The Michigan State University American-Sino Turfgrass Higher Education Program (ASTEP) at a Glance.

In 2003, Michigan State University signed an agreement of cooperation in higher education in turfgrass management with four Chinese agricultural universities. Students enrolled in this Michigan State University American-Sino Turfgrass Higher Education Program (ASTEP) have the opportunity to obtain Bachelor of Science degrees from MSU and from their Chinese universities. Qualified ASTEP students are enrolled by MSU as off-campus transfer students beginning their junior year. Junior and senior students take MSU turf classes in China and perform an internship in the U.S. in the Fall semester of their senior year. During the 2008-09 academic year 13 MSU faculty members traveled to China to teach ASTEP students. Including Fall 2009 semester, 119 Chinese students traveled to the U.S. for internships. Most ASTEP students perform golf course internships while a smaller number of students conduct university-based research internships. As an MSU strategic educational program fostered at the international level, ASTEP is preparing the first generation of native Chinese turfgrass managers and golf course superintendents for China. Program curriculum, academic schedule, teaching method, internship placement, etc. will be discussed as well as challenges ASTEP faces.