What opportunities might be available to me with a degree in rural Studies?
Rural Studies is an interdisciplinary degree, firmly grounded in the Liberal Arts. This excellent combination gives you the opportunity and flexibility to shape your education to your own interests and career goals. Your future may lie in any of the following areas: graduate study; state, local, or federal government; NGOs; community, civic, or regional development authorities or programs; auxiliary health care fields, community action organization; community arts and historical projects; not-for-profit agencies—and so many more! As you go through your program of study, the full resources of ABAC will be available to you through internships, opportunities for networking, and making important contacts through your academic work.
Whom do I contact for information?
Each concentration is assigned to one of the academic Schools at ABAC, and the Dean of the School is an important first source for information
Social and Community Affairs, Dr. Darby Sewell, Dean of the School of Human Sciences; dsewell@abac.edu
Business and Economic Development, Dean of the School of Business; jgibbs@abac.edu
Arts & Culture or Writing &Communication, Dr. Bobbie Robinson, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts; brobinson@abac.edu
Also, another excellent source of information is one of the four Academic Support Counselors, ASCs, who works with Rural Studies Rebecca Cofer, rcofer@abac.edu. Any of the ASCs is a great source of information about practicially anything you have questions about at the College.
What are the admissions criteria?
Students seeking to enter the Rural Studies program should consult with the Dean of the appropriate School, and must have a 2.5 GPA and approximately 42 hours of collegiate credit. Transfer students must meet transfer requirements for the College, which may differ from requirements for admission to the Bachelor program. Acceptance to ABAC does not guarantee acceptance into the Rural Studies program.
What about internship opportunities? In 2010, we had interns placed at
The Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton
The US Senate, with Senator Saxby Chambliss
A city development authority in Quitman
A medical office in Fitzgerald
A local real estate office that specializes in rural land sales
A middle Georgia GPS mapping agency
The Tifton Farmers Market
The Arts Council in Ashburn
New internship opportunities are becoming available everyday. Or you can always craft your own internship with guidance from the Dean associated with your Rural Studies concentration.
Students usually complete internships during the summer between the junior and senior years, but other options are available as well. We’ll help you with an internship that fits your timetable.
What is the difference between the BS and the BA in Rural Studies?
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) requires through the 4th course in a foreign language. If you had two years of language in high school, you will need to take 3 courses. We have a great plan that allows you to pick up all 3 within the same academic year. Of course, if you had more than 2 courses in high school, you might be able to test out of an extra course.
Students who plan to pursue a traditional Master of Arts (MA) after receiving a degree sometimes want to opt for the BA in order to have met the language requirement for graduate school and received the credit as part of the undergraduate curriculum.
How will Rural Studies classes be different from core curriculum classes? When you get to your Rural Studies classes, you will be a Junior—or very close—so the Rural Studies classes will be in your major. That creates a pleasant environment in which everyone in the room is interested in the same thing you are! Classes are smaller, most are more focused and hands-on than traditional classes. Also, you have the good fortune to hear many presentations from experts in the field who can serve as contacts for internships and maybe even employment options in future. You will know and have a good relationship with your classmates because of the program size and because the students in the degree program quite naturally create a close and supportive community.
How many total hours make up the program? As with all baccalaureate programs, the Rural Studies degree requires 120 credit hours—60 hours at the lower division and 60 hours of upper division course work. As a junior and senior, you will take a common group of classes with all Rural Studies majors, you will take a minimum of 5 courses in your concentration—more if you like, and then some electives. And, of course, you have an internship—3 to 9 hours depending on the internship.
Does financial aid cover the Rural Studies degree? Yes. As with all matters of financial aid, be sure to work closely with the Financial Aid Office. They are always your best source of information.
If I get a degree in Rural Studies, can I go to graduate school in a different discipline? Sure. Once you identify a graduate program, you will need to work with one of that graduate school’s advisors and your ABAC advisor to craft just the right program of study. If you haven’t chosen a program, but you might be interested in graduate school or you want to explore some options, Rebecca Cofer or Derek Sutton, our SDSs, will help you find your fit.
Can I be a public school teacher with this degree? Rural Studies in NOT a teacher preparation degree.
