Professional Golf Turf Management Two-Year Certificate Program

Successful turf managers are professionals who have scientific knowledge of plants and their cultivation, who know how to maintain an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound fields, golf courses, and grounds, and who possess strong interpersonal skills. The unique educational experience provided in our Two-Year Certificate Program will prepare you for these challenges and more!

Our program consists of two, 10-week classroom sessions each fall learning the essentials of turf and soil science, plant materials, irrigation technology, golf course construction, pest management, and leadership skills from university faculty and industry experts. In between, you will complete a paid internship at a golf course to gain hands-on skills.

Fall is a great time to study at Rutgers. Plants are still in bloom, the turf is still green, and the weather is relatively mild. Plus there is a higher teacher to student ratio in the fall session.

Successful graduates go on to become golf course superintendents, sports field managers for professional sports teams and universities, grounds directors for corporate facilities, nursery and turf farm managers, landscape firm owners, golf course management and construction consultants, and grounds managers for city, county, and state parks around the country and across the globe.

Most importantly, two-year certificate holders have close to the same salary potential as four-year degree holders without the significant expense of going to college.

PROGRAM DETAILS:
 Year 1 Dates: Oct. 5 - Dec. 16, 2026, Mon-Fri
 Year 2 Dates: Oct. to Dec. 2027 (exact dates TBD)
 Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
 Location: New Brunswick, NJ
 Format: Classroom course with hands-on activities

Application required. Learn more at https://cpe.rutgers.edu/golf-turf/two-year-certificate-apply