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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
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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 SemesterSecond Semester -
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Secure Your Spot!
This program has a limited number of seats available. We encourage early applications to secure your spot, but the program has not historically reached full capacity.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Tree Care Technician career.
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Career Outcomes
The Madison College Tree Care Program prepares you to:
- Diagnose ornamental plant disorders
- Identify woody plants by common and scientific name
- Apply tree biology for arboriculture and maintenance practices
- Adhere to industry safety standards
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 2 4 9 Number of Surveys Sent 2 4 9 Number of Surveys Returned 2 3 7 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 1 2 6 Percent Available for Employment 50.0% 66.7% 85.7% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 50.0% 33.3% 14.3% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 1 2 6 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 1 2 3 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 100.0% 50.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 0.0% 33.3% Employed - No Response 0 0 1 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.5 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 2 2 6 Very Satisfied (4) 1 1 4 Percent Very Satisfied 50.0% 50.0% 66.7% Satisfied (3) 1 1 2 Percent Satisfied 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 2 3 7 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 1 2 5 Before Enrollment 1 0 1 Percent Before Enrollment 100.0% 0.0% 20.0% While Attending the College 0 2 1 Percent While Attending the College 0.0% 100.0% 20.0% After Training at the College 0 0 3 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 0.0% 60.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 1 2 6 In College District 0 2 4 Percent In College District 0.0% 100.0% 66.7% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 0 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 100.0% 0.0% 16.7% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 3 Average Monthly Wage $3,673 $4,243 Average Hourly Wage $21.36 $24.67 Average Work Hours per Week 39.0 40.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 Average Hourly Wage $20.00 Average Work Hours per Week 32.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions City of Madison Streets Division Arborist Stephenson Tree Care Arborist Zielie's Tree Service Utility Tree Trimmer Ashland * - 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