Overview
Automation Engineering Technicians are experts who have the ability and knowledge to design, develop, and manage systems within the manufacturing industry. The technician ensures quality, efficiency, and consistency through quality control analysis. They also provide maintenance and operational support, troubleshooting and problem resolution, install new equipment, implement control strategies and assist in commissioning and debugging complex machine applications.
The Automation Engineering Technology high-demand program combines current curriculum from both the existing and successful Automation Controls and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Welding and Manufacturing programs. Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree could return for a third year and earn an additional degree in either Welding and Manufacturing or SCADA.
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Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
0
Semesters
First Semester
WMT201Quality & Productivity Improvement2 credits
WMT230Welding Robotic Lab3 credits
WMT231Manual Machining Lab3 credits
WMT240Manuf Programming & Installation3 credits
SSS100Student Success1 credit
Total Semester Hours12 credits
Second Semester
WMT250Laser Cutting Technology3 credits
WMT251CNC Machining Station Lab3 credits
WMT260Advanced Machining4 credits
CPR100First Aid, CPR AED0.5 credits
Total Semester Hours10.5 credits
Third Semester
EC105Data Cabling3 credits
IST230Data Visualization4 credits
SD225Intro To SCADA Software4 credits
SD229Networking Concepts I3 credits
SD259Adv Programmable Logic Controllers4 credits
Total Semester Hours18 credits
Fourth Semester
SD205Process Controls3 credits
SD239Advanced Industrial Networking3 credits
SD270SCADA Testing Control Lab7 credits
Total Semester Hours13 credits
In addition to the technical courses required in the program, the student seeking an AAS degree must also complete:
Computer Elective3 credits
Math Elective3 credits
Communications Elective3 credits
Behavioral Science Elective3 credits
Social Science Elective3 credits
OSHA Training1 credit
Total Semester Hours16 credits
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 an Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,400 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 an 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.
Faculty
Josh Renken
Program Director / Instructor
Contact
Dale Moke
Instructor
Contact
Cost
$
4000
Program Tuition & Fees*
Other Required Costs
| Laptop | $1,150 |
| Books / Tools (estimated) | $2,488 |
Scholarships
$750
1 AVAIL.
SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship
SD Municipal Electric Association
All programs eligible.
Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area.
$1000
7 AVAIL.
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy
The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to Power Line and Electrical Utilities and Substation recipients on their second semester account, and for Automation Controls/SCADA and Natural Gas Technology recipients accounts the following Fall semester.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants must be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs:
Power Line
Electrical Utilities and Substation
Automation Controls/SCADA
Natural Gas Technology
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must complete the MTC Current student online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship.
$1000
2 AVAIL.
South Dakota Wheat Commission
South Dakota Wheat Commission
The South Dakota Wheat Commission began offering scholarships for Culinary Academy of South Dakota, Animal Science, Ag Business, Agronomy, Precision Technology, and SD Center for Farm and Ranch Management program students in 2014.
The Commission has been an active supporter of several Mitchell Technical College programs for several years and has provided financial support for equipment and program development.
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology
Applicants must be currently enrolled as first year full-time students in the Culinary Academy of South Dakota or Agronomy programs, with second choice being Ag Business, Animal Science or Precision Technology
Applicants must complete the MTC current student online application during the open enrollment period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher
Award considerations include academic performance, financial need, responses to essay questions and recommendations from instructors.
Ag award preference would be to someone who comes from or has plans to go into production agriculture, specifically wheat production
Culinary Academy of South Dakota award preference would be students interested in the baking side of the program
$1000
4 AVAIL.
Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships
Martin and Maude Osterhaus established this endowed scholarship in 1995 to provide financial support for at least four deserving Mitchell Tech students each year.
The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.
Accounting
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 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
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 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
Applicant must be a currently enrolled first year full-time student in any two year program
Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form)
Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
Applicant must have good leadership skills
$1000
5 AVAIL.
Northwestern Energy Scholarships
NorthWestern Energy has been an active supporter of Mitchell Tech through donations of scholarship funds and equipment since 2003.
The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to PL accounts the Spring semester and the following Fall semester for ECM, SCADA and WTT two-year program recipients.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants can be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs:
Electrical Construction and Maintenance
Power Line Construction and Maintenance
SCADA
Wind Turbine Technology - 2 year
Natural Gas Technology
Applicant must complete the MTC online application and submit references if required during the open application periods as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above
$1000
1 AVAIL.
Mitchell Tech Retiree Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship was established by the former faculty and staff of Mitchell Tech.
Accounting
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
Human Services Technician
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
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
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
Human Services Technician
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
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be enrolled full time at MTC.
Applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
Applicant must complete the MTC Online application during the open application period to be eligible to receive this scholarship.
