Salina Area Technical College
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Diesel Technology*
The Diesel Technology program at Salina Area Technical College provides students with the knowledge and training needed to diagnose, service, and repair today’s advanced diesel truck, agriculture, and heavy equipment machinery. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, students will learn about all the major components of diesel-powered trucks and equipment including:
- Diesel Engines
- Basic Power Trains
- Cab Air Conditioning Systems
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Air Brakes
- Electrical Systems
- Diesel Electronic Systems
- Torque Converters
- Power Shift Transmissions
- Hydraulics
- Hydrostatic Drives
- Steering and Suspension
- Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
- Diesel Engine Overhaul
- Dyno Testing
- Diesel Tune-Up
Students learn how to diagnose, test, and repair diesel engine systems using technical manuals, hand tools, and some of the most advanced electronic and computerized testing equipment available on the market today.
The Diesel Technology Course Outline
The curriculum of the Diesel Technology program contains the following courses:
- Safety Orientation (OSHA 10)
- Basic Power Trains & Cab Air Conditioning
- Basic Engines
- Brakes-Hydraulic and Air
- Electrical Systems
- Torque Converters & Power Shift Transmissions
- Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
- Hydraulics, Hydrostatic Drive, Steering & Suspension Systems
- Major Diesel Engine Overhaul, Dyno Testing & Tune-Up
Students are also required to take Technical Math, Technical Writing, Interpersonal Communication, Intro to Computer Applications and Concepts, and either Ethics in the Workplace or Psychology in order to fulfill the 74 credit hour requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete every course and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
What to Expect After College
Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Salina Area Technical College can expect to secure an entry-level position in the construction, agriculture, railway, and over-the-road truck repair industries at an estimated starting salary of $30,000 to $40,000 annually. As the diesel industry continues to grow rapidly, job opportunities for qualified diesel mechanics is expected to increase 11% by the year 2020, as fast as average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists working in the United States in 2014 was $45,160, while the mean salary for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists employed in the state of Kansas was $43,490 yearly and $20.91 hourly, just 4% lower than the national average.
The Two-Year Associate of Applied Science Degree
Salina Area Technical College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology. This program is Pell Grant eligible.
*Program is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).