University of Guelph Campus News: High Demand for Turf Students Continues
By Sara Stricker
Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Guelph Turfgrass Institute
Skilled turfgrass managers are in high demand, and the degree, diploma, and certificate programs at the University of Guelph has seen a surge in applications. At the University of Guelph, we currently have the largest cohort of Diploma in Turfgrass Management (DTM) students in the past decade and the applications are already flowing in for next year.
The DTM program includes 4 semesters of in-class learning at the University of Guelph and a summer co-op work placement. This paid placement can be within many fields in the turfgrass industry, depending on the career goals of the student. The graduates of the DTM program have successfully pursued careers in golf, sports field management, lawncare, municipal operations, and sod farming.
Learn more about the 2-year diploma: https://www.uoguelph.ca/programs/turfgrass-management
If you dont have two years to dedicate to academia, the Turf Managers' Short Course (TMSC) is a certificate designed for a wide variety of turf industry professionals who are looking for a skills upgrade. This intensive month-long professional development program covers all aspects of turf culture and management. This year, the registration was filled before the early bird deadline and the waiting list was long enough to nearly fill the classroom for a second time.
In planning for the next cohort, the TMSC graduates from 20202023 were surveyed to learn more about their experience of learning online and in-person. In 2020 the course was held entirely in-person, and in 2021 and 2022 the course was hosted entirely online. In 2023 the course was offered online for 2 weeks and in-person for 2 weeks. Based on the results of this survey, the next TMSC cohort will run the first week through online instruction and the following three weeks at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. The choice to include a combination of online and in-class learning was made in response to the increased costs associated with travel, housing, and hospitality, balanced with a desire for hands-on learning opportunities.
Registration for the 2024 TMSC (Feb 5Mar 4, 2024) is now open, and the early bird deadline is November 25, 2023.
Learn more about the Turf Managers Short Course
For more information about the programs offered at the University of Guelph, or the research conducted at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute, please reach out to Sara at GTI@uoguelph.ca
