Is This Program for You?

Are you detail orientated and mechanically inclined? Do you love problem solving and enjoy math and science? Do you like working with the latest technology? Answering “Yes” could mean that a challenging and rewarding career awaits you in the Instrumentation & Control field.

Students entering the Instrumentation and Controls Technology program should:

• Have an interest in math and science.
• Enjoy problem solving.
• Think creatively.
• Enjoy working with their hands.
• Have good hand-eye coordination.
• Enjoy working with people.
• Have good communication skills.
• Be detail-oriented.

Program Basics

• Associate degree
• Classes are offered daytime, face to face, and on campus
• Fall Start
• Financial aid eligible
• Credit for prior learning may be available

Related Degrees

• Electro-mechanical Technology
• Industrial Mechanic

Cost of Attendance (COA) 23-24

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
• To make sure your classes are the right fit, we consider any previous college credit you've earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
• Admissions Preference Policy

  Priority for program acceptance will be given in this order until January 1, 2024:

  1. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College District Residents (permanent address is in one of Southwest Tech’s 30 school districts the College serves) Southwest Tech District Information
  2. Non-District State Residents
  3. Out-of-State Residents

Helpful Academic Background

• Math and science
• Written and oral communications
• Electricity, electronics or mechanics

Program Fees

• This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
• Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
• Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.

Additional requirements

Students must have eye wear protection (safety glasses with side shields or wrap around safety glasses over prescription glasses) and must meet OSHA Z87.1 or greater while they are conducting operations that are deemed hazardous in nature. These glasses can be purchased at the College Bookstore.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Document Processes and Procedures
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and automation systems and devices
• Field calibrate process instrumentation
• Setup, install, and integrate instrumentation and automation systems and devices
• Configure smart instruments using HART communication protocol

Some employers will require CPR and/or First Aid.

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Instrumentation and Controls Technology Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
10-103-106	Beginning Microsoft Excel
	Any Microsoft MOUS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL
10-103-118	Intermediate Microsoft Excel
	Any Microsoft MOUS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL
10-150-126	Premises Cabling Technician
	FOA Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT)
10-513-184	HACCP Training
	Current HACCP Certificate
10-620-156	Fiber Optic Cabling Technician
	FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT)
10-801-195	Written Communication
	College Composition CLEP test would also be accepted for credit. However, the challenge exam is the preferred method.
10-801-197	Technical Reporting
10-804-113	College Technical Math 1A
	CLEP Test - College Math
10-804-114	College Technical Math 1B
	CLEP Test - Pre-Calculus
10-809-172	Introduction to Diversity Studies