Individualized Technical Studies

1. Contact one of Blackhawk Technical College’s advisors about the Individualized Technical Studies Degree to begin your program planning and admissions process.
2. Complete a self-assessment.
3. With the guidance of a college advisor, your BTC academic dean or departmental designee will be assigned. Normally, the program area in which the majority of your credits will be taken determines you’re appointed dean or designee.
4. Discuss the areas in which you are interested and whether an individualized program is best for you. If an existing program does not meet your needs, determine which combination of program areas may do so.
5. Working with your appointed dean or departmental designee, contact your occupational mentor, someone who is knowledgeable about the type of occupation you have selected. The occupational mentor works in that occupation or supervises people in the type of position for which you are preparing.
6. Working with your occupational mentor, complete your program outcome statements and your statement of need for an Individualized Technical Studies Degree.
7. Submit your program outcome statements and statement of need to your appointed dean or designee for review. Revise these statements if necessary.
8. With your BTC-appointed dean or designee, choose the courses needed for your Individualized Technical Studies Degree.
9. Once you have chosen the courses from the areas of study for your Individualized Technical Studies Degree, meet with a program advisor to write out your program plan of study for your time at BTC and go over any courses you wish to receive credit for prior learning.
10. Prepare your portfolio and submit it to your program advisor for review by the BTC Individualized Technical Studies Degree Committee. Your portfolio must contain the following:
    • The name of and information about your Occupational Mentor
    • Program Outcomes Statement
    • Statement of Need
    • Your resume
    • Program Plan
    • A list of courses you wish to advance stand based on prior work experience, course experience, coursework, or non-collegiate training along with documentation. Documentation for courses you wish to advance stand should include:
      • Transcripts, diplomas, certificates, licenses, or degrees
      • Military experience and/or training verification
      • Samples of work, projects, pictures of products, etc., if applicable
11. The BTC Individualized Technical Studies Degree Committee, along with your appointed Dean or Designee and/or other appropriate individuals at the college will review your materials and either approve or disapprove your program. 
12. Upon approval, unless you are already enrolled at Blackhawk Technical College, complete the BTC application process. Financial aid or veterans benefits are available for this unique program.
13. Meet with your Program Advisor, your appointed Dean or Designee, and your Occupational Mentor at least once a year to review your Program Plan Degree Outline and progression toward degree completion. 

General education courses will be drawn from communication, mathematics, science, and behavioral and social sciences. Each student also will complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of individualized technical studies (including at least three credit hours of computer-related courses). Students may use courses from all departments at BTC. A minimum of 20 of these credits must be focused in one discipline. The selection of these courses must be relevant to the student's career goals and should provide sufficient hours of concentration in one or two specific technical areas to ensure technical competence in achieving his or her occupational goals.

As described in the Degree Process, you will work with your occupational mentor to complete your program outcomes statements. These will be submitted for review to your appointment dean or designee. 

• Department of Labor
• Wisconsin Wage Information
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development