Black River Technical College, Ozarka College to allow for credits in state’s lone gunsmithing program

Black River Technical College (BRTC) and Ozarka College have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will give students the option to simultaneously enroll in Ozarka’s Precision Machining program and BRTC’s Gunsmithing program.

The MOU allows for the sharing, transfer, and articulation of credits between the programs, and will further student progress towards certification and employment in the skilled trades.

“BRTC is grateful to have a strong partnership with Ozarka,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Brad Baine said. “We truly feel that this agreement will benefit both colleges and the students we serve.”

Baine also noted that both colleges have machine tool technology programs on their campuses and a significant portion of the curriculum for the machine tool programs overlap with the gunsmithing curriculum. Those factors allow students to efficiently complete their desired certifications and degree in gunsmithing in a timely manner.

BRTC’s Gunsmithing program is one out of 11 gunsmithing programs in the United States, and is the only one in Arkansas. It is also the only one in the nation to be associated with a law enforcement training academy. The program offers three emphases: rifling, shotgunsmithing, and pistolsmithing.