At which campus can I study this program?
Requirements for an undergraduate certificate may be completed at any campus location offering the specified courses for the certificate.
Program Description
This 30-credit certificate program is a comprehensive course of study that builds upon the basic turfgrass management certificate program. It's ideal for those who already have a bachelor's degree in another field and for those who are working toward a bachelor's degree in turfgrass.
What is Turfgrass Management?
The Turfgrass Management Certificates includes basic and applied plant sciences with a focus on practical turfgrass management. The advanced certificate includes an internship to prepare students for careers as decision makers in golf course, sports field, and landscape construction and management.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are working in the turfgrass industry and want to improve your technical knowledge of turfgrass.
- You want to advance your career in golf course or sports turf management.
- You want to use your technical expertise to solve problems related to plants and the environment.
- You have a sense of accomplishment seeing your work appreciated by others.
Program Requirements
To earn an undergraduate certificate in Turfgrass Management, Advanced, a minimum of 30 credits is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| TURF 230 | Turfgrass Pesticides | 1 |
| TURF 235 | The Turfgrass | 3 |
| TURF 490 | Colloquium | 1 |
| TURF 495 | Internship | 1-18 |
| Select 21-22 credits from additional courses: | 21-22 | |
| Turfgrass Insect Pest Management | ||
| Turfgrass Disease Management | ||
Introductory Soil Science  | ||
| Turf and Ornamental Weed Control | ||
| Turfgrass Cultural Systems | ||
| Turfgrass Edaphology | ||
| Turfgrass Nutrition | ||
| Case Studies in Turfgrass Management | ||
No Prerequisites Required.
Certificate Learning Objectives
- TURFGRASS: Students will be able to identify, establish and maintain grasses in various climates.
- PLANT SCIENCE: Students will understand the fundamentals of plant and soil sciences required to interpret and make scientific decisions related to managing turfgrass under various conditions.
- PEST MANAGEMENT: Students will learn to identify common turfgrass pests and develop cultural and chemical management plans for each.
- COMPUTATION: Accurately comprehend and draw appropriate inferences from numeric data and quantitative models.
- COMMUNICATION: Students will enhance their written, oral and interpersonal communication skills needed to become a successful turfgrass manager.
- BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: Students will develop personnel and business management skills required to manage a diverse staff and budgetary limitations.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Dianne Petrunak
Academic Adviser
242 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0139
dmp6@psu.edu
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.psu.edu
Career Paths
Graduates manage golf courses and professional stadium playing surfaces. Turfgrass professionals utilize grasses in conservation areas, and suburban and urban landscapes to enhance and beautify the environment. Some alumni pursue careers in agricultural enterprises that support the turfgrass industry.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE
102 Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2571
mcnitt@psu.edu
World Campus
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES
116 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0139
dmp6@psu.edu