Re: How much education is required to be a botanist?

If you limit botany to the "scientific study of plants" as the first reference
does then, at a minimum, you would probably want a B.S. in botany, biology or
other science. That would qualify you for entry-level botany positions in
teaching and research. If you wanted to be a botany professor at a college or
university, you would also need an M.S. and Ph.D. Some people with training in
other disciplines, such as biochemistry, molecular biology, statistics, writing
and chemistry, may end up working in plant research or education.

There are possibly a few exceptions for the need for a college degree, such as
botanical artists. They do not necessarily need college training if they have
exceptional artistic talent. A college botany degree would not hurt them either. 

If you wanted a career in growing plants, such as horticulture, forestry or
agronomy, you could get entry-level positions with just a high school education
or a two-year associate degree.


References


Careers in Botany


Employment and Careers in Forestry


Careers in Horticulture


Careers in Agronomy