You're a people person that wants to work outdoors. Learn to create beautiful landscapes and keep trees healthy.
students working with live tree
ISA Certified
All Our Faculty
are International Society of Arboriculture Certified
100%
Employed
100% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
95%
Work Local
95% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.
Tree Care Technician
Program Number: 310017
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Science, Math and Natural Resources
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
27 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$4,677.30

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Tree Care Technician program will prepare you for a career in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry. You will learn tree maintenance and management, aerial tree work, plant health care, tree selection and planting, and equipment safety and operation. The program involves practicum and lab components that provide you with real-world application and experience.  

    Program Details

    Students in the Tree Care Technician program can attend full or part time. Classes should be taken in the sequence listed.

    Tree care classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Careers

    Employers throughout the Madison area consider Madison College Tree Care graduates top candidates. Associate degree graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of urban forestry including:

    • Arborist – Commercial
    • Arborist – Municipal
    • Arborist – Utility
    • Urban Forestry Technician
    • Forestry Technician
    • Nursery Technician

    Resources

    Wolfie mascot and a tree care specialist in a tree
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-001-101
    2 credits
    10-001-102
    2 credits
    10-001-118
    2 credits
    10-001-124
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-001-110
    2 credits
    10-001-138
    3 credits
    10-001-173
    2 credits
    10-001-128
    2 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school  transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Tree Care Technician career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    ​The Madison College Tree Care Program prepares you to:

    1. Diagnose ornamental plant disorders
    2. Identify woody plants by common and scientific name
    3. Apply tree biology for arboriculture and maintenance practices
    4. Adhere to industry safety standards
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      20212022
      Number of Program Graduates42
      Number of Surveys Sent42
      Number of Surveys Returned42
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment21
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%50.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market100.00%50.00%
      Available for Employment

      20212022
      Graduates Employed21
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation21
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation00
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.00%0.00%
      Employed - No Response00
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment00
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      20212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.5
      Number of Satisfaction Responses22
      Very Satisfied (4)11
      Percent Very Satisfied50.00%50.00%
      Satisfied (3)11
      Percent Satisfied50.00%50.00%
      Unsatisfied (2)00
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)00
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      20212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses42
      Preparation for Getting a Job00
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job0.00%0.00%
      Career Change01
      Percent Career Change0.00%50.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills11
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills25.00%50.00%
      Preparation for Further Education30
      Percent Preparation for Further Education75.00%0.00%
      Personal Interest00
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%0.00%
      Other00
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      20212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses21
      Before Enrollment01
      Percent Before Enrollment0.00%100.00%
      While Attending the College10
      Percent While Attending the College50.00%0.00%
      After Training at the College10
      Percent After Training at the College50.00%0.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      20212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses20
      In College District20
      Percent In College District100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District00
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin00
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown00
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend20212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count2
      Average Monthly Wage$3,053
      Average Hourly Wage$17.75
      Average Work Hours per Week40
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      DSH Tree CareArboristFond du Lac

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Human and Protective Services

Madison Truax Campus
Protective Services Building, 100

1701 Pearson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

hps@madisoncollege.edu
608.243.5400

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm