Turfgrass Management

The purpose of the Turfgrass Management Program is to provide 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, where 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 utilizing industry standard protocol and curriculum. Turfgrass Managers are certain to be in-demand for as long as people have the need for maintenance in the green industry. The Turfgrass Management program equips students with the employability skills necessary for stable long-term employment.

Turfgrass Managers are Always in Demand: Entering a career in Turfgrass guarantees 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 currently has a shortage of qualified Turfgrass Managers. The Turfgrass industry is not readily disrupted by changes that may disrupt other businesses. When you complete your Turfgrass degree and have worked in the Turfgrass industry, you become an expert on the subject of Turfgrass Management. Your job skill set will qualify you for employment listed under titles like Golf Course Superintendent, Sportsturf 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 similar job description titles.

Credentialing Options

About Turfgrass Management

Turfgrass Management Program at GTCC

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC.  During the advising process you will have the opportunity to 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.

  • Required text books.
  • 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 certificate program, you would expect to enter the field with a salary range of 18-24k depending on your motivation and job obtained.

Once you complete the diploma program, you would expect to enter the field with a salary range of 20-35k depending on your motivation and job obtained.

Once you complete the degree program, you would expect to enter the field with a salary range of 35-50k depending on your motivation and job obtained.

  • A Turfgrass Supervisor with three to five years of experience should expect to earn a salary up to 40-60k.
  • Top Turfgrass Managers in our area can earn up to 100k depending on skillset, the company, and motivation.
  • Managers in our areas have salary range of 60-120K depending on 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 the diploma or degree programs. Job placement depends on work ethic, attendance, type of job opening, and class performance. Normally, top performers are employed before they graduate.

You should qualify for employment at golf courses, local, state, and national parks, municipalities, State and Federal facilities, sports complexes, highway vegetation and 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.

There are certificates 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.

$1,400.00 a semester

  • Books = $150.00 to $1,000.00 (depending on courses/program taken)
  • Tuition = $500.00 to $1,250.00 a semester (certificate-one or two semesters, diploma-three semesters, degree- five semesters)