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.

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

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.

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.

Course List — Master of Professional Studies in Turfgrass Management

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.

Required Courses (15 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Individual Studies in Agronomy	AGRO 596	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
Applied Plant Population Biology	AGRO 851	Lectures and exercises designed to develop student competency in plant selection to promote ecological diversity and genetically superior plants.	3 credits
Turfgrass Physiology	TURF 850	Lectures, reading assignments, and exercises designed to develop student competency in plant physiology as it relates to turfgrass management strategies.	3 credits
Turfgrass Health Management	TURF 852	Lectures and exercises designed to develop student competency in solving turfgrass pest problems, as well as disease resistance in turfgrasses.	3 credits
Interpreting Turfgrass Science Literature	TURF/PPATH 853	Introduction to turfgrass research publications, interpretation of the data, and discussion of the significance of the results.	3 credits

Turfgrass Science Electives (15 credits)*
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Turfgrass Disease Management	PPEM 412	Introduction to biology of turfgrass pathogens and management of cool- and warm-season turfgrass disease. Prerequisites: TURF 230, TURF 235, CHEM 101 or CHEM 110, BIOL 127	3 credits
Turfgrass Cultural Systems	TURF 425	A study of turfgrass maintenance practices and how their interrelationships can be utilized to develop management systems. Prerequisites: SOILS 101, TURF 235 (or equivalent); recommended: TURF 238, TURF 297, ENT 317, PPATH 412	3 credits
Turfgrass Edaphology	TURF 434	Characterization of soil's physical and chemical properties for the establishment and maintenance of sports turf; includes root-zone construction. Prerequisites: SOILS 101, TURF 235 (or equivalent)	3 credits
Turfgrass Nutrition	TURF 435	Study of turfgrass nutrition and growth, emphasizing constructed and mineral soil fertility, nutrient uptake and function, and fertilizer use efficiency. Prerequisites: SOILS 101, TURF 235	4 credits
Case Studies in Turfgrass Management	TURF 436W	Case study and discussion considering integrated management of selected turfgrass sites; emphasis on problem analysis, principle application, and decision-making. Prerequisites: TURF 235 (or equivalent); recommended: TURF 425	3 credits

*Cannot be used if taken to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements.

Other (business-related) Electives (choose 15 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation	CAS 404	Theories and strategies important for conceptualizing, developing, and managing conflict negotiation, mediation, and third-party intervention. Prerequisite: CAS 100	3 credits
Labor and Employment Law	HRER 501	Legal context of employment in the United States.	3 credits
Seminar in Human Resources	HRER 505	Current human resource topics in the context of organizational strategy, planning, and responsibility.	3 credits
Organizations in the Workplace	HRER 802	This course provides students with an overview of selected managerial behavior and career topics in modern organizations.	3 credits
Project Management	MANGT 510	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
Planning and Resource Management	MANGT 520	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
Leadership in Work Settings	PSYCH 485	Review of research and application of behavior principles in the areas of management and supervision.	3 credits
Social Influence and Small Groups	SOC 404	The study of social influence, leadership and status, and social cohesion and commitment processes in small groups. Prerequisite: SOC 003 or PSYCH 420	3 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.

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