INDUSTRY EDUCATION
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY Penn State offers turfgrass certificate and degree options both in person and online .
“ We have two in-person resident programs ,” said Dianne Petrunak , academic adviser , Turfgrass Science , Penn State . “ We have the golf course management certificate program , which is the oldest of all the Penn State programs . It is colloquially known as the two-year program . They come here for four eight-week semesters , and then they have six-month internship between the first year and the second year . We also have our fouryear resident bachelor ’ s degree program .”
Petrunak added that the resident four-year program is primarily students coming to Penn State straight out of high school .
Penn State also offers five different online turfgrass certificates and degrees through its World Campus . The online format provides the flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing a high-quality education .
According to Petrunak , the online programs are primarily aimed at returning adults .
Said Petrunak , “ We have a basic certificate program that is 15 credits ; we have an advanced certificate program that is 30 credits ; we have an associate degree that is 60 credits ; and we have a bachelor ’ s degree – which is pretty much identical to the resident bachelor ’ s degree – that is 120 credits . If you get the bachelor ’ s degree online , the diploma looks the same as the resident program .
“ We also have a 30-credit Master of Professional Studies ( MPS ), which is geared toward people who have a fair amount of experience in the industry and are looking at positions like head of grounds , general manager , etc .,” she added . “ It is generally to combine the business and
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