the fellowship cover tuition and fees?Yes, the fellowship provides a tuition waiver and payment of administrative fees. Does the fellowship cover the cost of health insurance?Yes, the fellowship also includes University-funded health insurance coverage through the Cornell Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Does the Fellowship cover the cost of professional seminars or conferences?Yes, the fellowship provides a professional development award for the period of enrollment in the program. This award may be used to support fellows’ participation in professional conferences and for approved expenses related to fellows’ action project. Does the Fellowship cover the cost of student housing on campus?No, fellows must cover this cost. Does the Fellowship cover the cost of text books and class materials?No, fellows must cover this cost. Does the Fellowship provide a computer?No, however the Department of Horticulture has a computer lab available to graduate students along with storage options on the department’s server. Do Fellows have office space and if so where?The Department of Horticulture has several rooms within the Plant Science building set aside for graduate students to share. |
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Opportunities After Graduation What are the prospects for jobs in the public garden field after I graduate? The field of public garden management is a fast growing field, with 130 new public gardens created in America in the last 13 years, with still more gardens being planned and created. Each garden offers a range of employment opportunities, from gardeners and curators, to educators and administrators. What are former fellows doing now?
"As the Curator of Collections at Tyler Arboretum, I find that I must be a "jack-of-all-trades." Horticulture is only a small part of the many things I do in my position. The program prepared me for this role by giving me the flexibility to take a variety of courses, and the fundamental knowledge and skills to participate in all aspects involved in the operation of a public garden." "The MPS program provided me with both an excellent academic education and dynamic practical experience. The outstanding quality and diversity present at Cornell University and Cornell Plantations, coupled with internship experience at any institution, provides graduates of this program the knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in the field of public horticulture. As a testament to the quality training provided by this program, I was offered jobs at highly respected institutions as soon as I graduated." "Coming from outside the US, the opportunity to spend 18 months in a foreign country was a significant attraction. By attending such a prestigious school as Cornell, I was exposed to a quality of facilities, teaching, and students that I may never have the good fortune of experiencing again." "The MPS Program was an incredible opportunity and invaluable learning experience. Passionate about public gardens, but with no formal training in horticulture or education, I felt I had hit a wall professionally. By accepting me into the MPS program and providing the funds to make it possible to attend, Cornell and Cornell Plantations gave me entry to a vibrant academic community devoted to horticulture, education, and public gardens, and helped me to obtain my current position." "The MPS program is giving me the educational background to fulfill my career goals. Before the program, I would look at job descriptions and think, "Wow! That looks great, but I don't meet the requirements." Now, the same jobs are within my capabilities. My education is bridging the gap between what I aspire to do professionally and what I am able to do." |
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Living in Ithaca What is the Ithaca and local community like? Ithaca is a small city (about 50,000 residents, including students) with one major university (Cornell) and one college (Ithaca College). Most students enjoy the surrounding forested and farm landscape and associated recreational opportunities. They also take advantage of the numerous cultural events and enjoy the diverse community. For more information on Ithaca, click here. What is the housing situation like in Ithaca?Information about housing can be found through Cornell’s off-campus housing guide. What is there to do at Cornell (besides go to classes)?Cornell has much to offer graduate students. There are always seminars, art exhibits, movies, theatre performances, activities for children and more. Information about these and other events can be found here. |
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Further Information Who do I contact for more information? Cornell Plantations Graduate Fellowship: Sonja M. Skelly, Director of Education Graduate Field of Horticulture: 134 Plant Science, Cornell University Ithaca, Ny 14853 The Graduate School: B30 Caldwell Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 |
| Last modified: 08/08/2007 12:22:32 PM |
