Agriculture Degree

The agriculture program at West Hills College – Coalinga 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 California colleges that offer agriculture degrees.

West Hills College – Coalinga

1271 North Main Street, Salinas, CA

West Hills College – Coalinga is located in Coalinga, California.  Coalinga is one of two campuses that together form West Hills College. The Coalinga campus was founded in 1932 to serve residents of the San Joaquin Valley. Throughout its history, the Coalinga campus has offered educational and vocational opportunities, and along with the Lemoore campus, has expanded1 as necessary to ensure community needs are met.

Academics

WHC Coalinga offers more programs than the Lemoore campus. The programs offered result in associate degrees or certificates. As a community college, WHC Coalinga offers transfer opportunities to four year institutions or prepare for a career through a vocational program.

Programs offered include:

• Early Childhood Education
• Humanities
• Liberal Arts
• Psychology
• Business Administration

Admissions and Financial Aid

To attend WHC Coalinga, students must satisfy one of the following criteria:

• High School Graduate
• GED or Equivalent
• 18 Years Old
• Principal Recommendation and Parental Permission (If a High School Student)

If a student satisfies any of the above criteria, he or she will be able to enroll by completing the application and paying any associated costs. Financial aid is available to eligible students. Eligibility is determined by obtaining a Federal PIN and submitting a completed Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The subsequent student aid report (SAR) will be used to determine which financial aid awards one qualifies for.

Athletics

The Coalinga campus of West Hills College offers sports programs in football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and softball.

Students Enrolled in the Agriculture Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. West Hills College – Coalinga has offered the following programs for students:

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• 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

• Salinas, CA
  • Total Employment: 80
  • Average Hourly Rate: $26.54
  • Average Annual Salary: $55200

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).