Gateway 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 Gateway Community & Technical College is designed to help students who possess good problem solving and mechanical skills become tomorrow’s diesel mechanics.
Students learn diesel theory in the classroom and gain job-specific hands-on experience in the laboratory as they operate, service, and repair diesel engines, fuel injection systems, on-board computers, transmissions, steering and suspension systems, brake systems, mobile air conditioning systems, and learn preventive maintenance techniques.
Each student will also learn how to properly diagnose and repair the sophisticated electronic systems found on today’s diesel engines using the latest computerized diagnostic equipment, wiring diagrams, and hand tools.
Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Gateway Community & Technical College will be well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training needed to gain employment in truck dealerships, trucking companies, bus lines, and businesses that own and operate large truck fleets.
The Medium and Heavy Truck Technician A.A.S. Degree
The Medium and Heavy Truck Technician A.A.S. Degree program is made up 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 every class 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.
Job 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
Gateway Community & Technical College offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology as well as an 80-week Diesel Technology Diploma. Gateway Community & Technical College also offers six different 4-month Undergraduate Certificates with various specializations in Diesel Technology. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree program, the 80-week Diesel Technology Diploma program, and the two 48-week Undergraduate Certificates are all Pell Grant eligible.