Application deadline
Credits and costs
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.
World-Renowned Faculty — Dr. A.J. Turgeon, emeritus professor of turfgrass management, is the retired director of World Campus turfgrass programs. He has written more than 300 publications, including the popular textbook Turfgrass Management, now in its ninth edition.
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)
Additional Courses (select 11 credits)
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.
| 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 | $620 per credit | $664 per credit |
| 12 or more | $7,527 per semester | $8,125 per semester |
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
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, contact [email protected].
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.
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.
Broaden Your Career Options
Broaden Your Career Options
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.
A Head Start toward a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Certificate
A Head Start toward a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Certificate
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.
Contact Us
For questions about admissions and applications, please contact World Campus Central:
World Campus Central
Phone: 814-865-1146
[email protected]
Faculty
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Jeff Borger
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DegreeM.S., Agronomy, Penn State
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DegreeB.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.
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Michael Fidanza
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DegreePh.D., Agronomy, University of Maryland
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DegreeM.S., Agronomy, Penn State
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DegreeB.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.
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Brad Jakubowski
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DegreePh.D., Agronomy, Penn State, in progress
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DegreeM.S., Soil Science, Colorado State University
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DegreeB.S., Comprehensive Environmental Geography, University of Nebraska
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DegreeA.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.
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Peter Landschoot
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DegreePh.D., Plant Pathology, University of Rhode Island
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DegreeM.S., Agronomy, Penn State
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DegreeB.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.
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Benjamin McGraw
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DegreePh.D., Entomology, Rutgers University
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DegreeM.S., Entomology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
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DegreeB.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.
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Andrew McNitt
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DegreePh.D., Soil Science, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Agronomy, Penn State
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DegreeB.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.
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Max Schlossberg
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DegreePh.D., Agronomy, University of Georgia
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DegreeM.S., Agronomy, University of Georgia
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DegreeB.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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