I have heard of the courses before. Early in my blog experience I was approached about teaching those courses. At the time it seemed interesting, but I was such a newbie that I thought it ludicris that I would teach the course.

I haven't heard about it since.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure

Most of your county extensions offer master gardener classes at reduced cost or even free. While not a square foot class, it would definitely help in gardening. I do not see what could be taught in the class that can't be learned here or through experience.

I would love a master gardener course but I live up in Canada and county extensions don't exist. Some Universities and community colleges offer 2-3 year diploma or degree landscaping/horticulture courses with the intent of making you into an urban greenskeeper, botanist or something else, but this is not what I am looking for. I also live out in the country so I would like something by correspondence or distance learning.

Rita, I know that OSU is offering a master gardeners course through their extension online. I think part of the requirement to get the mg is volunteer time, but West Coasters are pretty flexible. If you sent them a note, they just might let you sit in on the online course.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/