Golf ball on tee

Undergraduate Certificate in
Turfgrass Management, Basic

Program summary

Gain foundational knowledge of turfgrass maintenance practices, soil science, and pest management methods. Whether you work in golf course maintenance, professional lawn care, grounds maintenance, athletic field maintenance, or research support, this program can help you excel in your career.

Application deadline

Apply by January 1 to start January 8

Credits and costs

15 Credits $626/$671 per credit

Enrich Your Turf Expertise with the Online Basic Certificate in Turfgrass Management

Learn about turfgrass cultural systems and turfgrass edaphology, as well as methods for managing pests, so that you can pursue a career in turfgrass care, maintenance, production, or turf-related sales and service.

Why an Online Certificate through Penn State?

Build a Solid Foundation — As a graduate of the basic certificate program, you can apply the credits you’ve earned to the Advanced Certificate in Turfgrass Management, the Associate in Science in Turfgrass Science and Management, or the Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science programs. 

Penn State Expertise — Penn State became a leader in turfgrass education in 1929, when we launched one of the first turfgrass programs in the United States. As the first university to offer a two-year technical program and the first to offer a turfgrass science as an undergraduate major, we built a solid foundation for the online turfgrass courses that we offer today.

Who Should Apply?

Whether you work in golf course maintenance, professional lawn care, grounds maintenance, sod production, sales and service, athletic field maintenance, or research support, this program can give you the tools needed to expand your career opportunities.

Courses

The online basic certificate in turfgrass management is a 15-credit minimum program of study. Early courses in the program introduce the field and cover turfgrass pest management, turfgrass cultural systems, and turfgrass edaphology.

The delivery method for the core courses in this program is "online group," with a group of students progressing together through each course. The courses are offered in a time frame comparable to a traditional semester schedule, with fixed start and end dates. The course content and activities are available in electronic format, and access to the web is required in order to complete this program.

In order to earn the certificate, you must complete at least 15 credits from the following course options. Students must earn at least a "C" grade in each course taken to be eligible for the certificate.

Note about prerequisites: For this program, listed course prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.

Prescribed Courses (4 credits)

  • 1
    credit

    Covers chemical toxicity, formulations, environmental fate, labels, MSDS, calibration, IPM, safety, handling, storage, and Pennsylvania certification and regulations.

    • Note

      Students who have a valid (and verifiable) state pesticide license can request to be exempted from taking TURF 230.

  • 3
    credits

    Characterization of the primary plant species used for sports, lawn and utility turf; includes turfgrass morphology, environmental adaptation, and cultural requirements.

Additional Courses (select 11 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to entomology and management of insect pests of cold- and warm-season turfgrass.

    • Prerequisite Concurrent

      TURF 235

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to biology of turfgrass pathogens and management of cool- and warm-season turfgrass.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 230

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the development of integrated weed management strategies utilizing a variety of cultural and chemical methods.

  • 3
    credits

    A study of irrigation topics with a strong concentration on turfgrass irrigation applications and a focus on surface and subsurface drainage.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommend preparation

      MATH 21 and SOILS 101

    • Note

      PLANT 217 may not be substituted for TURF 307 for prescribed course credit.

  • 3
    credits

    A study of turfgrass maintenance practices and how their interrelationships can be utilized to develop management systems.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommended preparation

      SOILS 101

  • 3
    credits

    Characterization of soil's physical and chemical properties for the establishment and maintenance of sports turf; includes root zone construction.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235 or equivalent, SOILS 101

  • 4
    credits

    Study of turfgrass nutrition and growth; emphasizing constructed and mineral soil fertility, nutrient uptake and function, and fertilizer-use efficiency.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommended preparation

      SOILS 101

  • 3
    credits

    Case study and discussion considering integrated management of selected turfgrass sites; emphasis on problem analysis, principle application, and decision-making.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235 and (TURF 434 or TURF 435)

    • Recommended preparation

      TURF 238 and TURF 425

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Costs and Financial Aid

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.

Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester? If you have 59 or fewer credits If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer $626 per credit $671 per credit
12–19 $7,602 per semester $8,206 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester? If you have 59 or fewer credits If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer $632 per credit $678 per credit
12–19 $7,678 per semester $8,288 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

How to Apply

Deadlines and Important Dates

  • Spring DeadlineApply by January 1 to start January 8
  • Summer DeadlineApply by May 5 to start May 13
  • Fall DeadlineApply by August 18, 2024, to start August 26, 2024

All supporting materials should be sent following the submission of your application.

For current and future course registration deadlines, visit the Registrar's website to view the academic calendar by semester.

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, email
[email protected]
or call 814-865-1146.

Admission Requirements

To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate or have completed your GED.

Technical Requirements 

Review the technical requirements for this program.

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State undergraduate certificate?

Apply by January 1 to start January 8. How to Apply

Broaden Your Career Options

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This certificate program was created for golf course and sports field personnel who want to take their careers to the next level. You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.


