INDUSTRY EDUCATION
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY North Carolina State University ( NC State ) Turfgrass Science students work and learn daily with internationally known faculty . NC State faculty serve the entire turfgrass industry by evaluating new and existing cultivars , production practices , fertility systems and pest management systems including weed , insect and disease management . Turfgrass production and management programs are constantly being created or updated and improved as a result of these research efforts . The faculty utilize this new information by teaching and training future and present turfgrass managers through courses along with lab exercises , seminars and professional meetings . North Carolina is situated in a climate transition zone , allowing students to train on cool- and warm-season grasses .
The NC State Turfgrass Science program offers both four-year and two-year degrees . Students in the fouryear program earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a program that features intense rigor and breadth . The four-year degree benefits traditional
college students and leads to management , plant breeding and professional supervisory positions . Students in the twoyear program earn an associate degree on a compacted timeline with no general studies classes . The two-year program appeals to older or non-traditional students , and is useful for those changing careers or seeking technical or specialist positions .
“ In the four-year program , you are going to get the how , the what and the why ,” said David Crouse , Ph . D ., associate department head and director of undergraduate programs , Crop and Soil Sciences department , NC State . “ In the two-year program , you are going to get the how and the what .”
Crouse added that the four-year program helps students develop critical thinking skills . “ They need to be able to think , adapt and evolve to issues they haven ’ t run into ,” he said .
Current enrollment in NC State ’ s four-year program is 22 students , but enrollment is trending upward with each cycle .
Graduates of the NC State Turfgrass program find careers in sports field management , golf course management , residential lawn care , parks and
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