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.

Guidelines & Application for the Epting/Mathews Co-op Student of the Year

Epting/Mathews Co-op Student of the Year Scholarship
Award sponsored by Northrop Grumman

Each year the Cooperative Education Program will recognize one outstanding co-op student for their academic excellence, exhibited professionalism in the work place, and leadership in their respective organizations.  The student needs to believe in the value and benefits of co-op but is not required to have been formally involved in co-op promotion activities.

Requirements:

• 2.50/4.00 Overall GPA
• Must have completed at least two work terms (one must be a non-summer term)
• One work term must have been in the calendar year they are nominated
• Must be an active co-op student
• All co-op majors are eligible

Award:

• $500.00 scholarship
• Recognition plaque
• Award to be given at a time when possible employers and faculty are on campus – such as lunch at co-op IVD so employer and faculty can be recognized
• If the award recipient is an engineering student, the student application packet will be automatically submitted to participate in the CEED Student of the Year contest.

Timeline:

• Email qualified students by July 1st
• Student applications with faculty and supervisor letters of recommendation due August 26th
• Nominations will be judged by the selection committee by September 22th
• Awards will be presented during Co-op IVD luncheon Oct 11-13
• Submit engineering award recipient to CEED in November
•  

Application Process:

• Letter goes out to all qualified students (see requirements)
• Student must submit cover sheet, resume, two-page Student Statement, and letters of recommendation to Co-op Office      
• Student’s qualifications will be verified to make sure they meet the necessary requirements.
• All complete application packets (including cover sheet, student resume and statement, and faculty and supervisor recommendation) will be forwarded to the selection committee.

 Student Application Packet:

• 2011 Student of the Year nomination cover sheet
• Letter of Recommendation from the student’s employer (Maximum 2 pages, typed, double spaced)
• Letter of Recommendation from the student’s academic department (Maximum 2 pages, typed, double spaced)
• Statement from the nominated student (2 pages, typed, double spaced)
• Student’s most recent resume

Instructions for Employer Letter of Recommendation:
(Maximum 2 pages, typed, double spaced)  Topics to consider include:

• The student’s work-related duties, quantity of work, and quality of work.
• Examples of the student’s initiative or creative or original work.
• Examples of how the student was challenged during their co-op assignment.
• Any published papers, presentations, or other formal presentations of their work.
• Any recognition or awards from the company.
• The student’s involvement in the community.
• The student’s involvement in improving the company’s co-op program.
• The overall impact of this student on the department or company.
• No work samples or additional documents will be accepted.

Instructions for University Letter of Recommendation:
(Maximum 2 pages, typed, double spaced)  Topics to consider include:

• The student’s academic performance.
• Examples of the student’s initiative or creative or original work.
• Any recognition, honors or awards from the university or other organizations.
• Any leadership positions.
• The student’s involvement on campus and in the community.
• The student’s service to co-op locally, regionally, or nationally.
• The student’s relationship with the college/department.
• The student’s character.
• No work samples or additional documents will be accepted.

Instructions for Student Statement:
(2 pages, typed, double spaced) Student must include a copy of the most recent resume (no more than two pages).  Topics to consider include:

• Detailed description of the co-op work experience.
• Indicate how co-op has been beneficial to the classroom learning experience.
• Indicate how co-op experiences have impacted college and future career.
• Future career goals.
• Achievements, awards, honors, and self initiative both on the job and in school.
• Contributions to the employer, school and community.
• No work samples or additional documents will be accepted.

Selection Committee & Criteria:
The committee will consist of three to five faculty members or co-op employers to be selected by the co-op staff.  The applications and evaluation sheets will be emailed to each committee member for review.

Application for the Epting/Mathews Co-op Student of the Year

Current & Past Co-op Students of the Year

2011 Epting/Mathews Co-op Student of the Year - Mary Ann Murdock
2010 Epting/Mathews Co-op Student of the Year - Sam Sullivan

Co-op Ambassador Guidelines

We are looking for Co-op students with excellent leadership skills and enthusiasm for co-op who will be able to serve both the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters. This is an opportunity for GREAT STUDENT LEADERS to get PAID experience on campus. Co-op Ambassadors will promote the Cooperative Education program and serve as direct links to students needing career assistance.

Benefits

• Learn Valuable Career Info
• Enhance Your Presentation Skills
• Interact With Employers
• Help Students
• Explore/Increase YOUR Career Options

Qualifications to Apply

• Rising Junior or Senior
• Minimum 2.50 GPA
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Ability to work 15-20 hours per week for 2012-2013 academic year
• Must have satisfactorily completed three Co-op work terms

Training

The Co-op Ambassadors will be required to participate in a weekend training with other student groups working in the Career Center. This will be conducted right after school starts in the fall 2011 semester.

Responsibilities will include:

• Assisting walk-in students with questions regarding the Co-op Program, reviewing resumes and cover letters, answering the telephone and other Co-op and career-related topics
• Participating in outreach activities, including presentations to non-college specific campus organizations (residence halls, service and social organizations, etc.)
• Helping Career Center staff with special events such as Career Day, Co-op IVD, Education Interview Day, etc.
• Researching career information for student access
• Other duties as assigned

Co-op Ambassadors will work 15-20 hours per week during the 2012-2013 academic year. Those hours will break down as follows:

• Ten hours of scheduled office hours per week
• Four hours of outside presentations each week, or other outreach opportunities
• One hour of staffing to be held each week