Current Students | Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Members of the 2023 PGA PGM Student Society Executive Board

Internships

Current students in the PGA PGM program have the distinct advantage taking part in five internships during their course of study. These five internships will provide you with sixteen months of experience and skill building at locations across the country. All internships are paid with an average pay of more than $12.00 per hour.

Spring Break Trips

The second week of March is always a special week for many of our students in the PGA PGM program. While some university students may desire a warm destination for spring break, many of our students prefer to partake in an experience at some of the world’s top golf destinations.

Scotland

Every other year we visit the Home of Golf, St. Andrews, Scotland. Throughout the spring semester leading up to the trip, you meet weekly as a class to prepare for the trip to gain an understanding of the history of Scotland, the history of golf, cultural, awareness, golf course architecture, and golf facility design. While in Scotland, the students gain a better understanding of the golf industry from an international perspective, experience the history and culture of Scotland, and get to play some of the most historic and best courses in the world, including Carnoustie, Castle, Crail, Jubilee, Muirfield, Prestwick, Turnberry, and the Old Course.

Bandon Dunes, OR

PGA Professional Golf Management students are also able to experience a special trip to the #1 Golf Resort in the world--Bandon Dunes. In a trip that rivals a trip to Scotland, the students get to play some of the best public golf courses in the world, including Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old MacDonald, Pacific Dunes, The Preserve, and Sheep Ranch.

PGA PGM students and advisors in Bandon, OR.

PGA PGM students and faculty in Bandon, OR.

Activities and Organizations

As a current student, you have unlimited access to thirty-six holes of championship golf on campus, short game practice areas, and award-winning area golf courses. Plus you will have the opportunity to participate in PGA PGM Tournament Series, a series of competitive golf events throughout the fall and spring semesters, which are designed to help students become better players and meet their fellow classmates.

Another way for students to meet and network is through the PGA PGM Student Society. The group meets monthly, and offers all PGA PGM students the ability to openly discuss relevant golf-related issues. Each meeting usually highlights a Penn State PGA PGM alumnus, who physically comes to campus to meet with students and impart wisdom from their experiences on internships and post-graduation.

Scholarships

The College of Health and Human Development (HHD) and the PGA PGM Program awards scholarships on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, school/community activities, leadership positions, and work experience.

Curriculum

In addition to the general education courses, such as math, english, public speaking, and science, the PGA Professional Golf Management Program requires completion of the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management core and five (5) internships. To further prepare you for a career in professional golf management, several courses with a strong business focus are required.

Fore more information, please visit the Program Overview, About the Program page, or contact us!

PGA Educational Requirements

The PGA of America’s PGA Professional Golf Management Program requirements are integrated into select courses at Penn State. In addition, students will also be required to complete a number of seminars and workshops. During the various PGA courses, students will complete the PGA assessment testing and create individual portfolios. The PGA testing will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate, through a variety of examination formats, their competency in a number of academic and technical areas that are covered in the Penn State courses and PGA Seminars.

Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate

The Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate provides students with a broad foundation in business and includes courses in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Supply Chains, Marketing, Management, Legal Environment of Business, and Statistics. This certificate can be fulfilled along with the golf management option, as many of the courses are required in both programs.