Students who enroll in these certificate programs are not required to have the "B" average in high school to receive the HOPE Scholarship. They must be Georgia residents. ABAC is now accepting applications for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 19.
Eleven new certificate programs will be offered through ABAC's Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources, including the following: Agricultural Machinery Technician, Children and Family Services, General Animal Industry Management, General Family and Consumer Sciences, Horse Operation Management, Interior Design, Landscape Maintenance Technician, Pesticide Application Technician, Precision Agriculture Technician, Soil Resources Technician, and Turfgrass Equipment Technician.
ABAC also offers certificate programs in Information Technology and Management and Marketing. Information Technology students might be able to move from the certificate program into the associate degree program and then into the four-year degree in Information Technology now available from Macon State College on the ABAC campus. Students could possibly obtain the entire four-year degree without ever leaving the ABAC campus.
Dr. Larry Allen, Chair of ABAC's Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources, said the certificate programs will offer new opportunities to receive an education in specific program areas.
"The programs are two semesters in length and will prepare the graduates for employment in one year," Allen said. "The certificates were designed so that an individual who earns a certificate may 'bridge' into an associate degree program with minimal course loss. In addition, the certificate programs offer admission and educational opportunities at ABAC for those students who do not meet regular admission requirements."
The Agricultural Machinery Technician certificate will prepare students to perform both preventive and corrective maintenance on a variety of agricultural equipment. Students who complete the Children and Family Services program will learn basic principles of group management of infants and preschoolers. The General Animal Industry Management certificate will prepare students for the daily management and operation of a beef/dairy cattle operation.
Individuals who complete the General Family and Consumer Sciences certificate program will have a comprehensive understanding of all content areas of family and consumer sciences, including personal income management, garment care and construction, selection and care of textiles used in home furnishings and fashion, basic principles of nutrition, and processes and adjustments of contemporary marriage and family life.
The Horse Operation Management certificate will prepare students for the daily management and operation of an equine facility. Individuals who complete the Interior Design certificate will learn and develop skills such as personal income management, garment care and construction, selection and care of textiles used in home furnishings and fashion, and principles of design. The Landscape Maintenance Technician certificate will enable students to understand and maintain landscapes and grounds in a professional manner. Individuals completing the Pesticide Application Technician certificate will learn how to perform basic calculations needed in various aspects of agriculture, understand basic pest control concepts, identify common pests in the Southeast, and calibrate pesticide application equipment. Individuals completing the Precision Agriculture Technician certificate will have the ability to utilize the latest technology for crop production. The Soil Resources Technician certificate will prepare students to conduct basic field techniques for collecting soil samples, testing soil reaction, and identifying different soil types. Individuals completing the Turfgrass Equipment Technician certificate will be able to understand and maintain turfgrass equipment used in fine turf management.
"These programs will allow ABAC to serve a group of Georgia citizens that we have not had the opportunity to serve," Allen said. "The certificate programs will allow ABAC to prepare graduates for gainful employment in a relatively short period of time--only one year. The programs are a win-win situation for ABAC. We can now serve a new group of students and various industries by preparing capable certificate graduates."
For additional information, contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-733-3653.
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