February 17, 2017 - Beginning in fall 2017, Panola College will offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Level 1 certificate in Ranch and Land Management. Students who wish to pursue an advanced degree beyond the AAS may transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University to work toward a bachelor of applied arts and sciences degree.
Dr. Joe Shannon, Vice President for Instruction, said the new degree and certificate will benefit Panola College students who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of agricultural productivity and land stewardship.
“We have worked diligently for more than a year to create this new opportunity for our students,” he said.
An advisory board worked with Panola College to design and implement the new degree program. Board members include Lee Dudley, Texas A&M Agri-Life; Chris Adams, Bird & Crawford Forestry; Lee Anderson, Texas Forest Service; Dr. John Ray; Ken Smith, Hancock Forestry; Tim L. Holland, Certified Forester; Stephen A. McInnis, Southern Power Company; Joe Shaw, Southeast Recruiter-Trainer, Davey Tree Company; Ron Hufford, Director, Texas Forestry Association; Kevin Schmidt, Owner, Doodley Dee’s Farms; Mike Fox, Member, Cattleman’s Association; Jack Dillard; Cody Bush; and James Houser, Vice President, Forest Resources Management.
The AAS degree and certificate are designed to promote conservation, management, maintenance and productivity of farm and ranch land, with emphasis on livestock grazing, habitat, water, recreation, minerals, and agricultural uses.
Courses approved for the degree include ranch and land management construction skills, introduction to mechanical engines, animal science, basic electrical theory, introduction to welding, basic hydraulics, forage and pasture management, beef cattle production, soil science, wild pig management and control, management and biology of whitetail deer, pond construction and management, and entomology.
In addition, to earn the AAS degree students will complete core curriculum courses in basic academic areas.
Students who complete the AAS at Panola will be able to transfer those credits to Stephen F. Austin State University to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Agricultural Technology. This partnership with SFASU also applies to students in Panola College’s energy technology disciplines.
Previously, technical coursework counted toward associate degrees completed at Panola College. With approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, technical coursework toward associate of applied science degrees in these areas of specialization are now counted as course credit for the BAAS degree at SFASU.
“Our students and regional employers have expressed a need for bachelor’s degree options for technical fields. We are proud to have been able to meet this need through a partnership with SFA, the university of choice for most of our students,” Dr. Shannon says.
For more information, contact Natalie Oswalt at Panola College, email noswalt@panola.edu or call 936-591-9075.
