Lifelong Learning

Continuously improve your business and teaching skills to meet the increasing demands of the golf industry. The PGA Specialized Program is an online educational curriculum that supports the goals of PGA Members who are committed to excellence and furthering their career. It delivers “on-demand” access to training when your schedule permits, and reduces time and travel costs associated with traditional training.

To complete the Specialized designation, you must:

• Be a PGA Member
• Pay an online course library access fee of $350. Course library offers more than 200 courses (MSR Eligible).
• Select one of three specific career paths: Teaching & Coaching, Golf Operations or Executive Management
• Complete the 30 Required courses within your career path selection
• Complete 10 Self-Selected (elective) courses from our PGA Course Library
• Submit a Capstone project (View the project guidelines here).
• Once Specialization is complete, the next step in your journey is Certification.

Contact

If you would like to speak with someone in the PGA of America Education Department directly, please call (866) 866-3382, option 6 or you may email PGAMemberEdu@pgahq.com.

The Certified Professional Program is an online, career-enhancing educational curriculum that supports the goals of PGA Members who are committed to continuously improving their business and teaching skills to meet the increasing demands of the golf industry. This online approach ensures “on-demand” access when your schedule permits, while reducing time and travel costs associated with traditional classes.

The program offers three certifications:

• Executive Management
• Golf Operations
• Teaching & Coaching

Requirements of the Certified Professional Program include:

• PGA Specialist in selected Career Path
• PGA Member employed for five (5) years in selected Career Path
• Complete online coursework, fulfill required credentials, advise three (3) PGA Specialists and complete Capstone for selected Career Path

Specific requirements for each career path:

• Executive Management
• Golf Operations
• Teaching & Coaching

Once Certification is achieved, members are encouraged to continue their education in the Master Professional Program. This program is The PGA of America’s highest designation, and is comprised of an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired. PGA Professionals must have 10 years of PGA membership to achieve PGA Master Professional status.

The revised PGA Master Professional Program showcases a PGA Certified Professional’s continued expertise and experience in his or her specific career path through a proven track record of success and industry involvement. This program is designed to quantify and promote more value to employers and elevate the image of the PGA Certified Professional through a progressive approach to lifelong learning guided by enhanced mentoring and coaching.

The program offers three career paths for demonstrating one’s career Body of Work:

• Executive Management
• Golf Operations
• Teaching & Coaching

Requirements of the Master Professional Program include:

• PGA Certified in selected Career Path
• PGA Member employed for ten (10) years in selected Career Path
• Advise five (5) PGA Certified Professionals and complete Capstone with guidance from assigned mentor for selected Career Path