Mineral Area College (Park Hills, Missouri) offers a wide range of career-focused Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs and certificate programs through its career and technical education offerings, as detailed in the Missouri Career Education Program Directory (dated May 19, 2025).

Program Categories

These programs fall into several key areas:

• Agricultural Education — AAS and/or certificates in agricultural business/management and applied horticulture.
• Business Education — AAS and certificates in administrative/secretarial science, computer programming, computer systems networking/telecommunications, and medical administrative assisting. Some logistics/supply chain options appear in certificates.
• Marketing Education — AAS and certificates in general business/commerce.
• Health Sciences — Numerous AAS degrees in fields like clinical/medical laboratory technology, paramedic, health information technology, radiologic technology, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, and registered nursing. Certificates include paramedic, licensed practical nursing, nursing assistant, and pharmacy technician.
• Occupational Family Consumer Sciences & Human Services — AAS and certificates in child care/support services management, plus a certificate in culinary arts/chef training.
• Skilled Technical Sciences — The broadest category, with AAS degrees in areas such as autobody/collision repair, automobile mechanics, carpentry, civil/construction engineering technology, concrete finishing, construction trades (general), criminal justice/police science, drafting/design, electrical/electronic engineering technology, electrician, energy management, fire science, glazier, graphic/printing production, HVAC/refrigeration maintenance, industrial mechanics/maintenance, ironworking, machine tool technology/machinist, manufacturing engineering technology, masonry, occupational safety/health, painting, pipefitting/sprinkler fitting, plumbing, radio/TV broadcasting technology, sheet metal working, and welding. Certificates cover most of these plus hydraulics/fluid power, industrial technology, and others.

Programs emphasize practical, job-ready skills, with many articulated through partnerships with area career/technology centers. General education components are included in AAS degrees, and students must meet requirements like minimum GPA (typically 2.0), residency credits (often 15 hours at Mineral Area College), and assessments/interviews for graduation.

Highlight: Carpentry Program

The directory lists an AAS in Carpentry/Carpenter (CIP code 46.0201) under Skilled Technical Sciences.

This corresponds to Mineral Area College’s Construction/Building Technology program, which centers on carpentry fundamentals for residential and light-commercial construction. It prepares students for high-demand entry-level roles in a field with strong job growth (over 400,000 openings projected nationwide).

Degrees Offered

• One-year Certificate (36–41 credit hours): Focuses on core technical skills.
• Two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree (64–70 credit hours): Adds general education courses (communications, math, science, social sciences, computer literacy) and electives/internships.

Key Features

• Hands-on training in a modern 6,500-square-foot shop facility.
• Skills covered: Shop/job site safety, blueprint reading and layout, material/cost estimation, hand and power tools, floor/wall/roof framing, concrete formwork, exterior/interior finishes, roofing, basic plumbing, and industry fundamentals (e.g., codes, employability, management).
• Core courses include Construction Carpentry I & II, Blueprint Reading & Layout, Materials & Cost Estimation, Concrete and Forms, Floor/Wall Layout & Framing, Roofing Skills, Exterior/Interior Finishes, Plumbing, and Fundamental Aspects of Industry (most 3 credits each, with prerequisites for advanced courses).
• Partnerships with local career centers (e.g., UniTec, Cape Girardeau CTC) allow articulated credit transfer.

Career Preparation

Graduates are prepared for immediate employment in carpentry/construction roles.

Certifications Earned

• OSHA 10 (construction safety)
• Powder-actuated tool usage
• NCCER Core
• NCCER Carpentry Level 1

Yes, the program uses the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) curriculum, incorporating it directly for standardized, industry-recognized training in core skills and Carpentry Level 1.

For program advising or enrollment, contact the provided coordinator: Dr. Keith Zoromski, Vice-Provost of Instruction (kzoromski@mineralarea.edu, (573) 518-2127). Specific carpentry inquiries can also go to the program instructor (Bryan Hicklin) or CTE navigator via the college website.