Commercial Turf & Grounds Management

The Commercial Turf & Grounds Management program is designed to prepare students to enter careers as specialists and supervisors in turf and landscape management. Graduates may find employment in maintaining golf courses, athletic turf, parks, and recreational facilities as well as grounds of large commercial buildings, malls, and college campuses.  The program is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

The program contributes to the green industry by emphasizing the responsible use of products and appropriate plant selection to maximize the environmental benefits of healthy lawns and landscapes.

The Commercial Turf & Grounds Management program is unique in that some courses are delivered in eight-week blocks so students finish their first and second years in early March. Graduates and interns are available to industry in early March when employers in this industry are actively looking for qualified personnel.

The curriculum is rigorous, fast-paced, and designed to emphasize problem solving skills and critical thinking. The program is both physically and mentally challenging. Classes are small so students receive individualized attention and hands-on education. Students will complete core general education courses and earn a Missouri Category 3 Pesticide Applicator's License.

Students may also choose to pursue a one-year certificate in the technical areas of Turfgrass Management and/or Landscape Management. Commercial Turf & Grounds Management certificate students receive education in related turf and landscape fields; equipment operations and maintenance; applied math; pest, weed, and disease control; and communications.

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/commercial-turf-ground-management-program-facts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Commercial Turf & Grounds Management program is to provide the diverse commercial turf and grounds industries of Missouri and beyond with skillful and knowledgeable employees who possess the ability to
quickly advance and become members of the leadership team while earning profitable compensation.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• Knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the commercial turf and grounds management industry.
• Attitudes to assure an appreciation of the dignity of work and the satisfaction of a job well done.
• Knowledge and/or credentials necessary to obtain certain state and professional licensures and/or certifications.
• Analytic problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 01.0607

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
CTG	106	Fundamentals of Turf and Grounds	3
CTG	107	Turfgrass Management I	3
CTG	109	Equipment Operations and Maintenance	3
CTG	115	Commercial Site Contracting	2
CTG	116	Plant Propagation	3
CTG	122	Internship I	2
CTG	126	Internship II	3-6
CTG	201	Weeds and Diseases	3
CTG	204	Insects and Pests	3
CTG	206	Irrigation and Drainage	3
CTG	207	Turfgrass Management II	3
CTG	215	Landscape Design	3
CTG	217	Herbaceous Plant Identification	3
CTG	218	Woody Plant Identification & Maintenance	4
CTG	220	Basic Shop for Horticulture	2
SUB-TOTAL			43-46

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
General Education Requirements			19
Must Include:
PHY	103	Environmental Science	4
PHY	104	Environmental Science Lab	0
		or
A science course with lab approved by CTG department chair.			4
May Not Include:
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
SUB-TOTAL			19

Program Requirements

			Credit Hours
AGR	100	Introduction to Agribusiness Systems	3
CTG	100	Missouri Pesticide Application	2
SUB-TOTAL			5

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
SEM	110	Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture	0
It is a graduation requirement of the Commercial Turf & Grounds Management (CTG) program for students to earn CPR and First Aid certification.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

68-71

Turfgrass Management and/or Landscape Management Certificate - One-Year (C1)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 01.0607

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
CTG	100	Missouri Pesticide Application	2
CTG	106	Fundamentals of Turf and Grounds	3
CTG	109	Equipment Operations and Maintenance	3
CTG	115	Commercial Site Contracting	2
CTG	201	Weeds and Diseases	3
CTG	204	Insects and Pests	3
SUB-TOTAL			16

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
Must Include:
Three credit hours from Area 1. Oral & Written Communication			3
Three credit hours from Area 5. Technical Literacy			3
May Not Include:
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
SUB-TOTAL			6

Program Requirements - Turfgrass Management Certificate

			Credit Hours
CTG	107	Turfgrass Management I	3
CTG	206	Irrigation and Drainage	3
CTG	207	Turfgrass Management II	3
PHY	103	Environmental Science	4
		and
PHY	104	Environmental Science Lab	0
SUB-TOTAL			13

Program Requirements - Landscape Management Certificate

			Credit Hours
CTG	215	Landscape Design	3
CTG	217	Herbaceous Plant Identification	3
CTG	218	Woody Plant Identification & Maintenance	4
SUB-TOTAL			10

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
SEM	110	Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture	0
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

