Turfgrass Management Technology

The turfgrass management technology program provides students with the instruction, knowledge, and skills required for a successful career in the turfgrass Industry. The program serves the green industry. Whether it is in turfgrass, horticultural, agriculture, landscape construction, landscape gardening, or landscape maintenance, you could make above-average income, turfgrass management technology could be the right choice for you.

At GTCC, we offer a curriculum aimed at getting you into the workforce quickly and effectively. We train you on “state-of-the-art” equipment using industry-standard protocols and curriculum. Turfgrass managers are certain to be in demand as long as people need maintenance in the green industry. The turfgrass management program equips students with the employability skills necessary for stable long-term employment.

Always in demand

Entering a career in turfgrass offers job security and a future of steady work. Slumps in the economy do not stop plants from growing, therefore, the landscape will always require maintenance. The industry has a shortage of qualified turfgrass managers. Your job skillset will qualify you for employment in positions such as golf course superintendent, sports turf manager, department supervisor, estate grounds supervisor, senior spray technician, landscape manager, director of grounds maintenance, highway right of way supervisor, sod production supervisor, equipment manager, head groundskeeper, or director of golf course maintenance, and others.

Credentialing Options

Turfgrass Management Technology, AAS - CIP Code: 01.0607

A 15 42 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 53023

The Turfgrass Management Technology curriculum is designed to provide skills necessary to perform duties related to management of golf courses, sports fields, lawn care, irrigation design, and sod production.

Coursework includes turfgrass management, irrigation, ornamental horticulture, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, as well as courses in communications, computers, and the social sciences.

Graduates should qualify for employment at golf courses, local, state, and national parks, sports complexes, highway vegetation and turf maintenance companies, and private and public gardens. Graduates should also be prepared to take the examination for the North Carolina pesticide licenses, N.C. Certified Plantsman, and N.C. Landscape Contractors' Registration Board License.

Students enrolled in this program may be required to travel "to and from" job sites, associated with required "hands on" laboratory work. Students may be required to arrive on campus up to 30 minutes prior to class start times, to accommodate travel.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Turfgrass Management degree, the graduate should be able to:

  • Demonstrate how to establish and maintain effective turfgrass projects.  
  • Apply manufactures maintenance schedules to Turfgrass equipment.  
  • Design landscaping using computer software programs.  
  • Design and build Hardscapes used in landscaping designs.  
  • Evaluate how weather affects different outdoor plants and planning.  

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 14

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 15

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 5

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Total credit hours required for degree: 64

Electives

1. Communications Electives

2. Humanities/Fine Arts Electives

3. Social/Behavioral Science Electives

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About Turfgrass Management

Turfgrass Management Program at GTCC

Turfgrass Management Technology

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Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC. During advising, you can indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need. Feel free to contact anyone in the Turfgrass Management Technology program to set up an appointment.

Steven Matthews, Department Chair

James “Alan” Milam, Lead Instructor, Turfgrass Management Technology

Tony McKinney, Adjunct Instructor, Turfgrass Management Technology

Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822, option 3.

Yes, if you have a high school diploma.

Students will need:
  • Required textbooks
  • 4 GB or larger USB drive, binders, clear sheet protectors, paper, pens, and pencils.

Some of these items are available through the campus bookstore.

  • Once you complete the degree program, you would expect to enter the field with a salary range of $35,000-$50,000 depending on your motivation and the job you obtained.
  • A turfgrass supervisor with three to five years of experience should expect to earn a salary up to $40,000-$60,000.
  • Top turfgrass managers in our area can earn up to $100,000 depending on skillset, the company, and motivation.
  • Managers in our areas have a salary range of $60,000-$120,000 depending on the business.

The Turfgrass Management Technology programs are usually offered during the afternoon and evening. This schedule allows you to attend classes and still keep your job.

You can obtain a job before you are finished with your diploma or degree program. Job placement depends on work ethic, attendance, type of job opening, and class performance. Normally, top performers are employed before they graduate.

You will find jobs including golf courses; local, state, and national parks; municipalities; state and federal facilities; sports complexes; highway vegetation; turf maintenance companies; home and garden centers; private estates; and public gardens. You should also be prepared to take the examination for the North Carolina pesticide licenses, N.C. Certified Plant Professional, N.C. Certified Turfgrass Professional, and N.C. Landscape Contractors’ Registration Board License.

Certificates are offered by the State of North Carolina for classes that are completed throughout the curriculum. Two years of school satisfies one of the two years of experience requirements for the CPP and CTP Exams. The State of North Carolina Pesticide License is one of the most sought after certifications in every facet of the green industry.

The cost is $1,400 a semester.

  • Books: $150 to $1,000 (depending on courses/program taken)
  • Tuition: $500 to $1,250 a semester (certificate-one or two semesters, diploma-three semesters, degree- five semesters)