Penn State DuBois wildlife technology program achieves reaccreditation

DuBOIS, Pa. - Recently, the wildlife technology program at Penn State DuBois earned reaccreditation with the North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA) for five years.

Founded in part by a former Penn State DuBois faculty member in 1984, NAWTA accredits hands-on, technical programs in Canada and the United States that demonstrate updated curriculum, current technology and concepts, and professional development. The Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technology Program has been accredited by NAWTA for 40 years and is the only two-year wildlife technology program in Pennsylvania to hold accreditation.

"Being part of NAWTA, and receiving accreditation through them, allows us to ensure our curriculum is up to date and meets international standards," said Keely Roen, associate teaching professor and program coordinator of wildlife technology at Penn State DuBois. "The association reviews our curriculum in a variety of categories, including field techniques, professional communication and mechanical skills. Earning reaccreditation confirms that our campus is doing everything we can to help prepare our students to succeed professionally."

Roen recently traveled to Newfoundland where she presented to the NAWTA accrediting board. After all accreditation presentations were completed, she received confirmation that the program at Penn State DuBois had received reaccreditation status.

"The primary purpose of my visit was to share our program with the accreditation committee and NAWTA members in general," Roen said. "However, the annual meeting allows us to see other sister institutions up close. Collectively were able to discuss emerging technologies such as drones and acoustic monitoring, see how large-scale concepts like invasive species and wildlife disease were taught elsewhere and discuss job market trends and funding sources."

Currently, there are 16 programs in the United States and Canada that are accredited through the NAWTA. Seven colleges presented at this year's annual meeting, including Penn State DuBois.

According to NAWTA, its accreditation standards ensure that graduates of accredited institutions possess requisite skills sought after by employers to meet the increasingly diverse needs of society and the profession of wildlife and fisheries science and management.

To learn more about the wildlife technology program at Penn State DuBois, visit the program's academic website.