Vincennes Tailors Program For Agribusiness
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowVincennes University has unveiled a new concentration focusing on agribusiness. The program is geared toward graduates with an associate's degree who are looking to earn a bachelor's degree. July 10, 2013
News Release
VINCENNES, Ind. – Area agribusiness professionals will benefit from the introduction of a new academic concentration at Vincennes University.
“The Agribusiness Concentration within our Technology baccalaureate degree program is a nice fit for those who can't go away and get a bachelor's degree but who need the degree to get promoted, gain job security, or to get a new job,” said Susan Brocksmith, program coordinator for the Agribusiness Concentration.
Brocksmith said the primary beneficiaries of the new concentration are agribusiness professionals in the greater Vincennes area who already hold an associate degree. “Many of these graduates have reached that level in their career where they can't get another promotion to achieve a higher pay level because they don't have a bachelor's degree. They may also need a bachelor's degree to apply for a different job,” Brocksmith said.
Agribusiness accounts for one in six U.S. jobs and nearly one-fifth of the U.S. gross national product. Beyond its wide scope, it is a maturing industry with lots of retirements on the horizon, making employment and promotion opportunities abundant.
“I have had several calls about openings for Extension jobs, Soil and Water Conservation District jobs, Natural Resources Conservation Services jobs – and these positions require a bachelor's degree,” Brocksmith said.
Examples of private sector jobs include farm and livestock managers, sales representatives, grain specialists, production managers, seed representatives, custom applicators, and pesticide professionals.
“This new concentration will help our graduates as they continue their careers and look to their future,” Brocksmith said.
Designed for persons who already have an associate degree, the Agribusiness Concentration provides courses that allow persons to take night classes leading to a VU Technology baccalaureate degree. The degree can be achieved within two years.
Examples of courses include Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management, Total Quality Management, and Agribusiness Public Policy Issues.
“Ours is not a hard science curriculum since our degree is tilted toward business with the added benefit of gaining an understanding of the agriculture side. We have seen great interest from our alumni,” Brocksmith said.
For more information about VU's Agribusiness Concentration, contact Brocksmith at sbrocksmith@vinu.edu or by phone at 812-888-5718.
Information is also available at www.vinu.edu/agribusiness.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY – Indiana's First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as Indianapolis and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor's degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and science, and special education/elementary education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 28 other states, and 30 countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana's first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.
Source: Vincennes University