Program Description

The Electrical Power Distribution Technical Diploma program provides theoretical and hands-on training in all phases of power line construction and maintenance. Learners must have the ability to work at heights and in all weather conditions, good eyesight and hearing, and have manual dexterity to be successful in a career as a line mechanic.

This program leads to employment with electrical power providers and line construction companies with emphasis on electrical line work. It provides fundamentals of electrical theory as well as application of electrical equipment with emphasis on safety. Instruction is divided between classroom and outdoor lab activities.

Please note: This program is subject to the Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion and some courses listed will not be eligible for full financial aid funding based on the program’s credit hours.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$8,009
Tuition & Fees: $7,355
Books & Supplies: $654

Starting Salary

$59,419–$68,427
Average, according to Economic Modeling Specialists International

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
10-20%
at Antigo
< 10 %
at Medford
10-20%
at Phillips
< 10 %
at Spencer
< 10 %
at Wittenberg
< 10 %
at Online

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

Prerequisites

This program requires proof of a Federal Medical (FedMed) card, which is issued after you complete a Department Of Transportation (DOT) physical with a registered, certified medical examiner. Students will also be subject to pre-enrollment drug and alcohol screening, as well as random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident screening. Certain industries do not require a Federal Medical Card. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for further information. Additionally, students must complete a Motor Vehicle Record evaluation to be approved for operating an NTC vehicle.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Maintain electrical systems
  • Construct overhead electrical distribution systems
  • Disassemble overhead electrical distribution systems
  • Construct underground electrical distribution systems
  • Disassemble underground electrical distribution systems
  • Construct overhead electrical transmission system
  • Disassemble overhead electrical transmission system
  • Apply electrical theory

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Line Mechanic

Courses

The Electrical Power Distribution Technical Diploma is a 40 credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

Please note: This program is subject to the Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion and some courses listed will not be eligible for full financial aid funding based on the program’s credit hours.

First Term

College 101 1.00
Truck Driving 1 1.00
Truck Driving 2 4.00
Truck Driving 3 4.00

Second Term

Industrial Electronics Technology 1 - Direct Current Electrical Characteristics 1.00
Line Electrician Safety 1 1.00
Line Electrician Safety 2 1.00
Line Electrician Field Training 1 5.00
Line Electrician Field Training 2 5.00
Calculation For Utilities 1.00
Workplace Safety 1.00

Third Term

Industrial Electronics Technology 2 - Alternating Current Electrical Characteristics 1.00
Distribution Construction Standards 1.00
Line Electrician Field Training 3 5.00
Line Electrician Safety 3 1.00
Line Electrician Field Training 4 5.00
Workplace Communication 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 Electrical Power Distribution Technical Diploma:

  • The Truck Driving Technical Diploma will provide you with 23% (9 of 39 credits) of the total credits in this Electrical Power Distribution Technical Diploma

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

Additional Information

Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion

This program is subject to the Clock-to-Credit Hour Conversion and some courses listed will not be eligible for full financial aid funding based on the program’s credit hours.

Term Course Credit Hours Financial Aid Credit Hours
1 COLLEGE 101 1 1
1 TRUCK DRIVING 1 1 .9
1 TRUCK DRIVING 2 4 4
1 TRUCK DRIVING 3 4 4
1 COMMERCIAL LEARNER PERMIT PREP 1 .9
2 WORKPLACE SAFETY 1 .6
2 INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 1 - DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1 .9
2 LINE ELECTRICIAN SAFETY 2 1 1
2 LINE ELECTRICIAN FIELD TRAINING 2 5 5
2 LINE ELECTRICIAN SAFETY 1 1 1
2 LINE ELECTRICIAN FIELD TRAINING 1 5 5
2 CALCULATION FOR UTILITIES 1 1
3 INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 2 - ALTERNATING CURRENT ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1 .9
3 INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 4 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 1 .9
3 DISTRIBUTION CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS 1 1
3 LINE ELECTRICIAN FIELD TRAINING 3 5 5
3 LINE ELECTRICIAN SAFETY 3 1 1
3 LINE ELECTRICIAN FIELD TRAINING 4 5 5
3 WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION 1 1

For more information, please refer to our Financial Aid Policies.

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

  • Part of this program includes Truck Driving courses. These are currently offered at NTC’s CDL Training Center at 1204 W. Taylor St. in Merrill, WI.
  • Reviewing the Truck Driving Information Session is highly encouraged before enrolling in classes. To help you better understand the truck driving program, this session includes course information, DOT disqualifications, factors affecting employability, and drug & alcohol testing.
  • You must provide proof of legal status or citizenship to obtain a CDL through this program
  • Maintaining a valid and clean driving record is important for your success in this industry.

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

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.