Jun 30, 2025  
General Catalog 2025-2026 
    
General Catalog 2025-2026

Viticulture & Enology, M.S.


The Department of Viticulture and Enology  

Master of Science Requirements in Viticulture and Enology

The Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology is a 30-unit program designed to provide advanced studies and in-depth knowledge in the fundamentals of plant physiology, microbiology, and grape and wine chemistry, as well as technical writing and formal presentation of research reports.

Full-time graduate students may earn the degree within two years when working closely with an adviser. To accommodate part-time students, graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon or evenings.

Admission Requirements. The Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology assumes preparation equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and/or Enology, Agricultural Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Plant Science, or a related area from an accredited institution. The following courses or equivalents are expected to be completed prior to enrollment in courses to be applied to the master’s program: MATH 11  ; BIOL 11 , BIOL 161 ; CHEM 3A , CHEM 8 ; ENOL 110 , ENOL 115 , ENOL 168  or CHEM 150 ; VIT 101 , VIT 102 .

Admission Materials. To be considered for admission to the graduate program, the candidate must submit the following materials: evidence of a baccalaureate degree in agricultural chemistry, enology, food science, nutrition, plant science, viticulture, or a related area from an accredited institution; official transcripts of all college work; official scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE); a university application; three letters of reference from employers or faculty at the university most recently attended; and a statement of 500 words or less indicating reasons for pursuing a master’s degree.

Admission Application Filing Periods
Check the Graduate Studies section or call the Graduate Admissions Office at 559.278.4973.

Enrollment Submission Deadlines
Check https://jcast.fresnostate.edu/ve/students/graduate-students.html

Incomplete submissions will be returned to students for resubmission the following semester. The department website is https://jcast.fresnostate.edu/ve/index.html.

Admission Criteria: Candidates for admissions will be evaluated using criteria including undergraduate coursework, grade point average of 2.75 or better (last 60 semester units), GRE scores (152V/147Q/3W), 500-word or less statement of reseacrh interest and professional goals, and letters of reference. Students lacking in any area with compensating strengths in other areas are encouraged to apply. Admission by the university does not imply acceptance in the Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology program. Applicants whose preparatory education was in a language other than English must earn a minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based exam).

Classified standing will be granted to students who meet all of the admission criteria.

Conditional classified standing may be granted to applicants with a 2.5 to 2.75 GPA (last 60 semester units) and/or those required to complete prerequisite coursework. Prerequisite coursework is not included in the 30-unit master’s program. Students must request classified standing in the program by the semester in which a maximum of 10 units to be used toward the degree are completed.

Program Requirements for M.S. in Viticulture and Enology


All students must complete a 14-unit common core. Students must also complete 10 units of approved electives and a 6-unit thesis (culminating experience) in consultation with a thesis adviser.

Approved Electives (10 units)


Other approved electives appropriate to individually designed program in consultation with a thesis advisor. Courses taken as prerequisites cannot be counted towards electives.

Culminating Experience (6 units)


Total Minimum Requirements: 30 Units


 

Graduate Advising Notes


  1. Several of the approved elective courses have prerequisites other than courses listed as admission requirements. Elective courses are selected in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser.
  2. To obtain the required school application form and more specific information concerning the Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology, interested students should call or write the department office. Upon acceptance into the Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology program, students should obtain the Graduate Student Handbook from the department office.
  3. To progress through the graduate program, students must (a.) maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA, (b.) complete all prerequisite coursework, (c.) attain classified standing, (d.) meet university graduate writing requirement, (e.) successfully present and defend the thesis proposal, (f.) file for advancement to candidacy, (g.) complete the program requirements, (h.) file a master’s thesis committee assignment form, (i.) and satisfactorily present and defend the thesis research results.
  4. The Graduate Writing Requirement may be met by passing the writing component of AGRI 220 . Please see the program coordinator for more information.
  5. Advancement to candidacy requires the completion of 9 program units in residence, meeting the university graduate writing requirement, and filing a Petition for Advancement to Candidacy a minimum of one semester prior to enrollment in thesis and within the deadline.
  6. All students must successfully present and defend their thesis research proposal. The defense must be completed by the end of their second semester in the M.S. program. Information on writing and defending the thesis can be obtained from the graduate coordinators.

See Division of Graduate Studies in this catalog for university requirements.