Southwest Mississippi Community College
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Diesel Equipment Technology
The Diesel Equipment Technology program at Southwest Mississippi Community College is an instructional program designed to teach students how to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment such as medium and heavy commercial trucks, agricultural equipment, and construction equipment. The Diesel Equipment Technology curriculum is based upon the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification for Medium and Heavy Truck Technician Training Programs.
Each student will learn the fundamentals of diesel equipment mechanics in the classroom while they obtain valuable hands-on experience inspecting, repairing, and maintaining diesel engines, power trains, hydraulics, and other system components, on the shop floor. Students develop their analytical and mechanical skills as they diagnose, disassemble, inspect, repair, and reassemble diesel engines and system components using computerized diagnostic machines, sophisticated instruments, technical manuals, wiring charts, and hand tools.
Students also learn ethics in the workplace, developing strong communication and leadership skills as they work together to solve the problems that arise with each guided task.
From Graduation to Occupation
Graduates of the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Southwest Mississippi Community College will be equipped with the knowledge and training needed to secure entry-level employment as bus, truck, and heavy equipment service technicians in the fast growing, rapidly changing diesel industry. As of the 2011-2012 academic year, 100% of the students accepted into the Diesel Equipment Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree program at Southwest Mississippi Community College graduated and 100% of those students also found employment not long after graduating.
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 Mississippi was $36,430 yearly and $17.51 hourly, 19% lower than the national average.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree and Undergraduate Certificate
Southwest Mississippi Community College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Equipment Technology as well as a one-year Undergraduate Certificate in Diesel Equipment Technology. Both programs are Pell Grant eligible.