BASc Golf Course Management

The Bachelor of Applied Science - Golf Course Management is the prestigious credential that today’s golf course industry professionals are looking for. Within Canada this degree is the highest level of education you can achieve in the turfgrass management profession.

To enter into the Bachelor of Applied Science - Golf Course Management you must first complete the Turfgrass Management Diploma.

What will you learn?

Based on the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association’s National Occupational Standards profile, and the advice of industry experts, you will learn the skills and techniques needed for managing a golf course’s complex ecosystem. The program provides business, applied science and advanced technical training.

If you are interested in learning environmental and operational management on the job, this is the program for you. You will learn from professionals that have worked as course superintendents and are still active in the industry.

View Program Outline

Program Details

Credential: Applied Degree

Length of Program: 2 Years

Method of Delivery: Online (classes delivered synchronously or “live”)

Directed Field Study/Work Term/Practicum: Yes, an 8-month Directed Field Study is completed at the end of the program.

Program Intakes: Fall Intake (November start)

Program Dates: Please visit our Dates & Schedules page to confirm start and end dates of your desired program and confirm campus closures.

Applications Open: October 1 for the Fall Intake

Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Accepted

Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, and Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details

Year 3: Tuition: $5,020 / Fees: $1,025 / Books & Supplies: $500
Year 4: Tuition: $4,010 / Fees: $675 / Books & Supplies: $0

* Please note that international students pay 3.5 times the domestic tuition amount. These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. All students should refer to the Fee Schedule for the most accurate information and all fees are subject to change.*

Admission Requirements

2.5 GPA in the 60 credits from the Olds College Turfgrass Management Diploma, or an equivalent program, or a degree in a closely related area.
OR Certified Journeyperson Landscape Horticulturist with a Red Seal
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement.

International Applicants

Olds College welcomes applications from international applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency. Further information can be found on our website under International Students.

International Students in this program will require a Co-Op Permit, a Study Permit and a Social Insurance Number for this program. Learn more on the International Students page.

Admitted Students Information

Program Dates

Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration

You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation

It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

A laptop is preferred

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

Go to portal.office.com
Enter your Olds College email address and password
Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies:

The following items are required to be purchased before the program starts:

Pair of CSA approved safety-toed boots
Adequate clothing for outdoor activities
Pair of good quality safety glasses

Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Other Important Information:

Safety Regulations: Wearing safety equipment and abiding by industry safety standards is mandatory within our program.

Time Requirements: Students are typically in class or on field trips for up to 3-8 hours a day, on each weekday, with normal class hours ranging from 8 am to 12:15 pm. Occasionally, overnight and weekend trips will occur. Ample forewarning of overnight stays and field trips, their times and dates will be provided along with the necessary requirements for attending them. You will also be expected to complete numerous assignments outside of regularly scheduled classes that will vary in terms of their demands upon your time. This amount of time will vary with each course that you take, but a reasonable estimate would be 50 hours per week of effort inclusive of class time.

Additional Skills: Basic computer skills are recommended for all and it is certainly beneficial to have some prior experience with computers before you arrive at college. A familiarity and comfort in the use of Google products, word processing, spreadsheet and e-mailing software will be a definite asset. Students have the ability to take notes directly into their devices as the class proceeds. You will be schooled in other systems once you arrive and as need dictates. For example, the learning management system ‘Moodle’ is commonly used in the School of Animal Science and Horticulture and you will be introduced to its use and application in your very first classes.

Student Clubs: The Horticulture and Turf Clubs are examples of groups that offer an additional dimension to your Olds College experience. There are also a number of college sports teams, some of which participate at the inter-collegiate level while others are purely recreational.
Lockers: Lockers are available in the Land Sciences Building. All you need to do during your first few days at Olds is to select one without a lock and it’s yours for the duration. It is strongly recommend that you select a locker in the first week of classes because of high demand. You are required to provide your own lock and to register your locker

"The program is structured differently so that students work through the entire golf season; this is a benefit to both the student and the golf courses. The students will now be working and learning in October when the courses are put to bed. We are happy to be student mentors. There is a shortage of skilled professionals in our industry and golf courses scramble to grab graduates from Olds College. The programs are filled with options and will definitely help propel a student’s career."
- Dustin Zdan – Superintendent, Connaught Golf Club