Program Costs*
Heavy Duty Truck Technology
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.
All students applying for this program are REQUIRED to RSVP for and attend a Tuesday Info Session. Sessions are now available both virtually and in-person.
| Awards | Credits | Course Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Duty Truck Technology - A.A.S. Degree | 78 cr. | On Campus |
| Heavy Duty Truck Technology - Diploma | 70 cr. | On Campus |
| Truck Fleet Maintenance - Certificate | 27 cr. | On Campus |
| Program Datasheet: Download the Heavy Duty Truck Technology Datasheet | ||
Students learn all aspects of heavy-duty truck repair and maintenance. The program focuses on class 7 and 8. Areas of instruction include electrical and electronic systems, emissions, steering/alignment, foundation brakes, air brakes and anti-lock brake systems. Students perform diesel engine troubleshooting, overhauls and tune-ups on 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 become a MN certified commercial vehicle inspector.
The Heavy Duty Truck Technology program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
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 • 78 credits |
Heavy Duty Truck Technology Diploma • 70 credits |
Truck Fleet Maintenance Certificate • 27 credits |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $197.34/cr. | $197.34/cr. | $197.34/cr. |
| Student Fees | $27.35/cr. | $27.35/cr. | $27.35/cr. |
| Textbooks | $1,000 | $800 | $500 |
| Tool Set | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Shirts | $164.70 | $164.70 | $164.70 |
| NOCTI Test Service Charge | $18.50 | $18.50 | n/a |
| DOT Certificate | $75 | $75 | n/a |
| Professional Industry Training Access Fee | $150 | n/a | n/a |
| Grand Total | $23,934.02 | $21,786.50 | $11,731.33 |
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 on Handshake. 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.
Major employers are truck fleet companies, dealerships and truck repair shops. Technicians generally work a standard 40-hour week in well-lighted and well-ventilated shops.
According to CAREERwise Education, Minnesota's career, education and job resource, employment for bus and truck mechanics is seeing high growth compared to other careers.
There will be a need for about 7,083 new Bus and Truck Mechanics to meet market demand between 2020-2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
If you are looking to bring in any college credit, visit our Transfer To DCTC Resource Page and DCTC will help you through the process.
If you are looking to transfer to a 4-year institution after completing your degree, DCTC can help you through the process! Check out our Transfer From DCTC Resource Page.
Transferology is used to find out how your courses might transfer to DCTC and any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account for free and create a plan now!
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.
