Penn State now accepting GCSAA certification portfolio toward degree

Penn State's World Campus announced today at the Golf Industry Show that it will accept the GCSAA certification portfolio as the equivalent of up to 18 credit hours toward Penn State's new 120-credit online bachelor of science degree in turfgrass science.

"This is a great opportunity for our members," said Penny Mitchell, GCSAA senior manager of certification. "Many of our members may have already earned up to 30 credits toward this degree though GCSAA seminars and certification requirements. Not only is this a chance to interact with top educators from one of the nation's most highly regarded programs in turfgrass management, but it's a chance to fulfill a portion of GCSAA certification requirements."

Up to 30 of the 120 credits required for the degree may be earned from “lifetime learning.” Up to 18 of these 30 credits can be awarded for a satisfactory GCSAA certification portfolio, with up to six credits for each of the three components: work samples, skill statements and case studies with scenarios. The remaining 12 credits can be earned from satisfactory completion of GCSAA seminars, with a half credit for each eight-hour seminar. As an alternative, graduates of the Penn State Golf Turf Management Program will be awarded the entire 30 credits (and graduates of the Rutgers Turfgrass Winter Course will be awarded 20 credits) immediately upon being accepted for this degree program. These credits will substitute for credits from selected major courses.

All requirements for the turfgrass science major shown in the checklist at http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/turfgrass must be satisfied, including major, general education and elective courses.

For more information contact: Penny Mitchell, GCSAA senior manager of certification, at 800- 472-7878 or mailto:mpmitchell@gcsaa.org or Penn State World Campus at 800- 252-3592 , mailto:mpsuwd@psu.edu, or http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/turfgrass.