Ferris State > Associates Degree Heavy Equipment 
College of Engineering Technology
Ferris State University
1009 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, Michigan MI (USA) 49307-2280
Phone: (231) 591-2890
Email: Heavy_Equipment@ferris.edu
The Heavy Equipment Associates Degree Program is a 2 year program that provides a foundation of technical skills required for entry level service technicians, fleet managers, and test and research engineers. The curriculum within the heavy equipment associates degree program is designed to emphasize hands-on skill development in heavy equipment, as well as, fundamental knowledge in technical theory, mathematics, physical science, behavioral science, and communication. The associates degree heavy equipment 2 year degree program is located in a modern 53,000 square foot facility, which is one of the largest and best equipped heavy equipment college vocational training centers in the United States. The HEQT aas degree heavy equipment associates degree program emphasizes heavy equipment service for the agricultural, construction, forestry, trucking, and auxiliary industries.
Due to the technology revolution within the heavy equipment industry, the Heavy Equipment
Department implemented a one-of-a-kind Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology
Program the only HSET BS degree program of its kind in the nation. Our AAS degree
heavy equipment programming provides hands on training and instruction that develops
the knowledge and skills required to test, diagnose, service, and repair multiple
interfacing and technically sophisticated electrical/electronic systems used on heavy
equipment in the agricultural, construction, forestry, stationary power and trucking
industries.
If you have an affinity for math and physical science and would like to have an exciting career that would continually challenge your 2 year degree heavy equipment knowledge and skills, we invite you to join us and begin with our 2 year degree heavy equipment associates degree program. The heavy equipment associates degree program prepares college students to enter the workforce as a heavy equipment technician. However, the majority of AAS heavy equipment graduates to on to the heavy equipment bachelor's degree program to earn a bs degree in Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology.
The heavy equipment industry focuses on maintenance and repair of the diesel powered
equipment other many industries rely on in order to operate on a daily basis. These
industries include agriculture, construction, mining, marine, and of-road and over-the-road
trucking. Industry requirements today, and in the foreseeable future, continue to
significantly elevate the skill demand in the area of electronics, computers, log
processing and communications. Companies are increasingly filling openings, with highly
educated candidates who are prepared to meet the challenges and demands of the constantly
changing heavy equipment industry.
Heavy equipment 2 year degree technicians keep diesel and gasoline-powered equipment moving freight, earth and people; pumping water for irrigation; drilling for oil; powering farm tractors; and generating electrical power. Earn a 2 year associates degree in heavy equipment and learn not only to diagnose malfunctions and repair engines, 2 year degree heavy equipment technicians also repair and service fuel injection systems, electrical and electronic systems, hydraulic systems, brakes, steering systems and power transmission systems.
Under the guidance of industry trained instructors, AAS degree heavy equipment students enrolled in the associates degree heavy equipment technology program learn to use shop manuals, reference charts, diagnostic instruments and special tools to diagnose heavy equipment malfunctions and also perform preventative maintenance tasks. Heavy equipment associates degree students are taught to identify problems through measurement and observation, interpret data collected and decide on a course of action. In hands-on labs, aas degree heavy equipment students repair, replace or adjust components and perform preventive maintenance tasks. Knowledge and skill-development concentrations in our associates degree heavy equipment program also includes inspection, diagnostics, repair/rebuild of all types of heavy-duty equipment and mechanical and electronic components.
Increased use of heavy equipment in the agriculture, trucking, construction and auxiliary power industries has created a widespread need for qualified 2 year degree heavy equipment technicians. Estimates suggest less than half of the current demand for heavy equipment technicians is being met, so skilled associates degree heavy equipment graduates are already in high demand.
Fleet maintenance, farm equipment, truck rental and construction equipment repair industries as well as independent repair shops are only some of the employers for our heavy equipment associates degree graduates. AAS degree heavy equipment technicians also work at stationary power plants, marine engine companies and manufacturers of heavy equipment.
Graduates of the Heavy Equipment Associates Degree Program at Ferris are immediately employable by the heavy equipment industry. The heavy equipment aas degree program also serves as the major preparatory program for the B.S. degree in Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology.
The Heavy Equipment associates degree program at Ferris State leads to an associate degree in applied science. Heavy Equipment Associate Degree Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA in core heavy equipment classes, in the major and overall. AAS degree heavy equipment students must complete all general education requirements as outlined on the General Education website.
The Heavy Equipment Technology (HEQT) Associates degree program was implemented in 1959 in old army barracks with a single teacher. Today the 2 year degree heavy equipment classes are located in a modern 53,000 square foot facility, which is one of the largest and best equipped in the United States. The HEQT program emphasizes heavy equipment service for the agricultural, construction, forestry, trucking, and auxiliary industries. Due to the technology revolution within the heavy equipment industry, in 1991 the Heavy Equipment Department implemented a one-of-a-kind BS Degree Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology (HSET). To this day, HSET is still the only BS degree of its kind in the nation. HSET programming provides instruction to develop the knowledge and skills required to test, diagnose, service, and repair multiple interfacing and technically sophisticated electrical/electronic systems used on equipment in the agricultural, construction, forestry, stationary power and trucking industries.
If you have an affinity for math and physical science and would like to have an exciting career that would continually challenge your knowledge and skills, we invite you to join us and be a part of our organization of heavy equipment technical professionals.
College of Engineering Technology
Ferris State University
1009 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, Michigan MI (USA) 49307-2280
Phone: (231) 591-2890
Email: Heavy_Equipment@ferris.edu