Career Opportunities for Graduates

The certificate program was created for golf course and sports field personnel who want to take their career to the next level. With the basic certificate, you can earn credits toward a degree while securing a position or working toward advancement in a variety of areas, including:

  • groundskeeping
  • employee management
  • equipment care and operation
  • pesticide application

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

Student having a virtual meeting on a laptop with a career counselor

From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

A Head Start toward a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Certificate

A figure standing halfway up a set of stairs leading towards a graduation cap

Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or advanced certificate.

Programs Related to This Certificate

As a graduate of the basic certificate program, you can apply the credits you’ve earned to the following Penn State World Campus degree programs:

Build upon your existing skills and explore more advanced turfgrass topics, such as pest management, turfgrass cultural systems, turfgrass edaphology, and case studies in turfgrass management with this certificate.

Learn more about the Undergraduate Certificate in Turfgrass Management, Advanced  

Sharpen your skills in business management and communications as you build a strong foundation in contemporary turfgrass management. This program's integrated curriculum can help you take your turf career to the next level.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science  

Learn to plan and implement projects, communicate effectively, conduct training programs, and manage finances in this online degree program designed for those interested in or already working in the turf industry.

Learn more about the Associate in Science in Turfgrass Science and Management  

Contact Us

For questions about admissions and applications, please contact World Campus Central:

World Campus Central
Phone: 814-865-1146
[email protected]

Faculty

  • Jeff Borger

    • Degree
      M.S., Agronomy, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Turfgrass Science, Penn State

    Jeff Borger, assistant teaching professor of turfgrass weed management, has been with Penn State for more than 25 years. He oversees a turfgrass field research program that encompasses the evaluations of grassy and broadleaf weed control and plant growth regulators. He teaches numerous courses in both the resident and Penn State World Campus four-year and two-year turfgrass programs.

  • Michael Fidanza

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Agronomy, University of Maryland
    • Degree
      M.S., Agronomy, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Agricultural Science, Penn State

    Dr. Michael Fidanza is a professor of plant and soil sciences at Penn State Berks. His research and teaching focuses are turfgrass ecology, the translational evaluation and exploration of plant health products (fungicides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators), soil surfactants, seed technology, bio stimulants, turfgrass physiology, cultural practices in turfgrass ecosystems, and the biology and ecology of fairy ring disease in turf. He is the director of Penn State's Center for the Agricultural Sciences and a Sustainable Environment, and he is a Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy.

  • Brad Jakubowski

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Agronomy, Penn State, in progress
    • Degree
      M.S., Soil Science, Colorado State University
    • Degree
      B.S., Comprehensive Environmental Geography, University of Nebraska
    • Degree
      A.A.S., Printing Technology and Industry, Central Community College

    Brad Jakubowski is an instructor of golf course irrigation and drainage, landscape irrigation and water management, and turfgrass management. He is experienced in water management, irrigation management, turfgrass management, and soil. As a Ph.D. candidate, he is studying impact attenuation on natural and synthetic athletic turfgrass fields.

  • Peter Landschoot

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Plant Pathology, University of Rhode Island
    • Degree
      M.S., Agronomy, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Agronomy, Penn State

    Dr. Peter Landschoot's primary job responsibility involves turfgrass extension and outreach in Pennsylvania. His research interests include disease and weed management, soil improvement, turfgrass variety evaluation, and soil fertility. Dr. Landschoot teaches Case Studies in Turfgrass Management in the resident and World Campus programs at Penn State.

  • Benjamin McGraw

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Entomology, Rutgers University
    • Degree
      M.S., Entomology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
    • Degree
      B.S., Animal Science, University of Maine

    Dr. Benjamin McGraw's main teaching foci at Penn State are general turfgrass management (TURF 235, 496a) and entomology courses (ENT 317, 952a). His research program focuses on understanding the biology and ecology of turfgrass insect populations to improve current management practices and develop novel, more sustainable management and monitoring programs. 

  • Andrew McNitt

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Soil Science, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Agronomy, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Horticulture, Penn State

    Dr. Andrew McNitt is the director of Penn State's Center for Sports Surface Research, where he conducts research relating to athletic field surface characterization and golf green construction and maintenance. As the technical adviser to the NFL Groundskeepers Organization, he oversees the NFL field certification and serves on several committees at the League level.

  • Max Schlossberg

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Agronomy, University of Georgia
    • Degree
      M.S., Agronomy, University of Georgia
    • Degree
      B.S., Agronomy, Texas A&M University

    Dr. Max Schlossberg's comprehensive instructional approach supports effective management of turfgrass in every hemisphere. His primary research focuses on developing fertilizer programs to optimize resilience, playability, and nutrient use efficiency of turfgrass systems. His laboratory team has identified cultural methods for rapid soil pH optimization of turfgrass root zones, enhanced efficiency mechanisms of N fertilizers, factors controlling soil water repellency development, and topographic dependence of soils fertility.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State undergraduate certificate?

Apply by January 1 to start January 8. How to Apply