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Master of Professional Studies in
Turfgrass Management
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Courses

This 30-credit online master's degree program in turfgrass management is designed for individuals who currently work as managers of turfgrass facilities, including golf courses and professional sports complexes. The MPS-TM program requires the completion of four core courses in which students learn to apply scientific concepts to fundamental problems encountered in the management of complex turfgrass ecosystems. A capstone individual study in turfgrass management course is also required. The capstone course integrates theory and practice in addressing real problems encountered in turfgrass facility management.

In addition to the required courses, students also take an additional 15 credits of elective course work to focus on their particular interest within turfgrass facility management. A total of 18 program credits must be 500-level or higher, with at least 6 credits of 500-level course work. This requirement is met through the required courses, the project, and at least one 500-level elective.

The Master of Professional Studies in Turfgrass Management consists of five required courses (15 credits) and five elective courses (15 credits). Your elective courses will determine your area of concentration for the turfgrass management master's degree.

Become a Turfgrass Management Leader

The MPS-TM program offers students two areas of emphasis from which to choose. This innovative approach allows students whose educational and work experience has emphasized personnel management skills to focus on turfgrass-specific courses. Conversely, if your background is primarily in the turfgrass sciences, you may pursue a course of study devoted to management skills.

The required core course of study offers experience in:

  • turfgrass physiology
  • plant population biology
  • turfgrass health management
  • turfgrass science literature

Collaborative Learning

The online courses are highly interactive and collaborative, allowing you to build strong ties with other students. Maximum flexibility is maintained by the program in an effort to meet both the professional needs of individual students and academic quality standards. 

Required Courses (15 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses. Used by students to work with an adviser on their capstone project.

  • 3
    credits

    Lectures and exercises designed to develop student competency in plant selection to promote ecological diversity and genetically superior plants.

  • 3
    credits

    Lectures, reading assignments, and exercises designed to develop student competency in plant physiology as it relates to turfgrass management strategies.

  • 3
    credits

    Lectures and exercises designed to develop student competency in solving turfgrass pest problems, as well as disease resistance in turfgrasses.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to turfgrass research publications, interpretation of the data, and discussion of the significance of the results.

Elective Courses (31 credits)

Electives cannot be used if taken to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements.

Turfgrass Electives (16 credits)

  • 3
    credits

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

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

  • 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

    • Recommend preparation

      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

Business-Related Electives (select 15 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Theories and strategies important for conceptualizing, developing, and managing conflict negotiation, mediation, and third-party intervention.

    • Prerequisite

      CAS 100

  • 3
    credits

    Legal context of employment in the United States.

  • 3
    credits

    Current human resource topics in the context of organizational strategy, planning, and responsibility.

  • 3
    credits

    This course provides students with an overview of selected managerial behavior and career topics in modern organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    A problem-based, interdisciplinary course in project management skills and techniques needed to manage projects in a modern business environment.

    • Prerequisite

      graduate standing

  • 3
    credits

    A problem-based course that addresses techniques for planning the project development process, including securing resources and resource management.

    • Prerequisite or concurrent

      MANGT 510

  • 3
    credits

    Review of research and application of behavior principles in the areas of management and supervision.

  • 3
    credits

    The study of social influence, leadership and status, and social cohesion and commitment processes in small groups.

    • Prerequisite

      SOC 003 or PSYCH 420

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.

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