Specializations and Certificates

DPM graduates may pursue careers as diagnosticians, crop consultants, plant inspectors, survey specialists, regulatory scientists, extension specialists, private industry consultants, small business owners, applied research specialists, managers, or other plant health professionals.The diversity and intensive training of the DPM program provides many opportunities for program graduates. Each student plans his/her program of study with a supervisory committee. Each supervisory committee consists of one member of the graduate faculty in the following competency areas: Plant, Soil, Weed Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Nematology.

Several DPM graduates have pursued careers in federal or state regulatory plant health. The Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management certificate is available to DPM students interested in regulatory careers. To begin the application process please fill out the Certificate Application.

Overall, the Diversity of the DPM graduate specializations is evident in the various employment opportunities achieved. Click here if you want to know more about the current employment of DPM alumni.

If you need more information on how to apply to the UF Graduate School just click here.

Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management

Exciting career opportunities in plant regulation occur at the federal (U.S.), state government, and international level. The University of Florida Graduate Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management will further your knowledge of regulatory plant health programs, policies and opportunities. Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management must be a currently enrolled University of Florida graduate student or meet eligibility requirements for non-degree seeking students in Graduate Certificate programs. Coordination of the Graduate Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management occurs through the University of Florida, DPM program. Course requirements may be completed through online distance education.

Core Courses/Internships (10 Credits)

  • Principles of Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management, ALS 6942, 3 credits
  • Colloquium on Plant Pests of Regulatory Significance, ALS 6921, 1 credit
  • Internship in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management, ALS 6943, 6 credits

Course schedules for ALS 6942, ALS 6921, ALS 6943, and ALS 6166 are available through the University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department.

Elective Courses (at least 6 credits)
Students must select at least one course from each group

Group 1 – Technical (3 credits)

  • Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues, ALS 6166, 3 credits
  • GIS and Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources, AOM 5431, 3 credits

Group 2 – Policy (3 credits)

  • Special Topics, AEB 6933, 1-6 credits
  • Ag and Natural Resources Communications Theory and Strategy, AEC 6540, 3 credits
  • Policy Evaluation, PUP 6006, 3 credits
  • Policy Process, PUP 6007, 3 credits
  • Public Opinion and Agricultural and Natural Resource Issues, AEC 5060, 3 credits
  • Public Policy Analysis, PUP 6009, 3 credits
  • Public Policy and Agribusiness Firm, AEB 6225, 3 credits

AEB courses are offered through the Food and Resource Economics Department. To review the AEB course schedule, visit: https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/featured-3-menus/teaching/graduate-course-syllabi/

PUP courses are taught by the Department of Political Science. Contract individual faculty or visit the UF graduate catalog for further course offering information: http://polisci.ufl.edu/

AEC courses are offered through the Agricultural Education and Communication Department. To review course offering schedules, visit- https://aec.ifas.ufl.edu/graduate/courses–syllabi/#d.en.298076