You are here: gradento

Graduate Studies


Oklahoma State University, a state-supported land-grant university founded in 1890, emphasizes a liberal and practical education. The university's strong commitment to research is reflected in the new Noble Research Center for Agricultural Sciences and Natural Renewable Resources.

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is housed in that facility with state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories giving the department added resources for teaching and research. The department's faculty includes scientists who have received national and international recognition.

The University has an enrollment of approximately 19,000 students, including over 4,200 graduate students. There are currently over 30 graduate students enrolled in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, with students coming from all areas of the United States and other countries.


Programs of Study

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology offers graduate education leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Areas of study include but are not limited:
  • acarology
  • anatomy and ultrastructure of plant parasitic fungi
  • apiculture
  • arthropod behavior
  • biological control
  • diseases of peanuts and commercial vegetables
  • host-pathogen interactions
  • host-plant resistance
  • immunology
  • insect biochemistry, ecology, physiology, molecular genetics, population dynamics
  • medical and veterinary entomology
  • pest management
  • physiology, ecology and epidemiology of root-infecting fungi
  • soilborne plant pathogens
  • spiroplasmas and phytoplasmas
  • viral-cell interactions
  • wheat resistant to disease

The department also provides interdisciplinary training through its cooperative research programs with a variety of departments, including:

  • Agronomy
  • Animal Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
  • Zoology

Graduate programs are flexible, allowing students to design their programs of study to enhance and develop their interests and capabilities.


Research Facilities

Oklahoma State is a national leader in several areas of technology. The University pioneered the use of satelites for distance learning and videoconferencing. The facilities of the new Noble Research Center represent the finest available. Graduate students have access to student offices, networked computers, laboratories for teaching and research and controlled environment chambers. Facilities are available for biochemical and physiological studies (HPLC, UV-spec, radioisotope). Scanning and transmission electron microscopes are available for student use at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Medical/veterinary research is also conducted in the Medical Entomology and EFAW field laboratories. Facilities for research on vegetable pests are available at the Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center in southeastern Oklahoma. A large laboratory and greenhouse research facility, housing the USDA plant sciences program, is also available for cooperative research.

The University's Edmon Low Library contains over 1.4 million volumes and 2 million microfilm units, with automated card catalog and direct access via campus networks. Computer-assisted literature search and interlibrary loan facilities support the Department's academic, research and extension programs.


Financial Aid

Qualified graduate students receive research assistantships associated with a major professor. Teaching assistantships are also available. Tuition is waived for students holding assistantships and out-of-state tuition is waived for spouses of students on assistantships. There are many job opportunities, both on and off campus, for students' spouses.

Application Procedures

Application forms for graduate study may be obtained from the Department. An applicant is expected to have at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Graduate Record Examination is strongly recommended and will be used as a tool to make decisions regarding acceptance under faculty. Minimum GRE scores of 1000 (verbal/quantitative reasoning) and 3 (analytical writing) are necessary to be considered for a graduate assistantship. Each applicant should submit a letter indicating professional interests and three letters of reference. A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 (first application) or $25 (additional applications or transition from Special (non-degree seeking) status) is required by the OSU Graduate Admissions Office. The application fee can be paid either by check or money order payable to "Oklahoma State University." Applications cannot be processed until this fee is received. If you choose to submit your application using the web-based application, the fee is $40 (first application) or $25 (additional applications). A student is accepted after a review of credentials by the The application website is at Graduate Program Committee and the Graduate College.

For more information on Graduate Studies at Oklahoma State University including application requirements visit:


You may e-mail or write to us at the following locations for more information.

Dr. Nathan Walker
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater OK 74078 USA
Telephone: 405-744-6830
FAX: 405-744-6039