Turfgrass Management Certificate Program
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-10-01 | - |
| 2026-01-01 | - |
| 2026-02-01 | - |
| 2027-10-01 | - |
| 2027-01-01 | - |
| 2027-02-01 | - |
Program Overview
Turfgrass Management Certificate Program
The Turfgrass Management Certificate Program offers a comprehensive introduction to the field, covering topics such as turfgrass management, golf course management, and integrated pest management. This online program is designed for individuals working in lawn care, landscape architecture, or related fields, and provides the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in these professions.
Program Overview
The program consists of a series of courses that provide specialized training in three areas: turfgrass management, golf course management, and integrated pest management. Students will learn about various aspects of turfgrass management, including:
- Types of fertilizer to use on a lawn and when and how to apply them
- Irrigation best practices for turfgrass
- Agronomic and managerial aspects of golf course maintenance
- Putting green construction and turf selection
- How to read a pesticide label
- Key laws and safety materials associated with being a pesticide applicator
Course Details
The program includes the following component courses, which may be taken together or individually:
- Introduction to Turfgrass Management
- Introduction to Golf Course Management
- Pesticide Applicator Education and Safety
- Irrigation and Drainage
- Cool-Season Turfgrass Diseases and Suppression Using Fungicides
- Turfgrass Mathematics
- Turfgrass Insects and Weed Management
Course Hours and GCSAA Class A Credits
The program offers the following course hours and GCSAA Class A credits:
| Course Title | Course Hours | GCSAA Class A Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Turfgrass Management | 30 | 3 |
| Introduction to Golf Course Management | 36 | 3.6 |
| Pesticide Applicator Education and Safety | 18 | 1.8 |
| Irrigation and Drainage | 21 | 2.1 |
| Cool-Season Turfgrass Diseases and Suppression Using Fungicides | 30 | 3 |
| Turfgrass Mathematics | 36 | 3.6 |
| Turfgrass Insects and Weed Management | 36 | 3.6 |
Program Completion
The program can be completed in as little as six months by enrolling in multiple courses concurrently. All courses begin in October, January, and February annually.
Program Cost
The full program costs $2,765, while individual courses cost $325 each, plus a non-refundable registration fee of $70 per course.
Instructors
The program is designed and led by Oregon State University experts in turfgrass management, including:
- Dr. Alec Kowalewski, Associate Professor at Oregon State University
- Charles Schmid, Ph.D., Faculty Research Associate at Oregon State University
- Emily Braithwaite, Faculty Research Assistant at Oregon State University
Research Areas
The program covers various research areas, including cool-season and warm-season turfgrass species, cultural management practices for golf course turf, and turfgrass disease management.