Collaboration addresses Wisconsin’s demand for skilled STEM talent in high-growth, high-wage fields 

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) have expanded their longstanding transfer partnership, opening new pathways for NWTCs students into fast-growing, high-wage careers.

The two institutions have finalized three articulation agreements that expand access for graduates of NWTC’s engineering and design associate degree programs to pursue Bachelor of Science programs at MSOE in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Software Engineering.

“This partnership reflects the critical role two-year colleges play in the broader STEM talent pipeline,” said Dr. Kathryn Rogalski, NWTC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development. “By aligning our associate degree programs with MSOE’s specialized engineering pathways, we’re giving students the opportunity to advance into high-impact fields — without starting over. It’s a model that saves students time, money, and momentum, while connecting technical foundations to advanced, in-demand degrees. We’re proud to partner with an exceptional institution like MSOE that shares our commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and workforce relevance.”

MSOE is a nationally recognized university known for its hands-on, applications-oriented curriculum born out of industry need. Students at MSOE earn the highest average early and mid-career salaries of any college or university in the state of Wisconsin (PayScale, 2024) and boast a 98% graduate outcomes rate.

This agreement creates a unique opportunity for NWTC students to transition into a specialized four-year institution in Milwaukee — building a new academic bridge between Northeast and Southeast Wisconsin.

“MSOE is thrilled to partner with NWTC to offer students from northeastern Wisconsin the opportunity to continue their education in Milwaukee. NWTC students will have the opportunity to flourish in MSOE’s growing STEM fields including those that are being transformed by AI,” said Dr. Eric Baumgartner, MSOE Executive Vice President of Academics. “At MSOE, these students will continue to harness their technical skills and apply their knowledge to solve the diverse technical challenges of the 21st century.”

The new agreements align with NWTC’s recent launch of its College of STEM, which provides focused academic pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math — preparing students for future-forward careers that are both sustainable and in demand. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in STEM are expected to grow by 10.4 percent by 2031, twice as fast as any other occupation.

Ready to launch your career in engineering? Learn more about pathways at NWTC and our guaranteed admissions agreements here at MSOE.