Whether your passion is dairy or livestock the innovative training of our Animal Science program will provide you with the knowledge and skills for a successful career. Classes focus on animal nutrition, herd health, reproduction, genetics, milk or meat quality, record keeping, and industry related technology.
What you will learn:
- Animal Nutrition
- Healthy and Efficient Livestock Environment
- Milk and Meat Quality
- Reproduction Techniques and Artificial Insemination
- Farm Records and Analysis
- Soils and Forage Crop Production
- Overview
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Is This Program for You?
Do you enjoy animals and agriculture? Do you work well independently, as well as in a team setting? Are you a problem solver, analytical thinker, and a strong communicator? If so, the Agribusiness Science & Technology – Animal Science program may be a great fit for you.
Students entering the Agribusiness, Science & Technology - Animal Science program should:
- Have a strong attention to detail.
- Be willing to try new and innovative ideas.
- Have a good understanding of agriculture.
- Enjoy science and mathematics.
Program Basics
- Associate degree - requiring a minimum of two years to complete
- Classes are offered daytime, face to face, and on campus
- Fall or Spring Start
- Financial aid available
- Credit for prior learning may be available
- High school articulation courses accepted
Related Degrees
- Curriculum & Costs
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Cost of Attendance (COA) 23-24
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.
Category Amount Tuition and Fees $4,713 Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $9,614 Books and Supplies $2,061 Personal Expenses $2,245 Transportation $2,007 Charger Tech 360 Fee $600 Loan Fees $83 Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $21,323 1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $10,662 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.
- Requirements
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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 January 1, 2024:
- 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
- Non-District State Residents
- Out-of-State Residents
Helpful Academic Background
- High school agriculture
- Communication skills
- Science
- Math 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 eye wear 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.
- Outcomes
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Program Outcomes
At the completion of this program, students are expected to be able to:
- Analyze opportunities in agriculture
- Apply relevant technologies
- Demonstrate professionalism skills within the agricultural career areas
- Develop a management plan in agriculture
- Create a livestock management plan
Related Degrees
- Career Opportunities
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Graduates obtain positions in a wide variety of specialty areas, and there is a vast amount of potential for those who have mid-management or upper-management career aspirations. The demand in this field is expected to remain high for several years in such jobs as:
- Herds Person for Livestock operations
- Reproductive Specialist
- A.I. Technician
- Feed Sales
- Milk Quality and Meat Quality Specialist
- Livestock Care Specialist
Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.
- Transfers
- Prior Learning
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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.
Agribusiness Science & Technology - Animal Science Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:
Course # Course Title Challenge Exam
(Demonstration)Challenge Exam
(Standard)CLEPCredentialPortfolio10-006-146 Milk Production 
Sanitarian Cerficate or DHI Tester 10-006-150 Farm Animal Reproduction AI Ceritification 10-006-153 Dairy Production Management 10-006-180 Animal Science 10-006-197 Agribusiness Experiential Learning 10-103-106 Beginning Microsoft Excel Any Microsoft MOUS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL 10-801-195 Written Communication College Composition CLEP test would also be accepted for credit. However, the challenge exam is the preferred method. 10-801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication 10-804-123 Math with Business Applications 10-809-172 Introduction to Diversity Studies