The Certificate of Completion Forest Technology can be completed within one year and is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the forestry field in supervised positions such as forester aides, surveyor assistant, measurement technician, and field mapping aide.

The forestry field is projected to have many career opportunities coming up in the next decade as many forestry and natural resources professionals retire in the next few years. Students who enjoy working outdoors and want to have a career that focuses on managing our valuable forest lands to conserve and protect resources as well as produce valuable products for society should consider this degree.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 46 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. One course must be completed at Southwestern before the Certificate of Completion is awarded.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Discuss important forest management challenges and potential solutions.
• Discuss characteristics of regional forests, field techniques, and management practices.
• Demonstrate basic skills in forest surveying, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and spreadsheet applications.

Program Notes

Students who are receiving Financial Aid Funds and wishing to receive the Forest Technology Certificate, in addition to the AS Forestry Emphasis, will need to petition for a dual major.

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree. For more information on placement methods used, visit our college placement policy here.

Program Guide

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
ENV235	Introduction to Soil Science	4
F111	Introduction to Forestry	3
GEOG265	Intro to Geographical Info Systems	4
WR115	Fundamentals of Report Writing	4
	Credits	15
Winter
CIS125S	Spreadsheet Applications	3
F222A	Elementary Forest Surveying	4
F280	CWE: Forestry	4
MTH80	Technical Mathematics I 2	4
	Credits	15
Spring
F241	Dendrology	5
F250	Forest Biology 5	4
F251	Recreation Resource Management	4
BA285	Human Relations in Organizations 3	3
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	46

1	A higher writing may be substituted excluding WR241, WR242, WR243, or WR250.
2	MTH60 or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH80.
3	BA110, BA120, BA285, PSY100, PSY201, PSY202, PSY203, will satisfy this requirement.
4	Call 541-888-7405 to schedule with Internship Coordinator one month prior to term. FE209 may be substituted.
5	NR260 may be substituted. NR260 is only offered in Spring term. Talk to your advisor for details.
*	All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements.