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Forestry Technology

Forestry Technology at
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (DSLCC)

A One of a Kind Program

Purpose

This program, the only one of its kind in Virginia, is designed for persons who seek employment in forestry occupations. Students use industry-standard equipment and gain practical experience through summer internships across the country with organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry and private forestry employers.

Forestry and forest-related industries are vital to the economy of Virginia, where 60 percent of the total land area is forested. The use of these resources by forest industries and land management agencies requires forest technicians trained in forest management, protection, timber harvesting and utilization. Graduates of the program will be qualified for positions in forestry, urban tree care and forest products. This program is recognized nationally by the Society of American Foresters.

Admission Requirements

Students who meet the admission requirements to the College are eligible for enrollment into the program. Students are expected to be proficient in basic English, mathematics and reading. Appropriate developmental courses are available for those who need to improve proficiency in these areas.

In addition to the general admission requirements for the College, entry into the program requires:

• completion of one unit of high school algebra
• completion of one unit of high school geometry or its equivalent
• one unit of biology is helpful but not required

Students whose records or test scores indicate a need for prerequisite skills courses will be placed in these courses until such deficiencies are remediated. Any student who needs prerequisite mathematics courses should anticipate a three-year program of study.

This program serves residents throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and other states.  Students may complete preliminary general education studies at another Virginia community college and transfer to DSLCC to complete the forestry courses needed for the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree. Two years at DSLCC will still be necessary to complete the forestry courses.

Transfer into the DSLCC forestry technology program necessitates close coordination of required courses or their equivalent with the DSLCC academic/forestry advisors. To enter the DSLCC forestry technology program, admission should be requested in the Fall semester of the student's first year at his/her local community college. Students who wish to transfer should contact the program advisor and the Assistant Coordinator for Student Success.

Program Requirements

The first year of the forestry technology curriculum provides general education as well as basic forestry courses.

During the summer between the first and second years of study, students are required to complete cooperative (Co-op) experience of approximately 225 clock hours of paid work/field experience or 180 hours of volunteer experience. The College will assist with placement; however, the student is ultimately responsible for locating and retaining the position as a volunteer or paid employee. The employment must be approved prior to beginning the assignment.

Students must achieve an overall 2.0 GPA ("C" average) in the required curriculum courses to be awarded a degree. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be awarded the A.A.S in Forestry Technology.

Suggested Course Schedule