Natural Gas Production and Services, Associate of Applied Science

Offered by the Department of Geography and Geology

Professor Dodson (chairperson)
Associate Professor Demchak
Assistant Professor Kopf, Stocks
Instructors Dillon, Guignard, Dom

Mansfield University’s Natural Gas Production and Services AAS is a new program offered by the Geography and Geology Department. The program will prepare students for a variety of career paths in the natural gas industry and its associated well service providers, including but not limited to well site mud logging, pipeline inspections, well pad assessment, GIS applications, safety management, and environmental compliance inspection. This new program is designed to provide students with a basic working knowledge of shale gas geology, geologic and geographic data collection methods, determination of well sites, job safety, basic data assessment and report preparation skills, and hands-on experience.

Students will also be able to choose one or more of the following concentration areas:

1. Permitting and Inspection,
2. Mudlogging/ Geologic Specialist,
3. Environmental Specialist,
4. GIS Specialist,
5. Safety Management Specialist.

Each of these tracks has been identified by industry and government representatives as an area of need. 

The Natural Gas Production and Services AAS program has been approved by the State System of Higher Education for the Fall 2012 semester. Students interested in being part of the inaugural classes can apply now to enroll in general education and core courses that are offered during this fall’s semester. 

Program Objectives:

The program is designed to prepare students for jobs in specific high-demand career paths in the Natural Gas industry and related government and private industries.  The applied skill sets and knowledge that form the core of this degree program also provide important components for broader academic exploration and intellectual growth in quantitative skills, communication, leadership, and an understanding of the natural world. The program stresses the importance of clear communication and teamwork in planning and developing solutions to complex problems.  Students also gain firsthand knowledge of issues that are driving social, economic, and environmental changes in Pennsylvania and New York.

Program Learning Outcomes:

After successfully completing the AAS degree in Natural Gas Production and Services students will be able to:

• collect accurate geologic and environmental data using techniques and practices that follow industry guidelines
• demonstrate an understanding of industry safety practices and awareness of common safety issues on natural gas production sites
• communicate technical data and assessments clearly in written and oral reports
• explain the general system of exploration, production, and distribution and the role of specific service providers in the natural gas industry