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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, WI 54494
Delivery:
In Person or Hybrid/Blended
Daytime
Full-Time or Part-Time
Varying Class Schedule
Length of Program: Two Years
Credits: 60-61
Start Dates: Fall or Spring
Start at any time or campus 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, and tree risk assessment.
Our unique aerial component gives our graduates experience working safely in the trees.
Outcomes
- Diagnose ornamental plant disorders.
- Identify woody plants by common and scientific name.
- Apply tree biology for arboricultural maintenance practices.
- Adhere to industry safety standards.
Employability Skills
- Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
- Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
- Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
- Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
- Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility
Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.
Estimated Entire Program Cost
Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.
- Tuition & Fees: $10,204.45
- Books: $140.76
- Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $53.00
- Total Estimated Cost: $10,398.21
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for full Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending.
This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001124 | Arborist Skills Introduction | 2 | |
| 10001133 | Chainsaw Safety and Operation | 2 | |
| 10001173 | Pruning for Structure | 2 | |
| 10001118 | Landscape Plant Identification | 2 | |
| 10806184 | Plant Biology | 3 | |
| 10801198 | Speech | 3 | |
| -or- | 10801196 | Oral/Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Term Total | 14 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001111 | Intro to Horticulture | 2 | |
| 10001110 | Tree Biology | 2 | |
| 10001102 | Plant Health Care Applicator | 2 | |
| 10809166 | Introduction to Ethics: Theory and Application | 3 | |
| 10001125 | Arboriculture Operations 1 | 2 | |
| 10806112 | Principles of Sustainability | 3 | |
| 10001108 | Electric Systems & Safety in Arboriculture | 1 | |
| 10001150 | Workplace Communication in Arboriculture | 1 | |
| Term Total | 16 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10804107 | College Mathematics | 3 | |
| -or- | 10804118 | Intermediate Algebra with Applications | 4 |
| 10801136 | English Composition 1 | 3 | |
| 10001105 | Dendrology and Silvics | 3 | |
| 10001199 | Fish, Forest, and Wildlife Management | 3 | |
| 10001126 | Arboriculture Operations 2 | 2 | |
| 10001115 | Root Management | 2 | |
| Term Total | 16-17 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001113 | Ornamental Plant Health Care | 3 | |
| 10001103 | Applied Arboriculture & Urban Forestry | 2 | |
| 10001149 | Ecology for Arboriculture | 3 | |
| 10001198 | Soil & Water Resources | 3 | |
| 10809188 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
| -or- | 10809198 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Term Total | 14 Credits | ||
| Program Total | 60-61 Credits |
Instructors
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.”
LUKE SCHEBERL, MS
Luke earned his MS in soil science from UW–Stevens Point. He also holds a BS in urban forestry. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and a Wisconsin Certified Pesticide Applicator (3.0). His experience includes nearly 10 years in landscape/turf management, commercial tree care (climbing, lift, planting, and treating), tree inventories, soil assessment, and research. He taught for three years at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha before joining Mid-State Technical College full-time in 2021.
“Arboriculture isn’t just another job. It is a passionate industry where outside is your daily office and trees are your clients! We do have fun here!”
Careers
- Arborist (commercial, utility, government)
- Plant Health Care Technician
- Urban Forester
- Apprenticeship
- Landscape Contractor
- Tree Trimmer/Climber
- Utility Vegetation Management Technician
- Consulting Arborist
- Arboriculture Safety Trainer
- Landscape Maintenance Technician
Video
Fast-Track
High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.
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. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.
Transfer • Dual Credit • Credit for Prior Learning
