Associate in Applied Science in Power Plant Technology Degree
Start Date: Fall Semester
OSUIT’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Power Plant Technology degree is a career-oriented power plant operator training program designed to prepare those interested in becoming power plant operators for employment in the electrical power generation industry.
The AAS in Power Plant Technology program ensures job readiness upon graduation through a built-in internship semester and site visits to real power plants, providing the extensive hands-on training you need to qualify for a power plant operator job.
Over the course of this six-semester program, students learn from expert faculty the fundamentals of power plant systems and control, industry regulations and best practices, and advanced power plant operations for enhanced energy generation.
What is a Power Plant Operator?
Power plant operators monitor and control the electricity-producing machinery in power plants like generators and turbines. Power plant operators are essential to the energy generation industry. They efficiently distribute power output from multiple sources and manage the flow of energy from the plant based on fluctuating consumer demand for electricity or in response to outages.
The average salary for power plant operators in 2020 was $89,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the top 10% of earners being paid more than $120,000, power plant operators can be a lucrative profession. The qualifications needed to work in a power plant as an operator include extensive on-the-job experience and a strong understanding of subjects like math and science.
Power Plant Technology Associate Degree Outcomes
OSUIT’s Associate in Applied Science in Power Plant Technology focuses on clean-burning natural gas combined-cycle plant operations, supplying students with essential industry knowledge strengthened by extensive hands-on training with cutting-edge equipment. Graduates of this degree program acquire the skills needed to successfully and efficiently operate power plant machinery and diagnostic equipment to distribute and regulate power flow.
Throughout the AAS in Power Plant Technology at OSUIT, you’ll learn:
- How to ensure power plant facilities comply with industry safety and environmental regulations
- The reading, understanding, and application of electrical, mechanical, and computerized systems used in the energy industry
- Operation and maintenance of energy-generating water systems and the necessary chemical process that occur
- How to operate plant equipment and systems in order to synchronize the plant to the power grid
- Advanced power plant operations, including how to perform corrective action in abnormal situations that may occur
- How to present your level of technical knowledge and marketable skills during preparations for entering the job market
Why Earn a Power Plant Technology Degree at OSUIT
OSU Institute of Technology is located nearby ten different power plants where students have a unique opportunity to experience power plant operations up close, and students pursuing the AAS in Power Plant Technology experience many benefits.
Built-In Paid Plant Operator Internship
Complete your power plant operator internship training during the Associate in Applied Science in Power Plant Technology program’s third semester. OSUIT’s exclusive industry partnerships allow students to apply and refine their skills in a paid capacity, earning a paycheck while fulfilling their degree requirements. Find out how OSUIT’s built-in internship semester translates to useful industry connections.
Power Plant Site Visits
Students in the Power Plant Technology AAS degree program will have the ability to tour multiple power plants all within an hour’s drive of OSUIT campus. During this unique portion of the degree curriculum, students can have conversations with real power plant operators as well as find opportunities to invite industry experts to campus as guest speakers.
Near-100% Job Placement Post-Graduation
Backed by career-oriented capstone projects, OSUIT students graduate ready to take on the job market. Almost 100% of OSUIT graduates report job placement six months after earning their degree.
Learn from Experienced Instructors
OSUIT faculty teaching in the Power Plant Technology AAS program have extensive industry experience, instructing students according to the latest technologies and standards. Meet the Power Plant Technology program faculty.Competitive Tuition Rates & Financial Aid for AAS Degrees
Affordable education is an investment in your career. With in-state tuition of only $5,800 and various financial aid options available, an AAS degree at OSUIT is just that. Review OSUIT tuition costs and financial aid opportunities—from federal to state-funded.
Graduate Faster With Prior Learning Credit
With prior industry experience or transferable academic credits, you can shorten the time it takes to get your AAS degree. Learn if you can save on time and tuition by qualifying for prior learning credit.
Power Plant Technology Degree Program Curriculum
The AAS in Power Plant Technology degree offers a curriculum incorporating core industry-specific courses, relevant math, chemistry, and communication subject matter, as well as valuable on-the-job experience, ensuring students have a well-rounded education that prepares them for their career.
Students in OSUIT’s Power Plant Technology program train using cutting-edge equipment and the latest technology, both in the OSUIT power plant facilities and during power plant site visits with partnering companies. Between rigorous academic curriculum and a semester-long internship, students experience various forms of hands-on instruction.
In the Power Plant Technology degree program, OSUIT students complete 89 credit hours over six semesters. Along with fundamental and advanced power plant operations courses and two capstone projects, the AAS degree curriculum includes general education courses that provide a greater knowledge base, setting you apart from the competition.
These are examples of classes you’ll take in the AAS in Power Plant Technology:
- Intro to Electrical Electronics
- Fundamentals of Energy Industry
- Power Plant Computer Operations
- Piping and Instrument Diagrams
- Advanced Plant Operations
- Boilers and Prime Movers
- Plant Controls and Permissives
How to Apply To OSUIT’s Power Plant Technology Degree Program
If you’re interested in starting your career as a power plant operator backed by OSUIT’s world-class facilities, exclusive internship opportunities, and expert faculty, filling out your application is the next step.
Generally, admission criteria for the AAS in Power Plant Technology includes some high school coursework or job experience, but admissions requirements vary depending on the student and the program.
Review OSUIT's admission requirements for first-time college students, transfers, and international students.
Learn More about OSUIT’s AAS in Power Plant Technology
Earning an Associate in Applied Science degree in Power Plant Technology at OSUIT is a sure way to begin your career as a power plant operator rich in hands-on experience and advanced technical knowledge. See for yourself why our graduates experience nearly 100% job placement in their field.
For more information about the AAS in Power Plant Technology, contact an enrollment advisor at 918-293-4742, or request more information today.
About Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Founded in 1946, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a recognized leader in applied technology education and is known for world-class teaching facilities, partnerships with industry and a nearly 100 percent career placement rate.
OSUIT programs of study are approved by the Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University and the A&M Colleges, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma State Accrediting Agency. OSUIT, a public state-supported institution, has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1975.