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Professional Golf Turf Management Program
Grow Your
Turf Career
Jump to: Benefits of Rutgers Turf • Who Should Attend? • Program Options • Contact Us • Learn More
Tee up for success in the turf industry. Advance your career with the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management Program.
Why Choose Rutgers?
Career Advancement
Over 5,000 golf turf professionals, from all 50 states and over 20 countries, have graduated from our two-year certificate program since 1962. Our alumni, like GCSAA Class A superintendent Julio Diaz, pictured above, work as golf course superintendents, leaders in related turfgrass industries or are assistant superintendents worldwide.
Convenience
Our two ten-week sessions bookend a nine-month period, during which you must complete a paid 200+ hour internship. Designed to minimize your time away from work and home, this is a great opportunity to quickly attain the education you need without breaking the bank or putting your career on hold.
Expert Instructors
To ensure you receive a well-rounded education, our team of instructors includes superintendents, plant diagnostic specialists, irrigation professionals, and turf consultants, as well as world-renowned Rutgers faculty from the Center for Turfgrass Science.
Networking
Become part of our prestigious network of Rutgers turfgrass alumni. Throughout your career, whether you are searching for a job for yourself, looking to hire someone for your greens team, or have technical questions, the Rutgers alumni network will serve you as an invaluable resource.
Practical Content
Hands-on training utilizing our on-site workshop, turf research farm, and Rutgers Gardens greenhouses demonstrate concepts learned in the classroom. You’ll learn the science behind turfgrass management and how to implement real-world solutions to any challenges that come your way.
Student Support
Led by Program Coordinator Elizabeth Coogan, our administrative team is focused on your success and here to help you every step of the way. We would love to hear from you and are happy to discuss your opportunities here at Rutgers, as well as answer any questions you may have about our programs.
Who Should Attend?
Our Two-Year Certificate Program is recommended for individuals seeking in-depth training to advance their turf management careers. Less than one season of experience? Consider our Online Three-Week Turf Course, which has no prerequisites.
Assistant Golf Course Superintendents
College Graduates in Related Fields
Golf Course Superintendents
Greenskeepers
Grounds Managers and Crew Members
Irrigation Technicians
Landscape Professionals
Mechanics
Park Managers
Sports Turf Managers
Spray Technicians
Veterans of the U.S. military
Turf Career Options
Students who graduate from the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management Program don’t just work on top golf courses around the US and the world. Our alumni also work outdoors for many different types of employers, doing lots of amazing work, including:
- Consulting and designing courses for golf course construction firms
- Directing grounds maintenance for large corporate facilities, like Pfizer Global
- Doing sales for golf course equipment companies and turf seed companies
- Greenskeeping and grounds maintenance for sports stadiums, from Yankee Stadium to Florida’s minor league ballparks
- Managing the infield grounds for NASCAR
- Managing town, city, county, and state parks, from New York’s Central Park to Cheyenne, Wyoming’s city parks to Boone County, Kentucky’s parks
- Owning and managing landscape design firms and irrigation companies
Rutgers Turf by the Numbers
Two-year certificate program alumni from all 50 states and over 20 countries
Average base salary for a golf course superintendent with two-year certificate
Alumni currently working as golf course superintendents or leaders in related turfgrass careers
Alumni currently working as assistant superintendents worldwide
*Source: 2025 GCSAA Compensation and Benefits Report.
Rutgers Turf Program Options
Two-Year Certificate Program
Ideal for individuals with some turf experience who want to advance their careers, boost their salaries, and have the time and commitment for in-depth training
- Attend two 10-week sessions on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick, NJ during Fall or Winter
- Includes 200-hour paid internship completed between the 10-week sessions, field trips, and hands-on training
- Prerequisite: High school diploma/GED and at least one season of work experience on golf course or sports field
- $6,495 tuition fee for each 10-week session, plus application fee, books, and housing/travel expenses.
- The same tuition rate applies to both NJ and out-of-state residents
- Payment plans, financial aid, and scholarships available
Online Three-Week Preparatory Course
A great choice if you are new to turf management, looking for formal education to move up the ladder quickly, short on time, or tight on money
- Online course offered every January
- Flexible schedule designed to give you the maximum amount of content in the least amount of time
- All are invited to attend; no application process, no prerequisites
- $2,495 tuition fee for the 3-week course
- Save $200 if you enroll by December 31, 2026 (Pay only $2,295)
- Payment plans and financial aid available
- Students who successfully complete this program and pass a final exam will be issued a digital badge that details the rigorous training they completed
“Going to the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School was one of the best decisions I ever made. The knowledge and connections that I have gained are tremendous. Rutgers honed my skills and taught me the reasons behind the cultural practices we do and the chemicals we apply.
After the first session, I was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at my previous golf course. As soon as I graduated, I landed a head superintendent position! I would recommend this program to anyone who loves turf management because you won’t find a better group of teachers anywhere in the world.”
Kevin Lynch, Two-Year Certificate Program Graduate
Superintendent, Seneca Falls Country Club, Seneca Falls, NY
Questions About Rutgers Turf?
We would love to hear from you and are happy to discuss your opportunities here at Rutgers!
Elizabeth Coogan
Program Coordinator
Two-Year Certificate
2yearturf@njaes.rutgers.edu
Online Three-Week Course
3weekturf@njaes.rutgers.edu
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are just beginning to consider your options for the turf program or you need guidance finalizing the last few details before coming to New Jersey, our team is here for you every step of the way.
Feel free to contact us at any time, or fill out one of the forms below to reach out. We can help with choosing which program best meets your needs and goals, the application/registration process, arranging housing, payment/financial aid issues, and anything else you may need.
We would love to hear from you and are happy to discuss your opportunities here at Rutgers!
Complete the information request form. Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Complete the application form. Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Office of Continuing Professional Education
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
102 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
ocpe@njaes.rutgers.edu
848-932-9271
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