Apply online or come to one of the Orientations:
| Week 1 | |
| Wed, August 19, 2009, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Thurs, August 20, 2009, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
| Week 2 | |
| Wed, August 26, 2009, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Thurs, August 27, 2009, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
| Week 3 | |
| Wed, September 2, 2009, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Thurs, September 3, 2009, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
| Week 4 | |
| Wed, September 9, 2009, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Thurs, September 10, 2009, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
| Week 5 | |
| Wed, September 16, 2009, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Thurs, September 17, 2009, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
Specialized Co-Op Programs
Integrated Pest Management
This department offers interdisciplinary programs of study with the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences leading to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Agriculture (non-thesis) degrees in Agricultural Pest Management. Effective management of pest problems in production agriculture requires a broad base of knowledge in the pest disciplines and practical field experience.
The undergraduate Agricultural Pest Management major features a strong core of courses in the three pest disciplines (entomology, plant pathology and weed science) and a summer internship combined with strong background in agricultural, biological and physical sciences. The student's complete program will be formulated in the department of his/her choice. These curricula are designed to meet the needs both of students who wish to pursue advanced degrees (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) and of students who wish to terminate their higher education with a baccalaureate degree.
Golf and Sports Turf Management
An Overview The Golf and Sports Turf Management (GSTM) curriculum consists of basic and applied courses in plant and soil science plus a core of courses in the humanities, social sciences and arts. The major career opportunities for GSTM graduates are in the golf and sports turf industry. New construction and renovation of private, daily fee, and resort golf courses have created a demand for trained golf course superintendents. Increased awareness of turf surface quality and player safety has heightened owner interest in employing qualified sports turf managers. This curriculum provides students with the education and experience to fill this need.
Mississippi State University's GSTM facilities include state of the art classrooms and laboratories plus an 18-hole championship golf course. Many GSTM majors have an opportunity to work for pay and gain valuable experience on the university course. The university course is also used daily as a teaching laboratory. The golf course superintendent holds a faculty position and gives classroom lectures and advice to GSTM majors.
A minimum of three semester of Cooperative Education work experiences are required of all GSTM majors. Through the Co-op program, students gain valuable experiences and knowledge at numerous prestigious golf courses and sports stadiums throughout the United States. Mississippi State University is presently the only school that offers a four year agronomy based degree in Golf and Sports Turf Management with an additional 12 months of experience required for graduation.
Professional Golf Management
The Professional Golf Management Program (PGM) at Mississippi State University is the second oldest program sanctioned by the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA). Through this four and one-half year program students receive a B.B.A. degree in Marketing, sixteen months of practical work experience, complete the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA PGM) Program, and are eligibile to apply for membership in the PGA of America. As you can see, Mississippi State PGM students are given all the tools necessary to succeed in the golf business.
The PGM Major leads to a bachelor's degree in business administration. In addition to the requirements for a degree in marketing, students must complete courses in turf management, food management, landscape architecture, golf course design, and human resource management. As part of the PGA PGM Program, PGM students will also attend on-campus PGA Seminars in Teaching Golf, Business Operations, and Staff Management and Organization. Additionally students will take a number of self-study courses covering the remainder of the PGA PGM requirements. Students will attend PGA PGM Checkpoints (tests) conducted by the PGA. These Checkpoints, held on campus, provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their competency in a number of academic and technical areas covered in the Mississippi State PGM curriculum, PGM co-op experiences, PGA PGM Seminars, and PGA PGM self-study courses.
Students must also complete a minimum of 16 months (five semesters) of co-op work experience under the guidance of the MSU Cooperative Education Program. These work experiences are under the tutelage of Class A PGA Professionals throughout the country. Students are required to be continuously enrolled at MSU as a full-time student or enrolled in the MSU Cooperative Education Program according to their co-op schedule. Those who complete the program thus earn a prestigious degree and reach the threshold of PGA Class A membership. The MSU PGM Program is national in scope with 36 states represented in the student body.