Program Overview

Major in Turfgrass Management

The Turfgrass Management major is geared toward students interested in pursuing careers as golf course managers, athletic field managers, or personnel managers in those venues. Students will take courses in turf management, turf production, plant pathology, entomology, soil fertility, and plant breeding to learn how to maintain healthy turfgrass systems. Additionally, students gain hands-on experience at the Palouse Ridge Golf Course, a new PGA certified 18-hole championship golfing facility at the Pullman campus.

Employment and Career Possibilities Within This Major

• Golf Course Superintendent
• Sports Facility Manager
• Lawn Care Operator/Manager
• Sod Production Manager
• Grounds Maintenance
• Technical Sales Manager
• Director of Irrigation Company
• Consulting Turfgrass Agronomist

Example of Required/Preferred Classes For First-Year Students

• Chem 102: Chem Related to Life Sciences
• Biology 107: Intro to Cell Bio or Biology 120: Intro to Botany
• Crop_Sci/Hort 102: Cultivated Plants
• Soil_Sci 201: Soil: A Living System
• H_D 205: Dev. Effective Com or Com 102: Com in info. Soc.

Transfer Pathways

Many of our best students attend local community colleges prior to transferring to WSU. Below is a list of suggested WSU courses to take locally and transfer into WSU.

• BIOLOGY 107: Intro to Cell Biology and Genetics
• BIOLOGY 106: Intro to Organismal Biology or 120: Introductory Botany
• CHEM 101: Introduction to Chemistry or 105: Principles of Chem I
• CHEM 102: Chemistry Related to Life Sciences or 106: Principles of Chem II
• ECONS 101: Fundamentals of Microeconomics
• ENGLISH 101: Introductory Writing
• COM 102: Chemistry Related to Life Sciences
• WSU UCORE [DIVR] course
• WSU UCORE [ARTS] course
• WSU UCORE [HUM] course
• STAT 212: Introduction to Statistical Methods

Student Organizations/Clubs Associated with this Major

• Horticulture Club
• Viticulture and Enology Club
• Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

Information for New students

This is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Integrated Plant Sciences with a major in Turfgrass Management. An internship is required in this major. Students will work with their advisor to locate an appropriate internship. It is managed by the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences.

More Information

• Crop and Soil Sciences Department
• Horticulture Department
• Plant Pathology Department
• Entomology Department
• Explore Career Choices

Program Details

The Turfgrass Management major is part of the Integrated Plant Sciences program at Washington State University. The program focuses on providing students with a comprehensive education in turfgrass management, including courses in turf management, turf production, plant pathology, entomology, soil fertility, and plant breeding. Students also gain hands-on experience through internships and research projects. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in golf course management, athletic field management, and other related fields.