Benefits and Process of Obtaining CPSS Designation Frank Gibbs Resource Soil Scientist-NRCS Andy Kleinschmidt Ohio State University Extension

Objectives Benefits of designation as a Certified Professional Soil Scientist Process of becoming Certified

Benefits of designation as a Certified Professional Soil Scientist

Process of becoming Certified

Background Not a licensing program, but a voluntary program. The certification program sets the minimum standards of skills, knowledge and conduct. If your education, experience or career is involved with soil science I strongly encourage you to consider obtaining certification.

Not a licensing program, but a voluntary program.

The certification program sets the minimum standards of skills, knowledge and conduct.

If your education, experience or career is involved with soil science I strongly encourage you to consider obtaining certification.

Benefits Well, you get to work closely with soil. You will be able to: Work with biosolid application Determine soil capacity for wastewater disposal Full gambit of agricultural/environmental applications (e.g. remediation)

Well, you get to work closely with soil.

You will be able to:

Work with biosolid application

Determine soil capacity for wastewater disposal

Full gambit of agricultural/environmental applications (e.g. remediation)

Benefits (con’t) Networking, you’ll expand your professional network (your network is your net worth) Career opportunities open up at private-sector consulting, government, etc. Self-employment as a private consultant (not just for household septic systems)

Networking, you’ll expand your professional network (your network is your net worth)

Career opportunities open up at private-sector consulting, government, etc.

Self-employment as a private consultant (not just for household septic systems)

Process Well, I hope you are excited about the opportunities! Let’s discuss the process There are three main areas to address Education Requirements (B.S. is minimum) Experience Requirements Demonstrate Knowledge (exam)

Well, I hope you are excited about the opportunities!

Let’s discuss the process

There are three main areas to address

Education Requirements (B.S. is minimum)

Experience Requirements

Demonstrate Knowledge (exam)

Education Requirements I concede that obtaining the education requirements is likely the #1 issue holding most people from jumping into this certification The education requirements are stringent, but necessary. I liken this certification to that of a PE or PG. Educ. requirements important, because you will be considered the soil expert once certified.

I concede that obtaining the education requirements is likely the #1 issue holding most people from jumping into this certification

The education requirements are stringent, but necessary.

I liken this certification to that of a PE or PG.

Educ. requirements important, because you will be considered the soil expert once certified.

Education requirements (con’t) There are two sections: “Professional Core” and “Supporting Core” I’ll discuss the Supporting Core first, since you likely have taken some of these courses Supporting Core Math, chemistry, physics, stats, communication, econ, engineering A few of these are basic classes (comm, math, econ) that many college grads have Generally need 3.0 semester hours or 5.0 quarter hours in each of these courses Don’t trust your memory! Look at your official university transcript. You may have taken more of these than you thought.

There are two sections: “Professional Core” and “Supporting Core”

I’ll discuss the Supporting Core first, since you likely have taken some of these courses

Supporting Core

Math, chemistry, physics, stats, communication, econ, engineering

A few of these are basic classes (comm, math, econ) that many college grads have

Generally need 3.0 semester hours or 5.0 quarter hours in each of these courses

Don’t trust your memory! Look at your official university transcript. You may have taken more of these than you thought.

Education requirements (con’t) “ Professional core” – unless you were an agronomy or soil science major you are severely lacking here. BUT DON’T BE DISCOURAGED!!!! Must have 15.0 semester hours of soil science (23.0 quarter hours) Must have 6.0 semester hours of botany and soil biology (9.0 quarter hours) Includes agronomy, horticulture science, forestry, microbiology, biology, plant physiology These can be BASIC 100- or 200-level courses. Does not have to be high level or graduate courses!!!!!

“ Professional core” – unless you were an agronomy or soil science major you are severely lacking here.

BUT DON’T BE DISCOURAGED!!!!

Must have 15.0 semester hours of soil science (23.0 quarter hours)

Must have 6.0 semester hours of botany and soil biology (9.0 quarter hours)

Includes agronomy, horticulture science, forestry, microbiology, biology, plant physiology

These can be BASIC 100- or 200-level courses. Does not have to be high level or graduate courses!!!!!

Education requirements (con’t) Where to go to get these classes The certification requirement is loose on where you can obtain your class work “…any major U.S. or Canadian institution…” Where there is a will, there is a way ->

Where to go to get these classes

The certification requirement is loose on where you can obtain your class work “…any major U.S. or Canadian institution…”

Where there is a will, there is a way ->

Again, where there’s a will… ISU online M.S. agronomy course 15 semester hours of SOIL SCIENCE! (with prereq’s) 10 semester hours of botany/soil biology Cost: DOES NOT CHARGE OUT OF STATE TUITION Don’t have to quit your job – all online and flexible You’ll need to pick up only a few prereq’s in intro soil science (very basic) As near as I can tell, this is the MOST FLEXIBLE program available Disclosure: I am an ISU graduate (M.S. ISU ’97) but I am in no way tied to this program.

ISU online M.S. agronomy course

15 semester hours of SOIL SCIENCE! (with prereq’s)

10 semester hours of botany/soil biology

Cost: DOES NOT CHARGE OUT OF STATE TUITION

Don’t have to quit your job – all online and flexible

You’ll need to pick up only a few prereq’s in intro soil science (very basic)

As near as I can tell, this is the MOST FLEXIBLE program available

Disclosure: I am an ISU graduate (M.S. ISU ’97) but I am in no way tied to this program.

Don’t overlook other institutions! There is no reason you cannot pick up the ‘Supporting Core’ courses (remember, these are basic classes that deal with math, physics, econ, etc) at a local accredited community college or outreach of a major institution. Even a few of your “Professional Core” classes may be picked up at a local community college.

There is no reason you cannot pick up the ‘Supporting Core’ courses (remember, these are basic classes that deal with math, physics, econ, etc) at a local accredited community college or outreach of a major institution.

Even a few of your “Professional Core” classes may be picked up at a local community college.

Experience/Knowledge I spent most of my time discussing education requirements because that is the major hurdle. The other two components are Experience and Knowledge Experience: 5 yrs with B.S. degree; 3 yrs with M.S. (possible mentoring program) Knowledge: take and pass a Fundamentals Exam and Professional Practice exam

I spent most of my time discussing education requirements because that is the major hurdle.

The other two components are Experience and Knowledge

Experience: 5 yrs with B.S. degree; 3 yrs with M.S. (possible mentoring program)

Knowledge: take and pass a Fundamentals Exam and Professional Practice exam

Resources for you ISU M.S. Agronomy http:// masters.agron.iastate.edu / Official site of Certified Professional Soil Scientists https://www.soils.org/certifications/cpss-cpsc My email [email_address]

ISU M.S. Agronomy

http:// masters.agron.iastate.edu /

Official site of Certified Professional Soil Scientists

https://www.soils.org/certifications/cpss-cpsc

My email

[email_address]