Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Build Your Career with an Online Turfgrass Degree Program
Expand your expertise in turfgrass science and business management and maximize your career potential with a Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science. In addition to covering such topics as pesticides, turfgrass breeding, genetics, and plant nutrition and fertility, the program also encompasses soil science and water quality course work. The online bachelor’s degree in turfgrass science is also designed to sharpen your skills in such areas as business management, communications, and basic and applied sciences.
Why a Turf Degree Online at Penn State?
Legacy — 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 specifically for golf course superintendents, and as the first to offer an undergraduate major in turfgrass science, we built a solid foundation for the turfgrass management programs that we offer today through the World Campus:
- Undergraduate Certificate in Turfgrass Management, Basic
- Undergraduate Certificate in Turfgrass Management, Advanced
- Associate in Science in Turfgrass Science and Management
- Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science
- Master of Professional Studies in Turfgrass Management
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?
If you have an interest in the turf industry, the bachelor's degree in turfgrass science can give you the skills and advantage you need to move ahead. Taken independently or as a follow-up to the advanced certificate or the associate degree, this program provides an integrated curriculum that can help you prepare for any career related to turfgrass management.
Courses
The online Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science is a 120-credit (minimum) program of study that builds upon the advanced turfgrass management certificate. To earn this degree, you must successfully complete:
- 49 prescribed course credits
- 27 supporting course credits
- 13 additional credits
- 18 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the requirements for the major
- 1 elective credit
For help with understanding the credit distribution and requirements for program completion, contact an adviser today.
Core courses in the degree program cover pest management, turfgrass cultural systems, turfgrass edaphology, and case studies in turfgrass management. These required courses are supplemented by additional credits selected from a variety of areas to enhance your skills in related fields, such as business management, speech communications, and organic chemistry.
Core course content and activities are available in electronic format, and access to the web is required in order to complete this program.
Supplemental courses in the program are available in a variety of formats. Details about each course's delivery method are available in LionPATH.
Prescribed Courses (49 Credits)
Additional Courses (16 credits)
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Supporting Courses (select 27 credits)
Select credits from each of the two categories under supporting courses to fulfill the requirements:
- 15 credits in Professional Management and Economics
- 12 credits in Professional Agriculture
Electives (select 4 credits)
Elective courses will be chosen in consultation with your adviser.
Note: Listed prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.
General Education Requirements
Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses. - Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses. - Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.
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.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
New students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1. Please visit the Office of Student Aid website for more information about applying for financial aid and recommended deadlines.
Admissions Help
Thank you for your interest in applying to this program. Contact an admissions counselor to discuss your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.
Admission Requirements
To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate or have completed your GED.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need the following items to complete your application:
High school transcripts or GED transcript — First-year applicants are required to submit Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR). Official high school transcripts will only be required at the time a student accepts an offer of admission to Penn State.
Official college or university transcripts, if you attended another institution, and/or official military transcripts (if applicable) — All college or university transcripts are required regardless of the length of time that has passed, the grades earned, or the accreditation of the institutions attended. Acceptance of transfer credit toward your degree is subject to final approval by the academic department. For detailed information, see the Transfer Students page.
Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Please send your transcripts by mail or electronically through Parchment, eScrip-Safe, or the National Student Clearinghouse directly to Penn State from the college/university where course work was attempted.
Submit official documents by mail to:
Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Pennsylvania State University
201 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Language Proficiency section on the Undergraduate Admissions International Requirements page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Start Your Application
Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
If this is your first time applying to Penn State, you'll need to complete the following steps:
- Review the application instructions before beginning.
- Complete the online application and submit all official documents.
- Pay the application fee.
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form and choosing "MyPennState — Check Application Status." Your decision letter (confirming your acceptance or denial) will be mailed four to six weeks after receipt of all application materials. An admissions counselor will contact you if additional information is required.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree 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
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.
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [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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David Huff
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DegreePh.D., Genetics, University of California, Davis
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DegreeM.S., Genetics, University of California, Davis
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DegreeB.S., Crop and Soils Sciences, Michigan State University
Dr. David Huff is a research scientist who performs basic and applied genetics on a wide range of grass species, including some native to North America. In the area of crop improvement, his program focuses on enhancing turf quality, seed yield, persistence, disease resistance, and tolerance to salinity and extreme temperatures (both heat and cold). He also performs a range of genomic investigations on the reproductive biology of these grasses, including such systems as apomixis, dioecy, and fungal-induced hermaphroditism.
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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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