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Wood Science 63 Credit* Associate Degree

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

$11,536
Tuition: $10646 , Books: $890

Starting Salary

$28,080–$55,120
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Are you passionate about sustainability? Do you enjoy hands-on work? Are you fascinated by CNC machines? Do you have an interest in the Forest Products Industry? Hear what our students and have to say about why you should consider a career in Wood Science
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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.

20-30%
Wausau
100%
Antigo
20-30%
Medford
20-30%
Phillips
20-30%
Spencer
20-30%
Wittenberg
20-30%
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 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.

First Term

WOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 4.00
INDUSTRY ORIENTATION AND SAFETY 1.00
WOOD MANUFACTURING PROCESSES 3.00
HARDWOOD GRADING AND MERCHANDISING 3.00
FUNDAMENTALS OF FURNITURE MANUFACTURING 2.00
COLLEGE MATHEMATICS 3.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00

Second Term

WOOD ADHESIVES APPLICATION 2.00
SECONDARY WOOD MANUFACTURING 1 5.00
SECONDARY WOOD MANUFACTURING 2 4.00
TECHNICAL DRAFTING/CAD 2.00
LEAN MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS 2.00
INTERPRETING ENGINEERING DRAWINGS 1.00

Third Term

WOOD DRYING SCIENCE 4.00
WOOD INDUSTRY GLOBAL MARKETS 2.00
CNC ROUTER TECHNOLOGY 4.00
COLLEGE PHYSICS 1 3.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00

Fourth Term

SUSTAINABLE BIOMATERIALS & ENERGY 2.00
DESIGN INNOVATION IN WOOD PRODUCTS 4.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 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 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 guides

Additional 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.

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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.