Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Let Truck Driving Schools Info Connect You With a Quality Diesel Mechanic School Near You!
The schools in our network hold one or more of the following quality standards:
- Hands-On Training
- ASE Certified Instructors
- Nationally Recognized Accreditation
- Job Placement Assistance for Those Who Qualify
Just click the orange "Find Your School!" button below and request information from the schools near you. Hurry! Classes are filling up fast!
Diesel Technology
The Diesel Technology program at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College provides students with the education and training needed to become highly skilled diesel mechanics in today’s rapidly changing diesel industry.
In-depth classroom lectures and job-simulated hands-on training aid each student in developing the analytical and mechanical skills required to secure and hold an entry-level position in the diesel industry. Students learn about the various aspects of the diesel-powered system including diesel engines, fuel injection systems, steering and suspension, electrical systems, electronic systems, hydraulic fluid power, heavy duty drive train, transmissions, on-board computers, undercarriage, mobile air conditioning systems, heavy duty brakes, and even preventive maintenance. Each student will also develop valuable workplace skills such as peer-to-peer communication and teamwork.
Using electronic diagnostic equipment, technical manuals, and hand tools, each student will learn how to properly diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix the sophisticated computer systems found on today’s diesel engines.
Students who successfully complete the Diesel Technology program at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College will be highly skilled and well-qualified to seek an entry-level position as a diesel mechanic in diesel repair shops, truck sales and service dealerships, agricultural equipment dealerships, construction companies, mining companies, and state highway departments.
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree Program
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program consists of the following technical core classes:
- Computer/Digital Literacy
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
Students are also required to take Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Heritage/Humanities in order to meet the 54 credit requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree Program
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program consists of the following technical core classes:
- Computer/Digital Literacy
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
Students are also required to take Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Heritage/Humanities in order to meet the 54 credit requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree with Agricultural Technician Track
The Agricultural Technician Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program is made up of the following courses:
- Computer/Digital Literacy
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment Lab
- Introduction to Maintenance Welding Lab or
- Welding for Maintenance and
- Welding for Maintenance Lab or
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Lab
Students are also required to take Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Heritage/Humanities in order to meet the 64 credit requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree with Construction Equipment Technician Track
The curriculum of the Construction Equipment Technician Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program contains the following classes:
- Computer/Digital Literacy
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
- Introduction to Maintenance Welding Lab or
- Welding for Maintenance and
- Welding for Maintenance Lab or
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Lab
- Undercarriage Lab
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment Lab
Students must also take Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Heritage/Humanities in order to fulfill the 67 credit hour requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. Students are required to complete every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree with Medium and Heavy Truck Technician Track
The Medium and Heavy Truck Technician Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program consists of the following technical core classes:
- Computer/Digital Literacy
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
- Brakes
- Brakes Lab
- Steering and Suspension
- Steering and Suspension Lab
Students are also required to take Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Heritage/Humanities in order to meet the 64 credit requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete each class and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Construction Equipment Technician Diploma
The Construction Equipment Technician Diploma program is made up of the following technical classes:
- Computer/Digital Literacy course or
- Demonstrated Competency
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment Lab
- Introduction to Maintenance Welding Lab or
- Welding for Maintenance and
- Welding for Maintenance Lab or
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding and
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Lab
- Undercarriage Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
Students must also take Written Communication, either Oral Communication or Humanities/Heritage, Social/Behavioral Science, and either Natural Sciences or Quantitative Reasoning in order to fulfill the 58 credit hour requirements of the Diploma program. Students are required to complete every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Agriculture Equipment Technician Diploma
The Agriculture Equipment Technician Diploma program consists of the following courses:
- Computer/Digital Literacy course or
- Demonstrated Competency
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Introduction to Maintenance Welding Lab or
- Welding for Maintenance and
- Welding for Maintenance Lab or
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding and
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment
- Powertrain for Construction Equipment Lab
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
Students are also required to take Written Communication, either Oral Communication or Humanities/Heritage, Social/Behavioral Science, and either Natural Sciences or Quantitative Reasoning in order to meet the 55 credit hour requirements of the Diploma program. In order to graduate, students must complete every course and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Medium and Heavy Truck Technician Diploma
The curriculum of the Medium and Heavy Truck Technician Diploma program contains the following courses:
- Computer/Digital Literacy course or
- Demonstrated Competency
- Climate Control
- Climate Control Lab
- Basic Electricity for Non-Majors and
- Basic Electricity Lab for Non-Majors or
- Basic Automotive Electricity and
- Basic Automotive Electricity Lab or
- Circuits I
- Preventive Maintenance Lab
- Introduction to Diesel Engines and
- Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab or
- Engine Repair and
- Engine Repair Lab
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Diesel Engine Repair Lab
- Hydraulics and
- Hydraulics Lab or
- Fluid Power and
- Fluid Power Lab
- Power Trains
- Power Trains Lab
- Steering and Suspension
- Steering and Suspension Lab
- Brakes
- Brakes
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment and
- Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab or
- Electrical Systems and
- Electrical Systems Lab
Students are also required to take Written Communication, either Oral Communication or Humanities/Heritage, Social/Behavioral Science, and either Natural Sciences or Quantitative Reasoning in order to meet the 55 credit hour requirements of the Diploma program. Students must finish each course and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
How to Enroll into the Diesel Technology Program
All students who are interested in enrolling in the Diesel Technology program at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College must:
- Provide an official copy of your ACT scores.
- Complete the application for admission either online or in person.
- Send their high school or GED transcripts to SKCTC.
- Meet with the Diesel Technology department faculty.
Diesel Industry Outlook
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 Kentucky was $40,650 yearly and $19.54 hourly, just 10% lower than the national average.
The Associate in Applied Science Degree, Diesel Technology Diploma, and Undergraduate Certificate
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology. Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College also offers three separate Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Diesel Technology with an Agricultural Diesel Technician concentration, a Construction Equipment Technician concentration, and a Medium & Heavy Truck Technician concentration. Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College also offers three separate 64-week Diesel Technology Diplomas with an Agriculture Equipment Technician concentration, a Construction Equipment Technician concentration, and a Medium and Heavy Truck Technician concentration. Finally, Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College offers twelve different Undergraduate Certificates with various specializations in Diesel Technology. The Associate in Applied Science Degree programs, the Diesel Technology Diploma programs, and the 32-week Undergraduate Certificate programs are all Pell Grant eligible.