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The Individualized Technical Studies (ITS) associate degree is a flexible program intended for students with specific career goals that can’t be met by other degree programs at Western. It is a customized program that allows you to draw from a variety of existing courses in traditional disciplines and programs. You are encouraged to explore credit for prior learning (CPL) based on previous work experience, coursework, and military service training. CPL enables you to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

Examples of an ITS degree could be:

• Childcare Administration: Combining Early Childhood core program classes with Human Services and Business and Management courses
• Marketing and Design: Pairing courses from Marketing with Art, A/V Technology, and Communications courses
• Criminal Justice Management: Combining Law, Public Safety, and Security courses with Business, Management, and Administration courses
• Business Management & Sales: Coupling Business and Management with Administration and Marketing courses
• Computer Support Manager: Pairing Information Technology courses with Business or Management with Administration courses

If you enjoy precision and detail, consider a medical coding career. As a medical coder, you'll review medical documentation provided by physicians and translate it into numeric codes that represent diagnoses and treatment. In addition to coding, courses also cover anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, diseases, health data management, and computer applications. The coded data are used for many purposes, including healthcare claims and research.

Graduates of this program are employed as entry-level coding specialists in hospitals, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers, care facilities, consulting companies, billing services, and insurance companies.

Graduates are eligible to take the Certified Coding Associate exam of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Additional certification exams and career opportunities are available for those with on-the-job coding experience.

Take on an important role in the healthcare sector by becoming a dental assistant. In this career, you'll do more than traditional chairside assistance; you'll actively engage with patients, guiding them toward optimal oral health practices. Your responsibilities will extend to assisting dentists in various dental procedures, including general dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, and pediatrics. You may also have opportunities to work in a dental lab, perform x-rays, schedule appointments, and manage office tasks.

Western's comprehensive technical diploma courses are designed to equip you with the skills necessary to excel in private practices, dental groups, or governmental agencies focused on dental services. The program covers essential skills, including four-handed dentistry, dental anatomy, radiography techniques, oral hygiene principles, adherence to OSHA standards, and effective communication.

Upon completion, you'll have the chance to enhance your credentials by pursuing certification through the Dental Assisting National Board examination. This opens doors to a fulfilling and impactful career in dental healthcare.

Our Building Construction and Cabinetmaking program helps you build on your knowledge and develop your skills to prepare for employment in the fields of construction and cabinet making.

You'll study fundamentals of building design, site development, building layout operations, concrete applications, cabinet design and construction, and materials used in the construction and cabinet making industries. You'll be instructed in safe and proper use of hand tools, portable power tools, and stationary power equipment. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to apply framing, interior finishing, and exterior finishing techniques at actual jobsites, and work on commercial framing and finishing projects in the cabinet shop and framing lab. Related mathematics, blueprint reading, estimating, building science principles, and OSHA 10 are part of the training.

Graduates are ready for a variety of careers, including cabinetmaking, residential and commercial carpentry, general construction, working at building supply stores or lumberyards, and other positions in the construction industry.

The Nursing Assistant program is your pathway to a rewarding NA career and also serves as a foundation for pursuing other health-related programs. Over the course of 81 hours, you will acquire and demonstrate essential skills, including effective communication, basic nursing and personal care, respect for client's rights, and the care of clients with dementias. This program is proudly recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

With this technical diploma, you become eligible to take the Wisconsin Nursing Assistant competency evaluation. Passing this evaluation allows you to be included on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, opening doors to employment opportunities in various healthcare settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, CBRFs, and more. This program equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide crucial care and support to individuals in need within the healthcare industry.

If you are already certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), this course provides additional training that allows you to provide even more lifesaving care. Advanced patient assessment, communication, and beginning advanced life support interventions are among the topics covered.

As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), you're on the front lines providing lifesaving care to people in need. You'll learn how to assess a patient's illness or injury, render aid, and use proper procedures and precautions when treating a patient. This 252-hour program prepares you for all aspects of emergency medical care, including medical and trauma situations sanctioned by the Wisconsin Division of Health. Although most EMTs have historically worked for ambulance services, many also find employment in fire departments, clinics, and hospitals.

  This program contains the EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) EMT Part 1 course (3 credits) and the EMT Part 2 course (4 credits), meeting requirements for licensure in Wisconsin and certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Take the full program in one term and earn a technical diploma upon successful completion. You will be required to take a practical and written exam to become nationally registered and then apply for a license to work as EMTs in Wisconsin. Continue your education to earn the EMT-Paramedic Technical Diploma and/or the Paramedic Technician associate degree for further job opportunities and earning potential.

This program is specifically designed for those with a minimum of 40 accredited college-level credits who seek to meet Wisconsin certification requirements as a law enforcement officer. In this role, you'll be responsible for the preservation of law and order in your community. You'll learn numerous skills related to the profession of law enforcement. Your training will also include crime prevention, crime investigation, vehicle patrols, and assisting the public.

This program includes in-class fitness training and other physical education such as defensive tactics and fire arms training. You'll have plenty of opportunities to practice your skills with hands-on training and scenario-based field simulations.

Western's University Transfer programs are equivalent to the first- and second-year general education courses offered at traditional universities. Our Associate of Science program prepares you for Bachelor of Science programs in the University of Wisconsin System as well as many other four-year transfer partners.

General education courses include English, math, science, history, social sciences, the humanities, and health and wellness courses. You could save 40 percent by taking these AS degree courses at Western before transferring to a four-year program of study in the natural and physical sciences or social sciences!

Western's University Transfer programs are equivalent to the first- and second-year general education courses offered at traditional universities. Our Associate of Arts program prepares you for Bachelor of Arts programs in the University of Wisconsin System as well as many other four-year transfer partners. You can save thousands of dollars and earn the same bachelor's degree!

Our classes are tailored to fit your needs:

• Gaining knowledge and experience in the arts that broaden perspectives.
• Increasing problem solving abilities.
• Developing improved communication skills.
• Cultivating college-level literacy practices.

Choose courses that emphasize your individual educational goals! The AA degree is designed to provide essential soft skills for future careers and support transfer into arts, social sciences, or humanities degree programs.