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covid information and resources - updated 10.28.20
arborist technician
associate in applied science (aas)
why choose arborist technician?
- turn your passion for the outdoors into a great career doing what you love.
- discover endless career opportunities in arboriculture, and enjoy new and exciting challenges every day.
- interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? for transfer opportunities, visit mstc.edu/transfer.
living in a continually developing world is often associated with a life disconnected from nature, but arborist technicians are working to change that. whether it’s managing an entire city forest or simply taking care of a tree in a yard, arborists work to reconnect people with nature.
program locations
wisconsin rapids campus
500 32nd street north
wisconsin rapids, wisconsin 54494
length of program: two years
credits: 64-65
start dates: fall and spring
start at any time or location by taking general education courses.
what you'll learn
mid-state’s arborist technician graduates enter the workforce with real-world knowledge and skills. our students learn the fundamentals of pruning, plant health care, tree planting and maintenance, plant identification, tree risk assessment, and landscape installation and management.
our unique aerial component gives our graduates experience working safely in the trees. you’ll learn rope and saddle climbing, work with aerial lifts, and operate brush chippers and other industry equipment.
estimated entire program cost
cost based on the 2020/2021 academic calendar year.
- Tuition & Fees: $10,181.22
- books: $1,297.25
- supplies, uniforms, and/or exams: $305.00
- total estimated cost: $11,783.47
financial aid eligibility
this program is eligible for full financial aid.
| catalog# | title | credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001124 | arborist skills introduction | 2.00 | |
| 10001133 | chainsaw safety and operation | 2.00 | |
| 10001173 | urban tree maintenance | 2.00 | |
| 10001118 | landscape plant identification | 2.00 | |
| 10806184 | plant biology | 3.00 | |
|
10804107 | college mathematics | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10804118 | intermediate algebra with applications | 4.00 |
| 10801136 | english composition i | 3.00 | |
| (17-18 credits) |
| catalog# | title | credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001111 | intro to horticulture | 2.00 | |
| 10001110 | tree biology | 2.00 | |
| 10001102 | plant health care applicator | 2.00 | |
| 10001148 | people, resources, and sustainability | 3.00 | |
| 10806134 | general chemistry | 4.00 | |
| 10001125 | arborist skills 1 | 2.00 | |
| (15 credits) |
| catalog# | title | credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001105 | dendrology and silvics | 3.00 | |
| 10001199 | Intro to Fisheries, Forestry, & Wildlife Resources | 3.00 | |
| 10001104 | applied landscape architecture | 2.00 | |
| 10809166 | Intro to Ethics: Theory & Application | 3.00 | |
|
10801198 | speech | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10801196 | oral/interpersonal communication | 3.00 |
| 10001126 | arborist skills 2 | 2.00 | |
| (16 credits) |
| catalog# | title | credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001113 | ornamental plant health care | 3.00 | |
| 10001103 | applied urban forestry | 2.00 | |
| 10001149 | ecological basis for natural resource management | 3.00 | |
| 10001198 | Intro to Soil & Water Resources | 3.00 | |
|
10809188 | developmental psychology | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10809198 | intro to psychology | 3.00 |
| 10001127 | arborist skills 3 | 2.00 | |
| (16 credits) |
| (64-65 credits) |
instructors
dr. debra crunkilton, bs, mpa, phd
dr. crunkilton holds a phd from the university of missouri and has also taught at the university of wisconsin–stevens point. she has worked for the us forest service and the us soil conservation service and conducted research on oak at the university of missouri, columbia. to keep her skills current, she works with private companies and attends tree industry meetings.
"i love teaching and especially learning from my students. mid-state allows us time for exciting hands-on learning.”
joe hoffman, bs, mf
joe hoffman obtained his master of forestry from virginia tech and is a certified arborist by the international society of arboriculture. for over a decade he has coordinated travel for midwest students to attend the annual tree care industry expo, helping to expose them to the same breadth of opportunities he’s enjoyed. he brings over 17 years of arboriculture experience to the classroom and keeps his skills current by working in the industry during the summer and attending conferences.
“i’m deeply rewarded when students fully grasp that this education is theirs…when they take ownership and pursue their passions with all their might.”
careers
- arborist (commercial, municipal, golf course, utility)
- horticulture technician
- landscape maintenance technician
- landscaping design and installation
- nursery technician
- park maintenance technician
- vegetation mapping
video
take the next step
“most students go to college to find good-paying careers doing something they enjoy. mid-state gave me that and so much more as i discovered my passion and achieved more than i ever could have anticipated.”
bryce crunkilton
graduate
choose your path
career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree.
transfer • dual credit • credit for prior learning