33-36

Courses

AGR 100: Introduction to Agribusiness Systems

This course is an introduction to agribusiness systems. An overview of the agribusiness industry is provided. Economic and financial principles, retail salesmanship, and record keeping methods are covered.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 100: Missouri Pesticide Application

A course designed to guide students in pursuit of the Missouri Pesticide Applicator's License. This license is only available through the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Credit Hours: 2

CTG 106: Fundamentals of Turf and Grounds

A course designed to introduce students to fundamental terminology, theories, principles and practices that are a necessity for any person pursuing a career in specialized professions of turf and grounds.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 107: Turfgrass Management I

A course designed to introduce students to turfgrasses common to Missouri and the transition zone. Emphasis will be placed upon turfgrass structures as a means of identification as well as turfgrass characteristics and their usage.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 109: Equipment Operations and Maintenance

A course emphasizing principles of machinery operation and maintenance common in the turf and grounds industry. Emphasis will be placed upon proper adjustment, calibration, repair and safety.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 115: Commercial Site Contracting

An applied mathematics course designed to teach skills utilized on a daily basis by professional turf and grounds technicians. Emphasis will be placed upon business math, bidding, and related fundamental math skills.

Credit Hours: 2

CTG 116: Plant Propagation

A course containing the fundamental principles involved in plant propagation, both sexual and asexual. Students will learn many useful techniques of propagating plants.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 122: Internship I

In this course students will research potential internship training sites. Students will secure employment, enter into an internship agreement, and complete required internship forms.

Credit Hours: 2

CTG 126: Internship II

This course is a field-based learning experience that combines study, observation, and supervised occupational/employment with an agricultural business, organization, or government agency in the commercial turf and grounds industry. Students will use this opportunity to apply horticultural, leadership, communications and business theories learned in a practical context. The student intern, internship supervisor, and college coordinator develop an individual internship plan. Students must complete this course requirement by taking and passing either one-six credit hour course or two-three credit hour courses.

Requisite:
Prerequisite CTG 122 with a passing grade.

Credit Hours: 3-6

CTG 201: Weeds and Diseases

A course designed to introduce students to common weeds and diseases of ornamentals and turfgrasses. Identification and control are emphasized.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 204: Insects and Pests

Emphasis on identification of insects and other pests on ornamentals and turfgrasses. Control of insects will be discussed using Integrated Pest Management and pesticides.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 206: Irrigation and Drainage

A course designed to introduce students to landscape and golf course irrigation systems, their design and installation as well as drainage. Special emphasis will be placed upon irrigation hydraulics and irrigation efficiency.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 207: Turfgrass Management II

Designed to provide advanced establishment skills in the maintenance of turf areas pertaining to golf courses, athletic fields, parks, and sod producers. Includes golf course design, athletic field maintenance, fertilization, and mowing. Provides information for turf and grounds professionals in the maintenance and improvement of turfgrass playing areas. Methods of improving management practices, interpersonal skills, as well as leadership skills will be stressed.

Requisite:
Prerequisite CTG 107 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 215: Landscape Design

A study of the principles of landscape design including an appreciation of various artistic and design theories. Emphasis is placed on practical application as well as installation limitations and practices. Designs are drafted using computer software.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 217: Herbaceous Plant Identification

A study in the identification of herbaceous plants, their selection, use and maintenance in landscaping. Emphasis will be given to culture, function and individual characteristics.

Credit Hours: 3

CTG 218: Woody Plant Identification & Maintenance

A study in the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs that are commonly utilized in the landscape industry. Techniques in maintenance of ornamentals will be presented emphasizing function in the landscape. Analysis of pruning needs will be practiced.

Credit Hours: 4

CTG 220: Basic Shop for Horticulture

A course designed to provide students with a general knowledge of basic shop principles and practices that are common in the commercial turf and grounds indusstry. Students will learn how to select and utilize various tools and equipment commonly found in the shop. Basic welding and grinding techniques will be emphasized and students will be exposed to small engine maintenance and basic hydraulics. Shop safety will be emphasized in every phase of this course.

Credit Hours: 2

SEM 110: Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture

This is a two day seminar offered for students and professionals for the purpose of learning conversational Spanish and Hispanic culture. Participants have a desire to better understand and communicate with crew and co-workers of Spanish origin working in their industry.

Credit Hours: 0