Is This Program for You?

Do you like making things and working with your hands? Are you detail-oriented and do you enjoy physical work in the outdoors? A career in Building Trades-Carpentry may be for you.

Students entering the Building Trades-Carpentry program should:

• Enjoy hard physical work.
• Enjoy working outdoors at times.
• Be able to lift 100 pounds.
• Have good hand eye coordination.
• Be concerned with detail and accuracy.

Program Basics

• Technical diploma, requiring a minimum of one year to complete.
• Day classes.
• High school articulation courses accepted.
• Financial aid available.
• Classes start in August.

It is the student's responsibility to purchase and wear a hard hat.

Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
• To make sure your classes are the right fit, we consider any previous college credit you've earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
• Admissions Preference Policy

  Priority for program acceptance will be given in this order until May 1, 2024:

  1. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College District Residents (permanent address is in one of Southwest Tech’s 30 school districts the College serves) Southwest Tech District Information
  2. Non-District State Residents
  3. Out-of-State Residents

Helpful Academic Background

• Math
• Technical education courses

Program Fees

• This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
• Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
• Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.

Additional requirements

Students must have eyewear protection (safety glasses with side shields or wrap around safety glasses over prescription glasses) and must meet OSHA Z87.1 or greater while they are conducting operations that are deemed hazardous in nature. These glasses can be purchased at the College Bookstore.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Use hand and power tools and equipment
• Apply industry recognized safety practices and procedures
• Analyze sustainable building practices
• Interpret construction drawings
• Interpret building codes
• Demonstrate industry building practices and material application
• Attain the OSHA 10-hour course completion card as an orientation to occupational safety and health for workers in the construction field.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development statistics show that carpenters will continue to be in strong demand as both one of the top 30 occupations with the most annual openings and occupations with the most employed. Local job market data also supports the need for entry-level carpenters who have a good foundational background of knowledge and skills along with a desire to work. Carpenters may work alone or for small or large contractors. They may specialize in certain aspects of the trade such as rough or finish carpentry, remodeling, or repair work. They may build residential, agricultural, and/or commercial buildings.

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Building Trades-Carpentry Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
31-804-305	Applied Mathematics
	College Mathematics CLEP Test would also be accepted.