Overview
Eligible Program
careers
- Control System Developer
- PLC and HMI Programmer
- Industrial Electrical Controls Technician
- Automation Systems Technician
- Automation Application Programmer
- Automation Engineer Technician
Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition, known in the industry as SCADA, is emerging as one of the fastest expanding areas of industry today. This Mitchell Technical College program teaches students to use computers to collect management data and to design, build, and repair automated systems. Industries are placing greater emphasis on remotely controlling switching devices, gathering accurate inventory data, managing the operation of electrical devices, measuring and metering electrical systems, and automating routine tasks.
The successful student in this program will demonstrate a variety of skills and abilities, including reasoning, both inductive and deductive; researching; visual color discrimination; communicating through various means, like telephone, written documents, email, and in person; repairing and maintaining electronic equipment; and keeping up to date with new knowledge.
SCADA technicians will find employment in electric power utilities, gas companies, water systems, security systems, and industrial applications. Graduates will install and maintain remote switches and communication devices, or operate computer networks to control remote switches.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Optional Third-Year — Automation Engineering AAS
Requirements
Computer Requirements
This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,150 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into a Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
Outcomes
- Conduct simple mechanical repairs on typical electromechanical systems, install new system modifications, and return the system to operational specifications.
- Diagnose electronic system problems using appropriate test instrumentation, schematics, technical reference manuals, and determine if fault is electrical, electronic, software, or mechanical in nature. Recommend appropriate repair process and initiate repair.
- Properly and safely operate digital multimeter test equipment.
- Repair electrical and electronic systems, from devices, subsystems, wiring/cabling to circuit board level and return equipment to correct operation.
- Integrate electro/mechanical equipment into electronic and computer controlled systems.
- Design, construct, program, implement, and troubleshoot a proper operating SCADA network system utilizing appropriate security practices.
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2025-26 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Faculty
Instructor
Program Coordinator / Instructor
Cost
Other Required Costs
Laptop/Software $1,875
Books / Tools (estimated) $1,146
Scholarships
$500
Lisa Jolliff Memorial Scholarship
- 1 Available
- Kelly Sterk and Tammy Hanson
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Must complete the online MTC Foundation scholarship application.
Preference is given to students with limited funding opportunities and/or social supports.
$2500
Jack & Donna Steele Family Scholarship
- 1 Available
- Jack & Donna Steele Family
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Must complete the online MTC Foundation scholarship application.
$500
Graves Family Scholarship
- 1 Available
- Dr. Joe Graves
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
$1000
Xcel Energy
- 7 Available
- Xcel Energy
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships
- 4 Available
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Social Services
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
Northwestern Energy Scholarships
- 5 Available
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
Mitchell Tech Retiree Endowed Scholarship
- 1 Available
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
Office Technology Specialist
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Social Services
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
Laverne & Nell Tollefson Memorial Scholarship
- 2 Available
- Charlene Bainbridge
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Administrative Office Specialist
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Engineering Technology
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Diesel Power – Light Truck Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
On Campus
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Progressive Welding Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
Small Business Management
Social Services
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
John And Diane Weber “Career Change” Endowed Scholarship
- 2 Available
- John and Diane Weber Family and Friends
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Social Services
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$500
Daniel Roy Todd Memorial Scholarship
- 1 Available
- Daniel Todd Family
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
BPO Elks #1059 Endowed Scholarship
- 1 Available
- BPO Elks #1059
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
Thomsen Family Endowed Scholarships
- 4 Available
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$500
The Vickers Family Scholarship
- 1 Available
- Chad & Jennifer Vickers
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
SCADA/ Automation Controls
Power Line Construction and Maintenance
On Campus
$500
MTC Freshmen Scholarship
- Mitchell Tech Staff and Faculty
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
Mitchell Area Manufacturing Association (M.A.M.A.)
- 1 Available
- M.A.M.A.
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Machining and Manufacturing
$1000
Jeffrey L. And Trudiann Nelson Rural Electric Endowment
- 1 Available
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies