Agriculture Degree

The agriculture program at Arizona Western College prepares students to enter the farming, ranching, and agricultural business by combining research and hand-on training. Utilizing a combination of tools and knowledge, the program is designed to enhance and sustain human life by cultivating animals, plants, and other forms of food for basic consumption or for the creation of biofuels and drugs. Program courses include: basic animal care and husbandry, soil science and conservation, and plant care and cultivation. Get more details below including other Arizona colleges that offer agriculture degrees.

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Arizona Western College

University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ

About
Arizona Western College, located in Yuma, Arizona, was founded in 1963 to serve residents in its service area by providing a quality education and service. The school has an annual enrollment of nearly 8000 students per year. AWC is a publicly funded two year institution that is constantly reviewing and upgrading its services and facilities to ensure that the best education may be provided. This is furthered through program reviews that ensure the relevance and modern state of each program, updating them as necessary in order to remain current.

Academics
Arizona Western College offers a large number of programs resulting in either a certificate or degree. These programs allow students to pursue academic transfer or career training in a field that best suits their future goals. Academic transfer programs provide students with a curriculum that completes the first two years of a four year education and once completed, allows students to apply for transfer at a four year institution, continuing their education and earn their bachelor's degree. Four year institutions will have varying transfer requirements, and as such it is recommended students meet with a counselor to develop a curriculum that best assists in transfer to a student's desired school or schools.

Students choosing to study in a career program will develop the skills and abilities necessary through a combination of classroom and practical courses that allow for entry into the workforce as professionals. Such programs result in a certificate or associate degree, demonstrating competency to potential employers by having completed the necessary education. Programs take between one and two years to complete, and graduates may seek employment immediately after graduation. Such are usually reflective of the needs of the community and are often for high demand fields.

Programs offered at AWC include:

• Business Administration
• Environmental Science
• History
• Paralegal Studies
• Welding Technology

Admissions and Financial Aid
As an open enrollment institution, any student who submits a completed application and meets the minimum requirements for admission may enroll at Arizona Western College. Students will provide transcripts and to take a placement exam for general education courses. New students are encouraged to participate in student orientation and meet with a counselor to develop a student education plan. Registration for courses takes place prior to the start of each semester, with tuition due shortly thereafter.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must obtain a federal PIN and submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which will be used to determine financial need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year. Students may be asked to provide additional financial information to ensure that the FAFSA is accurate prior to the disbursement of funds. Students may also apply for external scholarships offered by various sources that are awarded for a variety of reasons.

Students Enrolled in the Agriculture Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Arizona Western College has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Animal Scientists

Description

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, animal scientists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.3% from 2014 to 2024

Food Scientists and Technologists

Description

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, food scientists and technologists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5% from 2014 to 2024

Soil and Plant Scientists

Description

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, soil and plant scientists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.7% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
  • Total Employment: 140
  • Average Hourly Rate: $31.48
  • Average Annual Salary: $65480

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).