Diesel Equipment Technology
About
Our Diesel Equipment Technology Program will provide you with the competencies required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment, including but not limited to agricultural tractors, commercial trucks, and construction equipment.
You will learn to inspect as well as repair and maintain engines, power trains, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, air conditioning, and brake systems. Additionally, you may earn multiple industry-accredited certifications in each area of concentration over a course of 14 consecutive months.
Experienced faculty will prepare you for an entry-level diesel technician position in the heavy-duty truck and heavy equipment industry. The curriculum utilizes both the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Medium/Heavy Truck standards and the Standards for Construction Equipment Technology (AED). These documents serve as national standards for certification of medium/heavy truck and construction equipment technician programs.
Program
Options
Day Program
Night Program
Areas of Specialty Training
- Safety
- Electronic Controlled Diesel Engines
- Hydraulic and Mechanical Power Trains
- Basic and Advanced Hydraulics
- Electrical and Electronic Systems
- Mobile Air Conditioning and Heating
- Preventive Maintenance
- Steering and Suspension Systems
- Welding
- Air Brakes

Graduates go to work at local dealerships that sell and service heavy-duty trucks and or Industrial equipment such as dozers, excavators, backhoes, logging equipment, etc. The average annual income for these positions is $50,000 at the state level.
Industry Sponsors
Sponsors of the Diesel Technology Academy include Stribling Equipment, Empire Truck Sales, and Total Transportation. The program has an excellent reputation with local industries looking for skilled workers and placement of students who complete the program is a top priority.
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Important Program Information
- DEGREES / CERTIFICATES
- Associate of Applied Science
- Career Certificate
- Technical Certificate
Our program offers an accelerated transition pathway of a career certificate at the successful completion of 30 semester credit hours, a technical certificate for transportation (medium to heavy trucks) option at the successful completion of 45 semester credit hours, or a technical certificate for heavy equipment option at the successful completion of 45 semester credit hours.
You will have the opportunity to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Diesel Equipment Technology degree (AAS-DET) simultaneously, or after completion of the technical certificate, by successfully completing the required 15 to 16 semester credit hours of approved college-level academic courses.
Course | Hours |
---|---|
Fundamentals of Equipment Mechanics | 4 |
Electrical/Electronic Systems I | 3 |
Electrical/Electronic Systems II | 4 |
Diesel Systems I | 3 |
Diesel Systems II | 3 |
Hydraulics I | 4 |
Preventive Maintenance and Service | 3 |
Air Conditioning and Heating Systems | 4 |
Welding for Diesel Equipment Technology | 2 |
Total Hours | 30 |
Transportation Option
Course | Hours |
---|---|
Transportation Power Train | 3 |
Steering and Suspension Systems | 3 |
Electrical/Electronic Systems III | 3 |
Diesel Systems III | 3 |
Advanced Brake Systems (Air) | 3 |
Total Hours (includes career certificate course hours) | 45 |
Heavy Equipment Option
Course | Hours |
---|---|
Electrical/Electronic Systems III | 3 |
Diesel Systems III | 3 |
Hydraulics/Hydrostats II | 4 |
Heavy Equipment Power Train | 4 |
Total Hours (includes career certificate course hours) | 44 |
Course | Hours |
---|---|
Technical English or English Composition I | 3–4 |
Public Speaking I or Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
Mathematics/Science Elective | 3–4 |
Total Hours (includes career and technical certificate course hours) | 59–62 |
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to this program must meet, interview, and test with the Diesel Equipment Technology chairperson and/or Navigator as well as submit high school/GED/College transcripts, ACT or ACCUPLACER scores, and complete the application for admission.