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Automation Systems Technology

60-61 Credit* Associate Degree

The Automation Systems Technology Associate Degree prepares learners to work with integrated machine systems that involve industrial automation, robotics, mechanics, computers, industrial communications and/or electronics technology. Potential occupations include: Controls Designer, Automation Technician, Controls Technician and Engineering Technician.

Approximate Cost

$11,387
Tuition: $10133 , Books: $1254

Starting Salary

$33,280–$46,654
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Get Started

The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
Wausau
50-60%
Antigo
50-60%
Medford
50-60%
Phillips
20-30%
Spencer
20-30%
Wittenberg
20-30%
Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Integrate automation and mechanical control systems
  • Perform work safely
  • Communicate technical information
  • Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems and devices

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Automation Technician
  • Controls Technician
  • Engineering Technician
  • Controls Designer

Courses

The Automation Systems Technology Associate Degree is a 60-61 Credit* program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

FLUID POWER SYSTEMS 1: FUNDAMENTALS 1.00
FLUID POWER SYSTEMS 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF PNEUMATICS 1.00
MACHINE CONTROL 1: LADDER LOGIC FUNDAMENTALS 1.00
MACHINE CONTROL 2: MOTOR AND ACTUATOR CONTROL 1.00
MACHINE CONTROL 3: SENSORS AND MACHINE SAFETY 1.00
INDUSTRY WORKPLACE SAFETY 1.00
ELECTRICAL FABRICATION 1.00
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 1 - DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1.00
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 2 - ALTERNATING CURRENT ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1.00
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 4.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00
COLLEGE ALGEBRA W/APPS 3.00
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA W/APPS 4.00

Second Term

ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF ROBOTIC CONTROL 1.00
ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS 2: ROBOTIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND SOFTWARE 1.00
ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS 3: AUTOMATED ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEMS INTERFACING 1.00
PLC 1: PLC FUNDAMENTALS AND BIT BASED INSTRUCTIONS 1.00
PLC 2: TIMERS, COUNTERS AND PROGRAM CONTROL 1.00
PLC 3: DATA, MATH, SEQUENCER AND SHIFT INSTRUCTIONS 1.00
INTRO TO MICROCONTROLLERS 1.00
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 3 - ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS AND DEVICES 1.00
AUTOCAD ELECTRICAL 1.00
COLLEGE PHYSICS 2 3.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00

Third Term

INDUSTRIAL MOTORS 2: DC/AC VARIABLE SPEED MOTOR DRIVES 1.00
SERVO SYSTEMS 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS 1.00
SERVO SYSTEMS 2: MOTION CONTROL SYSTEMS 1.00
SERVO SYSTEMS 3: ADVANCED POSITION CONTROL AND INTEGRATION 1.00
PLC 4: ADVANCED INSTRUCTIONS AND PROGRAMMING 1.00
PLC 5: INDUSTRIAL NETWORKING 1.00
PLC 6: PLC, PAC AND PC AUTOMATION INTEGRATION 1.00
ETHERNET IP 1.00
FACTORY TALK ME VISUALIZATION FOUNDATIONS 1.00
NEEDS ANALYSIS 1.00
REMOTE IO FOR PLC APPLICATIONS 1.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00

Fourth Term

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS 1.00
SCADA SYSTEMS 1 1.00
CAPSTONE CELL INTEGRATION 4.00
ADVANCED DRIVE APPLICATIONS 1.00
INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY PLC PROGRAMMING 1.00
SCADA SYSTEMS 2 1.00
INTRODUCTION TO DIVERSITY STUDIES 3.00
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY 3.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Automation Systems Technology Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

The following transfer guides executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions are based on articulation agreements and are a guide to provide an easy way to understand how credits transfer.

School Name Degree Name
Colorado State University - Global Business Management
Colorado State University - Global Human Services
Colorado State University - Global Information Technology
Colorado State University - Global Project Management
Lakeland University Accounting
Lakeland University Business Administration
Lakeland University Communication
Lakeland University Computer Science
Lakeland University Criminal Justice
Lakeland University Food Safety and Quality
Lakeland University Hospitality Management
Lakeland University Management Information System
Lakeland University Marketing
Lakeland University Organizational Management
Lakeland University Psychology
Milwaukee School of Engineering Bachelor of Business Administration in Technical Sales
Northern Michigan University BS in Applied Workplace Leadership
Purdue University Global BS in Business Administration
Purdue University Global BS in Health Care Administration
Purdue University Global BS in Professional Studies
Rasmussen College Accelerated Business Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Business Systems Analysis
Rasmussen College Accelerated Criminal Justice - Leadership and Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Early Childhood Education Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Finance
Rasmussen College Accelerated Healthcare Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Human Services
Rasmussen College Accelerated Marketing-Digital Marketing
Rasmussen College Accelerated Supply Chain and Logistics Management
UW Green Bay B.A.S Organizational Leadership
UW Oshkosh BAS in Organizational Studies
UW Stevens Point Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership
UW Stout BS in Career, Technical Education and Training
UW Stout BS in Management
UW Whitewater Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. The $30.00 application fee is being waived at this time.

Apply Now

Then, submit one of the following

Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.

  • High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
  • ACT composite score of 18 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
  • Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
  • College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.

If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.