Lifelong Learning

The PGA Specialist 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 specializations:

1. Executive Management
2. Golf Operations
3. Teaching & Coaching

1. Select your career path
2. Complete all assigned reading + course work. The courses to complete will be listed once a career path is selected
3. Submit a paper that summarizes the impact and enhanced performance gained on the job as a result of your training and development
4. Complete a project that focuses around learning outcomes that support the certification of your choice
5. All PGA Members will be able to complete the Specialist Program, except for Class F Members. Class F Members may purchase the course library and complete courses, but cannot become Specialist until after transfer out of Class F

*Specific Requirements for Each Career Path*

1. Executive Management
2. Golf Operations
3. Teaching & Coaching

*Once Specialist level is achieved, members are encouraged to continue their education in the Certified and Master Professional Programs. These programs are the PGA of America’s highest designations and are comprised of extensive projects based on the specific specialization previously acquired. PGA Members must have at least five years of PGA Membership and five years of relevant working experience in their respective specialization in order to apply for Certified Professional status and must have a minimum of 10 years PGA Membership and 10 years of relevant working experience in their respective specialization in order to apply for Master Professional status.

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.

This program offers three certifications:

1. Executive Management
2. Golf Operations
3. Teaching & Coaching

*Specific requirements for each career path

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

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 & 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.

1. PGA Certified in selected Career Path
2. PGA Member employed for ten years in selected Career Path
3. Advise five PGA Certified Professionals and complete Capstone with guidance from assigned mentor for selected Career Path

PGA Certified Professionals pursuing the Master Professional Program must showcase their Career path talent in order for the MPP Review & Evaluation Team to determine that a candidate:

• Understands the varied skills and procedures required to demonstrate Mastery
• Can Integrate + apply varied skills in Career Path specific environments
• Demonstrates actual day-to-day experience and expertise to validate Mastery

1. Complete and submit an application
2. Complete and submit a written Project
3. MPP Review & Evaluation Team Mentoring designed to advise the Candidate on the Project for Approval and prior to attending the Checkpoint
4. Register for Checkpoint

1. Present the approved Project
2. Respond to Project & Presentation Question and Answer session
3. Specific Projects, such as Teaching & Coaching, also require the successful completion of a Skill Simulation
4. Debrief of Grading and Review of Presentation, Q&A, and Skill Simulation if required following

• No application fee
• Once the project is approved, register for a Master Professional Checkpoint by calling PGA MISC at 800-474-2776. The cost to register for a Checkpoint is $1,500
• Candidates will be responsible for all travel, lodging, transportation, F&B and other related expenses
• All Master Professional checkpoints will be held at the PGA Education Center