Kristen Govoni Ph.D., Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and Director, Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture confers Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Animal Science, Plant Science, and Urban Forestry and Arboriculture. This two-year program of technical and applied education is only available at the Storrs campus. The School was established in 1941 by the University of Connecticut through a bequest from Mr. Ratcliffe Hicks of Tolland, Connecticut.

Students include recent high school graduates as well as adults who are interested in continuing education or a career change. Course work offers a balance between technical and theoretical aspects of each subject with emphasis on hands-on learning.

Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture graduates have the skills and knowledge to enter challenging and exciting careers. They are highly qualified for competitive positions and often manage or own businesses and production operations. Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture graduates can also continue their education and pursue baccalaureate or higher degrees.

Scholarships

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture offers scholarships for qualified individuals entering the two-year program. Selected applicants receive up to $1,500 toward educational expenses in their first semester. Based on academic performance, scholarships may be renewed for three additional semesters.

Incoming students are automatically reviewed for scholarships prior to entering the program. Selection is based on academic and career-related accomplishments, and potential for continued success.

Many scholarships in Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources are available to Ratcliffe Hicks students, for more information please see: grow.uconn.edu.

Majors

Admission Requirements

Admission is open to qualified graduates of approved secondary schools. For required courses and units, please refer to the Admission section of this Catalog. Foreign language study is not required for admission into the two-year program; college preparatory level courses are recommended, but not required.

Applicants follow the same process as other undergraduate programs at UConn. Applicants submit the Common Application or the UConn Admission Application, high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and personal essay, which is included in the application. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize their interest, experience, and career goals when completing the essay and activities sections of the application. Applicants with prior post-secondary course work must submit official college transcripts. Applicants who are not graduates of a secondary school must present a copy of a State Equivalency Diploma and a personal statement.

Students from some New England states may be eligible to enroll in the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture at a reduced tuition rate through the New England Regional Student Program. Eligibility for Associate degree programs in Animal Science, Plant Science, and in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture are described in the Admissions section of this Catalog.

Non-Degree Study

Individuals interested in obtaining specific skills and knowledge relating to the many diverse areas of plant, forestry, and animal science may also register for Ratcliffe Hicks courses as non-degree students. Non-degree students do not have to apply for formal admission to the University.

Associate Degree Curricula

Ratcliffe Hicks General Education Criteria

General Education Requirements for Ratcliffe Hicks students differ from University General Education Requirements for baccalaureate students.

¹

Other Alternatives: Students may substitute COMM 1100 Principles of Public Speaking; NUSC 1167 Food, Culture and Society; SPSS 1125  for the Social Sciences requirement.

Science and computer technology requirements for the A.A.S. degree are incorporated into courses required for the major.

Majors

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture students major in Plant Science, Animal Science, or Urban Forestry and Arboriculture.

Plant Science majors may concentrate in ornamental horticulture, turfgrass management, or sustainable crop production. Graduates pursue careers in golf course management, sports turf management, floriculture, landscape and grounds maintenance, greenhouse and garden center operations, nursery management, interiorscaping, park and land management, public horticulture or various positions within the entire food crop production chain from field to fork.

Animal science majors focus on equine studies or production agriculture, including both dairy and livestock. Graduates seek positions in the horse industry, production enterprises, animal health, breeding and genetics, nutrition, meat science and food handling, or related industries.

Urban Forestry and Arboriculture majors focus on the care and maintenance of individual trees and urban forest tracts near buildings, roads, and other developments. This major provides students with needed vocational skills to pursue a career in arboriculture and urban forest management, including the knowledge required to sit for the CT Arborist license exam.

Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors are assigned to students upon entry into the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture according to a student’s major and area of special interest. Advisors assist students in the selection of appropriate courses and help them develop an individualized program that will meet educational and career goals. The Ratcliffe Hicks Director’s Office and Academic Advisory Center provide additional support to faculty advisors and students.

Registration

Ratcliffe Hicks students are restricted primarily to Ratcliffe Hicks courses, numbered 100-999. Ratcliffe Hicks students may register for 1000-level courses listed in the “Associate Degree Requirements” section below.

Ratcliffe Hicks students must have approval of the advisor and Director to register for 1000-level courses not listed below. Ratcliffe Hicks students may not register for 2000-level or above courses or skill code courses (W, Q, E) unless approved by the Director. Inappropriate registration may result in administrative changes to a student’s schedule or credit restrictions toward graduation requirements.

Pass/Fail

Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture students who have earned at least 24 credits and are not on academic notice may place a course, for no more than four credits, on Pass/Fail. Credits earned from a Pass/Fail course may be used toward the total credit requirement for the Associate of Applied Science degree, but cannot be used to meet any other graduation requirement.

Supplementary Scholastic Standards

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture follows the same academic regulations and procedures regarding scholastic standards and academic notice as all other schools and colleges of the University except:

Associate Degree Requirements

Upon recommendation of the faculty, the degree of Associate of Applied Science is awarded by vote of the Board of Trustees to students who have met the following requirements:

1. earned a total of 60 degree credits;
2. earned at least a 2.0 grade point average for the total number of calculable credits for which they have registered;
3. passed all courses required by the faculty of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture; and
4. earned at least 40 credits at the University of Connecticut in Ratcliffe Hicks courses numbered 100-999. Transfer students may be eligible for an exception with approval of the Director.

All students must pass the following courses to earn the Associate of Applied Science Degree. No single course can be used to satisfy more than one requirement.

Supplemental Information

Transfer to Four-Year Program

Approximately 60 percent of Ratcliffe Hicks graduates continue their education to earn baccalaureate or higher degrees. Students must complete the A.A.S. program to transfer into the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources or other baccalaureate programs at the University. Students should contact the Ratcliffe Hicks Director’s Office to obtain an application and verify procedures. The Ratcliffe Hicks School will review applications for transfer and submit recommendations to the Transfer Admissions Office and the Registrar’s Office for final decisions. Admission decisions will be based primarily on courses completed in the School and earned grade point average (minimum 2.7). Students transferring to a baccalaureate program at the University of Connecticut will receive transfer credit for courses based on the following criteria:

Field Trips and Transportation Costs

Many courses require off-campus field trips. Students should budget money for participation.

University Fees and Expenses

For fees and expenses, see statement under Undergraduate Fees and Expenses.

Agricultural and Resource Economics (SARE)

Animal Science (SAAS)

Natural Resources and the Environment (SANR)

Pathobiology (SAPB)

Plant Science (SAPL)