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Dairy Science 63 Credit Associate Degree

The Dairy Science Associate Degree program provides a well-rounded, real-world understanding of the business of dairy production. The agriculture classes are taught at the Agriculture Center of Excellence, which houses a production dairy farm operation where learners will participate in a variety of activities.

Classroom instruction is combined with hands-on learning opportunities to expose learners to a wide-range of farming practices. In addition, learners will complete two internship work experiences. Jobs in this field are generally physical and require the strength to lift and carry 50 pounds. Learners interested in this career should have above average computer skills. Additionally, learners looking to be successful in this occupation should have the aptitude to work with animals and possess good oral, reading and writing skills.

Found in These Career Fields:

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Approximate Cost

$11,495
Tuition: $10125 , Books: $1369

Starting Salary

$20,800–$42,640
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
View a series of videos that illustrate the daily activities at the Agriculture Center of Excellence.
An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
Wausau
30-40%
Antigo
30-40%
Medford
30-40%
Phillips
30-40%
Spencer
30-40%
Wittenberg
30-40%
Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Develop a business plan for an agriculture business
  • Evaluate herd nutrition
  • Evaluate herd production
  • Assist with herd health practices and animal care
  • Create a livestock management plan
  • Apply skills in animal biosafety
  • Demonstrate safe animal handling practices

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Agriculture Laboratory Specialist
  • Agriculture Inspector
  • Feed Mill Worker
  • Breed Association Representative
  • Artificial Insemination Technician
  • Farm Owner
  • Agriculture Worker/Herdsman
  • Livestock Buyer/Seller/Owner
  • Agriculture Tourism
  • Agriculture Promotion
  • Agriculture Product Sales and Marketing

Courses

The Dairy Science Associate Degree is a 63 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

ORIENTATION TO AGRICULTURAL STUDIES 1.00
INTRO TO ANIMAL SCIENCE 3.00
CALF CARE MANAGEMENT LAB 1.00
FOUNDATIONAL ANIMAL BIOLOGY 2.00
EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS 2.00
AGRICULTURAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 2.00
AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT SAFETY 2.00
COLLEGE MATHEMATICS 3.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00

Second Term

MILK QUALITY & PRODUCTION 3.00
HEIFER CARE MANAGEMENT LAB 1.00
LIVESTOCK DISEASES 2.00
AGRICULTURE COMMODITIES & MARKETING 3.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00

Third Term

TRANSITION COW MANAGEMENT LAB 1.00
PRINCIPLES OF CROP PRODUCTION 3.00
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT 2.00

Fourth Term

AGRICULTURAL INTERNSHIP 3.00
LACTATING COW MANAGEMENT LAB 1.00
AGRICULTURAL ACCOUNTING 2.00
DAIRY NUTRITION 2.00
ECONOMICS 3.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00

Fifth Term

BOVINE REPRODUCTION 1 1.00
BOVINE REPRODUCTION 2 1.00
FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 3.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00
MILKING TECHNOLOGIES 3.00
BUILDING DESIGN FOR THE COW 3.00
INTRODUCTION TO DIVERSITY STUDIES 3.00
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Dairy Science Associate Degree:

  • The Agronomy Certificate will provide you with 8% (5 of 63 credits) of the total credits in this Dairy Science Associate Degree

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

School Name Degree Name
Siena Heights University Bachelor of Applied Science
UW Platteville BS in Dairy Science
UW River Falls Management Option

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Before you apply, you should know

The majority of the courses in this program take place at NTC’s Agriculture Center of Excellence, located at 6625 County Road K, Wausau, WI.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

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What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.