Program Description

The Smart Manufacturing Technology Associate Degree combines foundational coursework in the areas of electromechanical and automation systems with advanced coursework in Industry 4.0 concepts and quality manufacturing. If you are interested in the latest technology in industrial automation and robotics, as well as, the implementation of these technologies in order to optimize manufacturing processes this may be of interest to you. Some of the innovative topics will include Industry 4.0 Fundamentals, Vision Guided Robotics, Industrial Internet of Things, Simulation, Artificial Intelligence, and Designing Products in a Smart Factory.

Approximate Program Cost

$12,534
Tuition & Fees: $11,280
Books & Supplies: $1,254

Starting Salary

$33,278–$40,207
Average, according to Lightcast

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
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%
at Wausau
60-70%
at Antigo
50-60%
at Medford
60-70%
at Phillips
50-60%
at Spencer
50-60%
at Wittenberg
50-60%
at Online

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

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Set up, adjust, operate and optimize computer-controlled manufacturing equipment
  • Utilize networking capabilities and smart sensor technology to gather data
  • Integrate automation, electrical and mechanical systems and devices
  • Troubleshoot and diagnose problems in manufacturing to improve quality and efficiency
  • Implement the appropriate automation and smart technology into manufacturing processes

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Automation Technician
  • Robotic Integrator
  • System Technologist
  • Electromechanical Technician
  • Quality Technician

Courses

The Smart Manufacturing Technology Associate Degree is a 65–66 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

College 101 1.00
Quality Assurance 1.00
Precision Measuring 2.00
Machine Control 3: Sensors And Machine Safety 1.00
Machine Control 2: Motor And Actuator Control 1.00
Machine Control 1: Ladder Logic Fundamentals 1.00
Industrial Electronics Technology 2 - Alternating Current Electrical Characteristics 1.00
Industrial Electronics Technology 1 - Direct Current Electrical Characteristics 1.00
General Physics 1 4.00
Industry Workplace Safety 1.00
Intermediate Algebra W/Apps 4.00
College Algebra W/Apps 3.00

Second Term

Interpreting Engineering Drawings 1.00
Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00
Servo Systems 1: Fundamentals Of Industrial Control Systems 1.00
Industry 4.0 Fundamentals 1.00
Lean Manufacturing Fundamentals 2.00
Fluid Power Systems 1: Fundamentals 1.00
PLC 3: Data, Math, Sequencer And Shift Instructions 1.00
PLC 2: Timers, Counters And Program Control 1.00
PLC 1: PLC Fundamentals And Bit Based Instructions 1.00
Industrial Electronics Technology 3 - Electronic Circuits And Devices 1.00
Introduction To Six Sigma 3.00

Third Term

Manufacturing Processes 3.00
Introduction To Diversity Studies 3.00
Intro To Sociology 3.00
Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00
Designing A Solution In A Smart Factory 1.00
Servo Systems 3: Advanced Position Control And Integration 1.00
Robotic Applications 2: Robotic System Components And Software 1.00
Robotic Applications 1: Fundamentals Of Robotic Control 1.00
Industrial Internet Of Things 1.00
PLC 6: Plc, Pac And Pc Automation Integration 1.00
PLC 5: Industrial Networking 1.00
PLC 4: Advanced Instructions And Programming 1.00

Fourth Term

Materials Of Industry 2.00
Statistical Process Control 2.00
Team Building And Problem Solving 3.00
Psychology Of Human Relations 3.00
Intro To Psychology 3.00
Producing Products In An Intelligent Factory 3.00
Simulation And Ai 1.00
Collaborative Robots And Vision 1.00

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 Smart Manufacturing Technology 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
UW Stout Bachelor of Automation Leadership

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

Cost of Attendance

2024–2025 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semesters — Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Expenses Student Living With Parents (Home) Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $3,008 $9,147
Books / Supplies $1,465 $1,465
Transportation $4,017 $4,017
Personal Expenses $3,608 $3,608
Loan Fees $85 $85
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance
In-State
$17,027
Out-of-State
$19,310
In-State
$23,166
Out-of-State
$25,449

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647
financialaid@ntc.edu

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.

Fill out our application

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

Apply Now

Then, submit one of the following

Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.

  • High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
  • ACT composite score of 18 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
  • Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
  • College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.

If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.

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 emailed to you.