Students are admitted into the University of Maryland Eastern Shore PGA Golf Management Program on a competitive basis. Each year’s incoming class size is determined by the number of students currently enrolled, the number scheduled to graduate, and the program’s projected retention rate. Prospective students must first apply for entrance into the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Once admitted to the University, they then petition for admittance into the PGA Golf Management Program. A verification of a USGA handicap of 12 or less will be required. This must be verified by handicap card or equivalent. Copies of verification records will be kept in the student’s PGA Golf Management file.
Handicap Verification will include:
a. A copy of a current USGA handicap index card indicating a handicap of 12 or less.
b. The Confirmation of Playing Ability Form filled out by a PGA Golf Professional or High School Golf Coach.
c. Successful completion of the PGA’s Playing Ability Test (PAT).
Minority Recruitment Policy
It is the goal of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to enroll a talented student body from a variety of ethnic, economic, and geographic backgrounds. Within the context of this framework, the PGA Golf Management Program is dedicated to supporting the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) objective of recruiting qualified minorities into the PGA Golf Management Program. UMES will recruit nationally for participants in its PGA Golf Management Program.
Students with Disabilities
Students capable of success, regardless of their disabilities are admitted to the university. The faculty and staff of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore work cooperatively to assist their students in achieving their educational goals. Moreover, students with disabilities are accommodated in accordance with both federal and state laws. To receive special accommodations for a disability, the student must register with Student Disability Services before any accommodations can be granted. At the time of registering for disability services, please bring documentation to support your claimed disability. The documentation must be within three years and provided by a licensed professional with expertise in the special disability area. The PGA of America offers non-standard testing accommodations for PGA testing for those who qualify. Proper documentation is due to the PGA of America 90 days prior to testing. If you have questions concerning this policy, see the PGA Golf Management Director or the Student Services Coordinator.
Nondiscrimination Policy and Integration Statement
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is committed to providing equal opportunity through its employment practices, educational programs, admissions and the many services it offers to the community. It is the policy of the University that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status or handicap.
Transfer Policy
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore PGA Golf Management Program is designed as a freshman entry program. Transfers are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Transfer students will be required to meet all the PGA Golf Management Program graduation requirements of the University and the PGA of America. Therefore, individuals desiring to transfer into the UMES PGA Golf Management Program will be counseled regarding the time and cost effectiveness of entering into the program. This counseling is necessary due to the cohort standard of the PGA as noted below in the Cohort Requirements section. Due to the length of time, it may take to complete all requirements, it may be unadvisable for a student to consider transferring.
Retention
Retention in the PGA Golf Management Program is determined by a combination of satisfactory academic performance along with continuous progress in the PGA Golf Management Program requirements. University of Maryland Eastern Shore students in the PGA Golf Management Program enter the school as PGA Golf Management majors in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. They must maintain a 2.0 GPA through their four-and one-half years of study to graduate with a PGA Golf Management Degree.
PGA Golf Management students will also be required to make satisfactory progress toward completing PGA’s membership requirements. To graduate from the University of Maryland
Eastern Shore’s PGA Golf Management Program, students will be required to successfully accomplish the following: complete 16 months of internship; complete the appropriate PGA Golf Management Program curriculum, the required PGA GM coursework, the University general education requirements, and successfully complete all four PGA program levels; and successfully pass the PGA’s Playing Ability Test. The PGA of America reserves the right to change the PGA Golf Management Program graduation requirements as necessary.
Student progress in both the university requirements and the PGA membership requirements will be continuously monitored. Each student will meet with the PGA Golf Management staff once a semester to be advised and counseled in his or her progress toward these milestones. These advisement and counseling sessions will be documented and placed in the student’s academic folder.
Cohort Requirements
It is the policy of the PGA of America that each entering class be considered a separate cohort for purposes of progress through the PGA Golf Management Program. The intent is for each entering cohort of students to complete the PGA’s educational courses and testing as a group (i.e., each class will be expected to complete their Q Level, Level 1, 2, and 3 testing at the same time). Any exceptions to this policy shall be emergency in nature and will have to be approved in writing by the PGA Golf Management Director with a plan for rejoining the cohort schedule. The PGA shall be notified of any such exceptions. Students will be counseled in these situations and proper documentation will be placed in their academic file.
A PGA Golf Management Program student has four years as a Student Affiliate to obtain PGA membership from the first day following completion of the Qualifying Level. A semester-by-semester breakdown of UMES PGA Golf Management requirements is found in the UMES PGA Golf Management Combined Curriculum/Work Experience Roadmap provided in Table 8. It is UMES PGA Golf Management policy to offer appropriate PGA Golf Management Program tests at the completion of each level. The dates for the testing will coincide with UMES PGA Golf Management curriculum.
PGA Golf Management Program Requirements
University of Maryland Eastern Shore students in the PGA Golf Management Program must complete the following PGA of America requirements prior to graduation to receive the PGA Golf Management major:
- 16 months of internships primarily employed on a full-time basis
- Must pass the PGA’s Playing Ability Test (PAT). Students are expected to participate in at least one PAT during summer internship and agreed upon by the host professional. (This requirement must be met in order to attempt Level 3 PGA testing)
- Complete the four levels of the PGA Golf Management educational program.
- A PGA Golf Management student has 9 years to obtain PGA membership from the day following Q Level completion into the PGA Golf Management Program (subject to these policies and procedures, including the Cohort Requirements). The 9 year “clock” for students withdrawing from the PGA Golf Management program prior to graduation does not expire.
Student Progression Guide
In addition to the university curriculum, each PGA Golf Management student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore must complete the activities outlined in Tables 1-4.
Table 1: UMES PGA Golf Management Progression Guide: First Year Requirements
Table 2: UMES PGA Golf Management Progression Guide: Second Year Requirements
Table 3: UMES PGA Golf Management Progression Guide: Third Year Requirements
Table 4: UMES PGA Golf Management Progression Guide: Fourth Year Requirements
