Sep 29, 2026
Grow Your Career in Turfgrass Management
From golf courses and athletic fields to parks, commercial landscapes, and public green spaces, organizations are seeking skilled professionals who can establish and maintain healthy, high-performing turf. As demand for qualified turfgrass professionals continues to grow, LSU Online, in partnership with the LSU AgCenter, is proud to introduce the new Turfgrass Management Certificate.
Offered in a flexible, fully online format, the Turfgrass Management Certificate makes specialized turfgrass education accessible to working adults while helping them build the practical knowledge and technical skills needed to succeed in today's evolving industry.
This program provides science- and career-focused education in turfgrass management, emphasizing the principles, practices, and decision-making strategies needed to maintain high-quality turfgrass systems sustainably and efficiently.
Designed for the Turfgrass Industry
Drawing on the LSU AgCenter's decades of research and Extension expertise, the Turfgrass Management Certificate curriculum prepares students to establish, maintain, and manage healthy, sustainable turf across a variety of managed green spaces.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 170,000 annual openings across the broader grounds maintenance workforce through 2034, with roles spanning landscaping, groundskeeping, athletic field management, and golf course maintenance. This sustained workforce demand underscores the importance of developing practical, relevant skills in turf and grounds management.
The Turfgrass Management Certificate responds to this need by providing learners with career-relevant knowledge they can apply on the job.
Students develop skills to:
- Select appropriate turfgrass species for different environments
- Manage mowing and fertility programs
- Improve soil health and nutrient management
- Identify and control weeds, insects, and diseases
- Apply landscape installation and maintenance best practices
- Maintain equipment for safe and efficient operation
Certificate completers can apply these skills in professional settings including golf courses, sports fields, parks and recreation departments, commercial landscaping companies, and other managed turf environments.
Learn on Your Schedule
Made for working adults, the Turfgrass Management Certificate is delivered entirely online, allowing students to balance coursework with work, family, and personal commitments. Learners can access course materials from virtually anywhere, making it possible to build specialized expertise without interrupting their careers.
Current turfgrass professionals looking to expand their knowledge and those entering the industry for the first time can all benefit from the program’s flexible pathway to professional growth.
The certificate is ideal for:
- Groundskeeping and landscape professionals
- Golf course and sports turf personnel
- Parks and recreation employees
- Commercial landscape and lawn care professionals
- Individuals interested in starting a career in the turfgrass industry
- Employers seeking workforce development opportunities for their teams
Build Your Turfgrass Management Career
Whether you're building on experience you already have, preparing for a new role, or developing your team's capabilities, the online Turfgrass Management Certificate offers a flexible way to build specialized skills for turfgrass management.
Through the partnership between LSU and the LSU AgCenter, this program provides an accessible, practical education that is grounded in science and informed by industry professionals.
Ready to build skills for new opportunities across the green industry? Explore the new online Turfgrass Management Certificate and start your journey today.