Associate in Applied Science in Truck Technician
Start Date: Fall and Spring Semesters
Invest in your truck technician or diesel mechanic career with the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Truck Technician degree (major in Diesel and Heavy Equipment) at OSU Institute of Technology.
This five-semester program is designed in collaboration with top-of-industry employers who partner with OSUIT’s School of Transportation and Heavy Equipment to prepare competent, professional truck service technicians and mechanics through a combination of technical mechanical training and built-in paid internships.
From small repairs and basic maintenance to pollution regulation compliance, graduates of OSUIT’s AAS Truck Technician degree program are trained to diagnose, repair, service, and maintain over-the-road trucks using TMC recommended procedures, special tools, and service information.
Enhancing your diesel mechanic training with an Associate in Applied Science from OSUIT enables you to connect with experienced faculty and get hands-on training that leads to post-graduation employment.
What is a Truck Technician?
Truck technicians, also known as diesel service technicians, truck mechanics, or diesel technicians, work in a field that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts will grow 8% from 2020 to 2030. These professionals diagnose and repair faulty diesel engines, identifying both electrical and mechanical problems and conducting system overhauls on trucks, buses, and other diesel engines.
OSUIT Truck Technician Program AAS Degree Outcomes
If you want to start working as a truck service technician or diesel mechanic, the qualifying experience and training you need can be a roadblock. According to the BLS, however, employers are increasingly hiring truck mechanics with postsecondary degrees from educational institutions. This is because graduates of AAS programs receive a well-rounded education and hands-on experience from top-of-industry employers.
The Associate in Applied Science degree awarded through OSUIT’s Truck Technician program is a valuable asset to those seeking a diesel mechanic career because in just two years. You graduate with essential technical skills, industry knowledge, and job experience gained through built-in paid internships during your final semester.
In the AAS degree, you’ll receive expert instruction in the following areas:
- Brake, electrical, and drivetrain systems
- Maintenance and inspection fundamentals
- Air conditioning and refrigeration systems and procedures
- Electrical system diagnostics and repair
- Diesel engine systems and diesel overhaul techniques
- Hands-on application of techniques
An AAS-level education also includes courses focusing on skills like communication, psychology, technical writing, math, and business practices, helping to open up higher-level opportunities. This enables you to successfully tackle duties like planning a repair procedure, interpreting diagnostic data, managing work orders, and interacting with customers.
After earning your Associate in Applied Science with a major in Diesel and Heavy Equipment from OSUIT, you won’t only be skilled in the latest technology systems and procedures, but you will also be prepared to understand new systems and components throughout your career, thanks to in-the-know faculty and OSUIT’s exclusive industry partnerships.
Review the complete truck technician AAS degree plan of study more information.
Why Choose OSUIT for Your Truck Technician AAS Degree?
Paid Truck Tech Job Experience While Earning Your AAS
The fifth and final semester of OSUIT’s AAS with a major in Diesel and Heavy Equipment degree program will have you complete an internship with one of OSUIT’s industry partners. You’ll be a paycheck-earning employee, applying the curriculum you’ve learned to real-world projects and learning more about job expectations in the truck service industry. Learn how OSUIT’s built-in internships lead to meaningful connections with employers.
Nearly 100% Job Placement Post-Graduation
OSUIT’s blend of expert technical instruction and hands-on training leads to nearly 100% of graduates finding employment within six months of graduation. Explore OSUIT career services and find job listings on the job board.
Easily Transfer Prior Credits
Through Prior Learning Assessments, you can save on tuition and shorten how long it takes to complete your truck technician Associate in Applied Science degree. Review the qualifications for credit for prior learning to get a head start on your truck mechanic training.
Get Mechanic Training from Expert Faculty
OSUIT faculty members are experts in their field, passing down valuable industry knowledge drawn from their diverse set of experiences and professional achievements. Meet the Diesel and Heavy Equipment truck technician program instructors.
Low Tuition Cost
When you enroll in an AAS degree at OSUIT, you can expect to pay around half the in-state tuition of other state universities, with tuition cost around $5,800. Review OSUIT’s tuition and fees.
Financial Aid for Your AAS at OSUIT
OSUIT is dedicated to making quality education a worthwhile investment. Financial aid awards, from state to federal-funded, allow students to access a more affordable college education. Explore scholarships and how students qualify for financial aid at OSUIT.
Diesel Technician and Mechanic Career Prospects
A large number of industries, from local government to wholesale trade, rely on freight shipping by truck, and the demand for skilled diesel mechanics who repair these vehicles is only expected to grow in the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck technicians in the diesel service industry earn $50,000 annually on average, with top earners getting paid over $75,000 a year, working in positions like:
- Bus and truck mechanics
- Diesel engine specialists
- Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics
- Diesel repair technicians
Whether you see yourself working at a diesel repair shop or for a truck fleet company, being a truck technician with diesel experience is a great way to work with your hands and find solutions to mechanical problems in innovative ways.
How to Apply to OSUIT’s Truck Technician Program
Start your journey of applied technology education with OSUIT’s AAS in Truck Technician program. Admissions requirements include some high school coursework, and submitting test scores is optional.
Whether you’re a traditional first-time student, a transfer student, or even an international student looking to begin your diesel truck service technician career, review the admissions information packet, application deadlines, and the application process.
Learn More about the Truck Technician AAS Degree at OSUIT
Pursue a rewarding career as a truck technician in the diesel mechanics industry backed by the expert instruction, industry connections, and hands-on experience of OSUIT’s Associate in Applied Science in Truck Technician program with a major in Diesel and Heavy Equipment.
To learn more, request information about the truck technician degree program, or chat with an enrollment advisor by calling 918-293-5150.
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.