High Wage, High Demand
Turn your love for big engines into a high-paying career.
Trained diesel technicians are in demand!
Big rigs, big salaries, and a big future! Rev up your heavy duty career with DCTC.
Tuesday Campus Visit Requirement
All students applying for the transportation programs are REQUIRED to attend a Tuesday Campus Visit.
| Awards | Credits | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Duty Truck Technology - A.A.S. Degree | 78 cr. | Rosemount |
| Heavy Duty Truck Technology - Diploma | 70 cr. | Rosemount |
| Truck Fleet Maintenance - Certificate | 29 cr. | Rosemount |
| Program Datasheet: 2020-21 datasheets will be available soon. View the Academic Catalog page for datasheets from prior academic years. | ||
Students learn all aspects of heavy-duty truck repair and maintenance. The program focuses on large trucks, typically class 7 and 8. Areas of instruction include electrical and electronic systems, steering/alignment, foundation brakes, air brakes and anti-lock brake systems. Students perform diesel engine troubleshooting, overhauls and tune-ups on both mechanical and electronic engines. Clutch, transmission, drive axle repair and overhaul are taught along with welding instruction, preventive maintenance and HVAC. Students will be given the opportunity to obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL) and become a state of MN certified commercial vehicle inspector.
This program is accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Programs must undergo extensive evaluation and site visits by NATEF to receive and retain program accreditation.
This program offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Seek credit for life experience to accelerate your progress toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. Visit the Credit for Prior Learning page to learn more.
| Heavy Duty Truck Technology A.A.S. Degree • 72 credits |
Heavy Duty Truck Technology Diploma • 64 credits |
Truck Fleet Maintenance Certificate • 29 credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $179/cr. | $179/cr. | $179/cr. |
| Fees | $21.45/cr. | $21.45/cr. | $21.45/cr. |
| Tools/Equipment | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Textbooks | $600 | $600 | $400 |
| Personal Property Fee | $300 | $150 | $150 |
| Grand Total | $20,332.40 | $18,578.80 | $11,363.05 |
Each year, Dakota County Technical College and the DCTC Foundation make more than $200,000 in scholarships available to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Students looking for ways to help finance their college education can find part-time jobs on campus with various DCTC departments and programs. Deliver your completed Work-Study Application to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and search for openings at College Central Network Services. For more information, you can review Work Study Procedure.
Step 1: Apply now for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
DCTC's Federal School Code: 010402
Step 2: After receiving an official award letter from DCTC, you may apply online for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. Visit the Loans page for more information.
Technicians generally work a standard 40-hour week in well-lighted and well-ventilated shops. Truck fleet companies, dealerships and truck repair shops are major employers.
According to CAREERwise Education, Minnesota's career, education and job resource, employment for diesel engine specialists and truck and bus mechanics is expected to grow 13.9 percent in Minnesota by the year 2020, which is above the statewide average. CAREERwise: "This career attracts many people because of the high wages and the challenging work. Opportunities are good for those who have attended formal training programs. Those who have not attended these programs may have tougher competition for entry-level jobs."
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and/or universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program. DCTC has articulation agreements in place with a number of public and private colleges and universities.
MN Transfer.org is your official guide to a seamless transfer experience in Minnesota Higher Education. Use this resource to find agreements that DCTC has entered with other Minnesota State institutions.
Do you want to see how your courses transfer to programs at participating colleges and universities? Add the coursework you've taken and use Transferology to find out how it might transfer to any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account and create a plan now!
Whether you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or an international student or transferring from high school or a four-year university, DCTC will help you through the process. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
The Heavy Duty Truck Technology program at DCTC is active throughout the year and makes headlines in college publications. Read about student and alumni success as well as the accomplishments of our heavy duty truck instructors.
Dakota County Technical College student Matthew Foss received the second annual Mike Fritzen Memorial Scholarship. On March 1, representatives from Republic Services, who created the scholarship at the DCTC Foundation in memory of Mike Fritzen, presented a check of $1,000 to Foss, a Heavy Duty Truck Technology student.
Mike Fritzen was a past DCTC student who went on to become an industry leader and ended his career with Republic Services. After graduating from DCTC, Fritzen continued to support the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program as an active advisory member. Republic Services is recycling and waste disposal company. The company serves residential, municipal, commercial and industrial customers nationwide.
As a student in DCTC's Heavy Duty Truck Technology program, you can advance your professional development by networking with industry leaders and fellow technicians as well as through involvement in student organizations on campus.
Minnesota Trucking Association
Uniting truckers and their employees, contractors and allies, the Minnesota Trucking Association ensures that the trucking industry speaks with one voice in three key areas:
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization for students at community and technical colleges across the U.S. The organization focuses on students in academic programs that lead to careers in the trade, industrial, technical and health care fields. Nearly 100 SkillsUSA competitions at the state and national levels relate to leadership skills or programs of study at DCTC.
