The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, together with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), have unveiled a new distance education program designed to enable golf course superintendents anywhere in the world to achieve graduate-level training or complete a master’s degree.
The new multidisciplinary program, the first of its kind in the United States to have been developed in cooperation with the GCSAA, will be coordinated through UNL’s Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. It offers courses not only in agronomy and horticulture, but also in entomology, plant pathology, business and leadership. All courses will be distance-delivered, thereby enabling participants to further their educational goals while still working in their careers. Those entering the program are not required to be physically present on the UNL campus at any time, and will have 10 years to complete the full master’s program.
Under the program, students will select from basic and/or advanced topic options in one of three areas–leadership, turf management, and facilities. Recognition for completion of these emphasis areas will be awarded through individual UNL departments, so participants will receive documentation for work completed, even if they do not pursue a master’s degree. The non-thesis master’s program consists of 36 graduate credit hours, with degrees offered in agronomy, entomology and leadership education. GCSAA members may apply selected GCSAA seminars toward emphasis areas and degree requirements.
“We’re extremely pleased and excited to offer this program in conjunction with GCSAA,” noted Dr. Mark Lagrimini, Professor and Head of UNL’s Department of Agronomy & Horticulture. “In the golf world, it is a highly prestigious organization, and we’re very gratified that it has chosen to partner with us to further the educational goals of its members.”
“GCSAA is committed to extending quality, well-rounded educational opportunities to our membership and this program has all the elements to do just that” noted Shari Koehler, GCSAA Director of Education. “We too, are extremely pleased to offer this program in conjunction with UNL to further benefit the educational goals of our members.”
Dr. Roch Gaussoin, Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, will serve as student advisor for the program. Dr. Gaussoin is a long-time faculty member for GCSAA. The program is now accepting students for the fall 2006 semester. Dr. Deana Namuth, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, coordinates plant science distance education programming. For more information contact: Dr. Roch Gaussoin at the UNL Dept. of Agronomy & Horticulture, (402) 472-8619, rgaussoin1@unl.edu
GCSAA www.gcsaa.org
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