About Ratcliffe Hicks

At the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture (RHSA), students are more than just a number. Through hands-on, experiential learning, students put their knowledge into action in three exciting programs. And our dedicated faculty and advisors are there every step of the way to ensure students succeed. Both traditional students and adult learners will find the expertise, community, and flexibility they need to launch their futures at Ratcliffe Hicks.

Unmatched Campus Facilities

UConn provides students with unique opportunities for experiential learning right on campus. Unlike any other university in the Northeast, UConn's animal facilities are within easy walking distance from central campus. Specialized laboratories and field research facilities also provide students with hands-on learning opportunities at their fingertips. Whether it’s in our barns, greenhouses, or outdoor classroom in the 2,100-acre UConn Forest, students can explore their interests and expand their knowledge at RHSA.

Part of the Pack

Students pursuing associates of applied science (AAS) degrees in RHSA have the best of both worlds: the same UConn Storrs experience within a close-knit community atmosphere. Students attending the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture benefit from all the resources available to students in the baccalaureate program at the same cost. RHSA courses are taught by faculty in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. RHSA students also take classes with baccalaureate degree-seeking students in CAHNR and other colleges within UConn.

Legacy of Learning

Situated on the northeast corner of campus along Horsebarn Hill, the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture stands as a legacy to one of the University's proud benefactors, Mr. Ratcliffe Hicks (1843-1906). A Tolland, Connecticut resident, Hicks created a trust to establish an agricultural school in the country where Connecticut students "of promising intelligence "could study agricultural arts, forestry, and related subjects. The School was officially established in 1941, allowing thousands of students to pursue their studies and expand their horizons.