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The first and only 2-year aquaculture degree program in the state of Maine is accepting applications for students to start in September.
Developed with funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the Washington County Community College (WCCC) Aquaculture Technology Program is grounded in numerous industry partnerships.
The program includes ten new aquaculture-specific courses covering topics that range from exploring aquaculture careers to farm site selection, aquatic farming practices, and marine biosecurity. The courses are designed with accessibility in mind: much of the content is online, while some hands-on lessons are taught in intensive, skills-development lab sections. Many classes meet in the evening to accommodate non-traditional students with day jobs.
There are various pathways for students entering the program; students can take individual courses to further their professional development, graduate after 1-year with a Workforce Training Certificate, or graduate after 2-years with an Associate in Applied Science degree.
After completion of the Associate in Applied Science degree, students can transfer into 4-year programs, or take advantage of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities with aquaculture employers. Both pre-apprentices and apprentices get real-world, hands-on exposure and experience with Maine’s aquaculture employers.
Financial aid and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
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