INDUSTRY EDUCATION

Michigan State University ( MSU ) offers a wide range of options for students interested in careers in turfgrass management , including a BS degree concentration within the Crop and Soil Science major , a Sports and Commercial Turf Management certificate program , and a certificate program in Turfgrass Management with a Golf Course emphasis .

“ The Turfgrass Management program at Michigan State University has long prided itself on providing education at multiple levels ,” said John “ Trey ” Rogers III , Ph . D ., professor of Turfgrass Research in the Department of Plant , Soil and Microbial Sciences ( PSM ) at MSU .

MSU ’ s BS program features a Turfgrass Management concentration in the Crop and Soil Science curriculum within PSM . According to MSU , the Crop and Soil Sciences major is based upon the continuously expanding knowledge base of the biological and physical sciences and the utilization of those sciences . Crop and soil scientists utilize the principles of genetics , plant breeding , crop physiology , weed science , turfgrass science , soil physics , soil fertility , soil genesis and classification and soil chemistry .

According to Rogers , the certificate program in Turfgrass Management with a Golf Course emphasis prepares students for careers in the golf industry . The program consists of both on-campus learning and handson experiences through a professional internship .

“ This 54-credit , 18-month program ( i . e ., 2-year program ) within PSM is administered through Institute of Agricultural Technology and focuses on Golf Turf Management ,” said Rogers . “ The program started in 1966 and has more than 2,000 graduates .”

According to Rogers , MSU added the Sports and Commercial Turf Management program in 1990 . “ It is also a 54-credit , 18-month program , with students focusing primarily on athletic field turf ,” he said .

Following graduation , students in the Sports and Commercial Turf Management program earn an MSU IAT certificate .

According to Rogers , students from all of MSU ’ s Turfgrass programs are taught in the same classroom with collegiate academic rigor . “ They follow the same academic calendar , and 2-year students are fully integrated into campus life ,” he said .

A wealth of turfgrass-specific classes are available to MSU students , including Engine and Equipment Technology , Spanish for the Agricultural Industry , Turf and Landscape Analytical Practices , Introduction to Weed Management , Operations Budgeting for Golf Course Managers , Turfgrass Irrigation , Pesticide and Fertilizer Application Technology , Fundamentals of Soil Science , Weed Science Laboratory , Turfgrass Management , Turfgrass Management Seminar , Golf Course Design and Construction Techniques , Performance Turf Design and Construction , Turfgrass Strategies : Integration and Synthesis , Turfgrass Soil Fertility , Turfgrass Physiology , Turfgrass Entomology and Turf Pathology .

In addition , students in the 2-year program can matriculate to the BS program if they complete the 54 credits with a 3.0 or greater and transfer in freshmanlevel Math and English from another institution .

According to Rogers , there are currently 40 students total in the 2-year programs , and 45 students in the BS program , with 95 % of students pursuing careers in golf turf management .

“ All students must complete a five-month internship at a facility of their choosing , and are encouraged to

24 SportsField Management | February 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com