Program Description

The Diesel Technology Associate Degree program provides entry-level skills needed in medium and heavy truck service and repair. Learners will use troubleshooting techniques to make a quick and accurate diagnosis of problems and make necessary adjustments and repairs. Topics will include diesel engines, suspension and steering, preventative maintenance, electrical and electronic systems, HVAC systems, the drive train and hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$13,740
Tuition & Fees: $12,786
Books & Supplies: $954

Starting Salary

$31,200–$55,120
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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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%
at Wausau
30-40%
at Antigo
20-30%
at Medford
30-40%
at Phillips
20-30%
at Spencer
20-30%
at Wittenberg
20-30%
at Online

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

Prerequisites

This program requires proof of a Federal Medical (FedMed) card, which is issued after you complete a Department Of Transportation (DOT) physical with a registered, certified medical examiner. Students will also be subject to pre-enrollment drug and alcohol screening, as well as random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident screening. Certain industries do not require a Federal Medical Card. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for further information. Additionally, students must complete a Motor Vehicle Record evaluation to be approved for operating an NTC vehicle.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Document complaint, cause and correction
  • Practice personal and professional work habits
  • Service major systems in diesel and heavy equipment industry
  • Repair major systems in diesel and heavy equipment industry
  • Diagnose major systems in diesel and heavy equipment industry

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Alignment Specialist
  • Fuel Injection Technician
  • Fleet Maintenance Technician
  • Diesel Technician

Courses

The Diesel Technology Associate Degree is a 69 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

Introduction To Welding 1.00
Diesel Electrical Systems 1 1.00
Diesel Brake Systems 1 1.00
Diesel Preventative Maintenance 1 1.00
Diesel Electrical Systems 2 2.00
Diesel Brake Systems 2 2.00
Heavy Duty Suspension & Steering 1 1.00
Heavy Duty Suspension & Steering 2 2.00
Diesel Preventative Maintenance 2 2.00
College 101 1.00

Second Term

Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00
Psychology Of Human Relations 3.00
Intro To Psychology 3.00
Diesel Engines 1 1.00
Diesel Drive Train 1 2.00
Diesel Drive Train 2 2.00
Diesel Electrical Systems 3 3.00
Diesel Engines 2 2.00

Third Term

Intro To Sociology 3.00
Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00

Fourth Term

College Physics 1 3.00
Fluid Power Systems 1: Fundamentals 1.00
Fluid Power Systems 2: Fundamentals Of Pneumatics 1.00
Diesel Emission Systems 2.00
Truck Driving 1 1.00
Diesel Electrical Systems 4 3.00
Diesel Brake Systems 3 2.00
Diesel Engines 3 3.00

Fifth Term

Fluid Power Systems 3: Design And Maintenance 1.00
Heavy Duty HVAC 3.00
Diesel Advanced Engine Diagnostics 2.00
Truck Driving 3 4.00
Truck Driving 2 4.00
Diesel Engines 4 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 Diesel Technology Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

School Name Degree Name
Milwaukee School of Engineering Bachelor of Technical and Business Management
Siena Heights University Bachelor of Applied Science
Southern Illinois University Bachelor of Automotive Technology
UW Platteville Bachelor of Industrial Technology Management

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2024–2025 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semesters — Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Expenses Student Living With Parents (Home) Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $3,008 $9,147
Books / Supplies $1,465 $1,465
Transportation $4,017 $4,017
Personal Expenses $3,608 $3,608
Loan Fees $85 $85
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance
In-State
$17,027
Out-of-State
$19,310
In-State
$23,166
Out-of-State
$25,449

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647
financialaid@ntc.edu

Additional Information

Most classes in this program take place at the Diesel Technology Center, located at 3353 Geischen Drive, Wausau, WI. When applying for this associate degree, you will need to select Wausau as the campus.

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.

Before you apply, you should know

  • Part of this program includes Truck Driving courses. These are currently offered at NTC’s CDL Training Center at 1204 W. Taylor St. in Merrill, WI.
  • Reviewing the Truck Driving Information Session is highly encouraged before enrolling in classes. To help you better understand the truck driving program, this session includes course information, DOT disqualifications, factors affecting employability, and drug & alcohol testing.
  • You must provide proof of legal status or citizenship to obtain a CDL through this program.
  • Maintaining a valid and clean driving record is important for your success in this industry.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

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 emailed to you.