Nearly all industries are becoming increasingly reliant on highly specialized, automated, and interconnected systems to increase productivity and quality. Become a part of this challenging and financially rewarding career field by enrolling in the Instrumentation and Controls Technology program at Southwest Tech which is one of only three offered in Wisconsin.
As a student in the Instrumentation and Controls Technology program you will learn how to install, configure, program, troubleshoot, and repair these complex systems. In addition, you will learn to about the instruments that control process variables such as pressure, level, flow, composition, and temperature. Graduates of this program have career opportunities in a variety of industries including energy, food, dairy, and manufacturing.
- Overview
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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
- Curriculum & Costs
- Requirements
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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
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.
- Outcomes
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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.
- Career Opportunities
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Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.
- Transfers
- Prior Learning
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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)CLEPCredentialPortfolio10-103-106 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 10-513-184 HACCP Training Current HACCP Certificate 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