Energy Utility Technology, Certificate

Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5317
Curriculum Code: 2249
Campus Location: North
Engineering and Technologies Division

Career Opportunities/Further Education: Electric Utilities, Gas Utilities, all courses apply to the AOS in Industrial Technology

Program Description

This certificate program is designed to fill a critical need for qualified entry level workers in the Energy Utility industry. Job opportunities exist for overhead and underground line workers, meter workers, field service technicians and sub-station maintenance workers.

The program requires completion of 30 credit hours (+4 optional credit hours) of course work which could be completed either full-time or part-time. The full-time sequence is completed in two semesters. An optional Electric Power Overhead Construction (climbing school) course is offered during the summer, and would be a requirement for students seeking employment as an overhead electrical line worker. The part-time sequence can be completed in four semesters with climbing school done over the summer.

Program Competencies

Upon completion of a certificate in Energy Utility Technology, students will be able to:

• understand electrical principles, concepts, laws and rules and apply these to the analysis of circuit operation and failure determination;
• interpret electrical schematics;
• recognize electronic devices, their coded values and their function within a circuit;
• construct an electrical circuit given its schematic;
• properly select and use a variety of electronic instruments to measure and record data;
• understand and describe electrical power generation, transmission and distribution; and 
• illustrate knowledge of technical concepts and standards of the gas utility industry.

Department Notes

• All developmental and prerequisites must be taken in order to begin the core coursework.
• Some courses are taught by adjunct faculty who work for local utility companies. These courses run in the late afternoon or evening.
• Students must follow all safety protocols in the laboratory courses. The department reserves the right to immediately remove the student from laboratory course work and/or dismiss the student from the program if the department determines that the student is unable to provide safe laboratory practices.
• Students are responsible for providing transportation to off-campus industry sites utilized for energy utility technology training.
• Students must achieve a QPA of 2.0 in all required courses.
• Typical jobs in this field require students to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Certain criminal convictions may disqualify you.
• Most energy utility companies will perform criminal background checks and certain criminal offenses may disqualify you from working in this field.
• Part-time students should consult an academic advisor in the department to plan a course schedule.

Curriculum

Total Degree Credits: 30.0 - 31.0