Wood Science 63 Credit* Associate Degree
Program Description
The Wood Science Associate Degree program is a broad-based program training learners to become professionals within the Forest Products Industry. Learners will engage in a unique hands-on experience using the latest design software and cutting-edge manufacturing equipment. All of this is housed in NTC’s state-of-the-art 27,000 square foot Wood Technology Center of Excellence.
Curricula include material science, product design and engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing and business. Graduates of this program are in high demand both locally and nationally, with over one million forest industry jobs in the United States and 64,000 in Wisconsin. Learners interested in pursuing careers in custom furniture are encouraged to add the Furniture Design and Craftsmanship Certificate that can be completed concurrently with the Wood Science Associate Degree program.
Approximate Cost
Starting Salary
Financial Aid
Media from the Wood Science Program
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.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
- Develop a business plan for wood manufacturing operations
- Design efficient manufacturing processes for wood products
- Apply wood industry testing standards to products and materials
- Inspect various wood products according to industry standards
- Create CAD drawings for wood products
- Operate technologically advanced wood manufacturing equipment
- Use current safety precautions in a manufacturing setting
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
- Procurement Specialist
- Moulder Technician
- Wood Product Field Auditor
- EWP Technical Support Specialist
- Architectural Woodworker
- Production or Sales Manager Trainee
- Dry Kiln Operator
- Lumber Inspector
- CNC Router Technician
- Furniture Designer
- Lumber and Log Sales Associate/Broker
- CAD Engineer
- Quality Control Specialist
- Production Supervisor
Courses
The Wood Science Associate Degree is a 63 Credit* program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better. This requirement is effective for students beginning the program in Spring 2021 and beyond.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
View All Detailed Course InformationPathways
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 Wood Science Associate Degree:
- The Wood Technology Technical Diploma will provide you with 51% (32 of 63 credits) of the total credits in this Wood Science Associate Degree
- The Basic Wood Manufacturing Certificate will provide you with 24% (15 of 63 credits) of the total credits in this Wood Science Associate Degree
- The CNC Router Certificate will provide you with 11% (7 of 63 credits) of the total credits in this Wood 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 |
|---|---|
| Minnesota State University - Moorhead | B.S. in Operations Management |
| Siena Heights University | Bachelor of Applied Science |
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 guidesAdditional Information
This program is housed in the Wood Technology Center of Excellence, a one-of-a-kind, 27,000 square foot facility dedicated to preparing students for careers in the forest products and woodworking industry.
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. The $30.00 application fee is being waived at this time.
Apply NowWhat’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.