Ferris State University's School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment is a leader in transportation education for more than 50 years. The School offers five majors – three Bachelor of Science and two Associate in Applied Science degrees – that lead to transportation careers for today and tomorrow. Each program is specialized with faculty skilled and trained in their specific area – such as alternative fuels, engineering, high performance testing, electronic controls, management, diagnostics and hydraulics to name a few.
Students are active in activities outside of the classroom. As a student you can participate in the Society of Automotive Engineers special vehicle teams. These national competitions give you a chance to design and build a vehicle and then compete against other engineering and technology schools. Ferris continues to be the host school for the SkillsUSA Michigan Diesel Equipment Technology competition.
Automotive Opportunities
Educational opportunities in Automotive include Bachelor of Science degrees in Automotive Engineering Technology and Automotive Management as well as Associate in Applied Science degree in Automotive Service Technology. As a student in Automotive Engineering Technology, you will learn to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills as it relates to developing, manufacturing and testing self-propelled ground vehicles. The Automotive Management degree focuses on providing the transportation industry with state-of-the-art technical and business managers for service, parts, sales, leasing, warranty and customer service relations positions. As a two year degree, Automotive Service Technology provides a foundation of technical skills required for entry-level service technicians.
Heavy Equipment opportunities
Ferris is the only school in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Heavy Equipment in our Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology major. If a two year degree suits your situation, then the Associate in Applied Science degree in Heavy Equipment Technology could be for you. As a student in Heavy Equipment Service Engineering Technology you will learn to combine the skills of creative thinking, mathematics and science to develop theories and then implement those using practical skills. You will learn in an environment taking you from basic mechanics to complex, computer-controlled interfacing intelligent systems. The Heavy Equipment Technology degree provides a foundation of technical skills required for entry-level truck and equipment service technicians, fleet managers and diagnostic technicians.