Southwest Texas Junior College

Diesel Technology  

The Diesel Technology program offered at Southwest Texas Junior College is designed to provide students with the specialized knowledge and mechanical skills necessary to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair today’s heavy-duty diesel engines and heavy-duty diesel powered equipment. The goal of the program is for graduates to be highly employable as entry-level technicians in a service shop or dealership before they exit the Diesel Technology program at Southwest Texas Junior College. 

In the classroom, students will learn diesel theory and the basic fundamentals of the diesel engine system, strengthening their thinking, reasoning, and communication skills through lectures, coursework, and class discussions. Students also develop all important English, technical writing, technical math, and career-relevant computer skills throughout the length of the program.

In the state-of-the-art training facility, students acquire the industry-relevant hands-on training needed to properly inspect, diagnose, and repair diesel engines, power trains, brake systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, electronic controls, hydraulic systems, steering systems, suspension systems, charging systems, starting systems, on-board circuits, and automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Students will also gain hands-on experience in failure analysis, as well as shop management and shop safety procedures.

By disassembling, inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling various diesel engines and their integrated equipment systems using computerized diagnostic machines, hand tools, gauges, lathes, lab scopes, electronic multi-meters, shop manuals, circuit diagrams, and power tools, students learn, hands-on, how to properly perform diesel engine rebuilds and tune-ups.

Strong communication skills, effective time management, and a positive workplace attitude will also be stressed throughout the program. Students will be expected to work both independently, and as a team, to successfully complete each task assigned to them by their instructors in an efficient, thorough, and timely manner. Shop safety and the proper handling of hazardous materials according to strict OSHA guidelines will also be discussed and practiced. The Co-op Education internship also allows students to gain real world job experience in their chosen specialized field before they even graduate from the Diesel Technology program at Southwest Texas Junior College.

Career Outlook 

Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Southwest Texas Junior College can be confident that they possess the education and training necessary to secure an entry-level position as a qualified diesel mechanic in the heavy-duty diesel truck and diesel powered equipment service and repair industry. Typical industry employers include, but are not limited to, truck and automobile dealerships, trucking companies, bus lines, construction companies, oil drilling companies, farms, ranches, and companies that rent or lease trucks.

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 Texas was $43,720 yearly and $21.02 hourly, just 3% lower than the national average.

The Associate in Applied Science Degree and Undergraduate Certificate

Southwest Texas Junior College offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology. Southwest Texas Junior College also offers a two-year Undergraduate Certificate in Diesel Technology, as well as a one-year Undergraduate Certificate in Diesel Technology. All three programs are Pell Grant eligible.