Program: Diesel Systems Technician (5826) (C.C.) - Florida State College at Jacksonville

Career Certificate (Clock Hour program)

Mission/Purpose

The mission of the Diesel Systems Technician program is to prepare students for employment or specialized training as a service technician by providing remarkable training and education for future professionals and their employers. The program provides instruction on theory and operation through courses that align with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification areas. Students completing this program will gain knowledge and skills that prepare them for distinctive success in a global economy.

The Program

The recent implementation of new federal emissions and safety regulations for diesel trucks, and equipment has increased the demand for highly skilled, truck and bus technicians.

The Diesel Systems Technician program is designed to provide the training you need to become a professional. The program is a total of 1,800 contact hours which can be completed in 16 months. This program also includes Diesel Systems Technician I (5836) (C.C.), a 1,050 contact hour certificate embedded that can be completed in three consecutive semesters. Coursework includes classroom theory, hands-on lab exercises, and internships using the latest technology to locate, diagnose and repair problems with electrical, mechanical, and computerized systems. The program is NATEF-accredited and will prepare you for ASE certification exams. Additionally, students who successfully complete the Truck Heating and Air Conditioning Systems course can earn EPA Section 609 Certification for mobile air conditioning systems.

A minimum grade of C or higher must be achieved in all professional coursework.

The Career

Having a successful career as a professional truck technician requires training and certifications. Completing this program will help you achieve both of these goals. Technicians with formal training and ASE or factory certifications typically earn more and have more opportunity for advancement.

Local employers contact us often to hire students and program graduates. Getting hired to work part time before you graduate is the ideal arrangement. Being able to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a live work environment allows you to develop your skills at a rapid pace. Our office can help put you in touch with employers who understand the value of this process and desire to work with our students in order to help develop a professional technician for their business.

Notice to prospective students: A poor driving record, certain felony convictions or not having a regular unrestricted driver’s license will adversely affect your employment opportunities as a diesel truck technician. Students are strongly encouraged to explore employment eligibility requirements for any career field before choosing and starting a program of study.

Application Procedure

Adult Basic Skills are a major criterion in a student’s completion of the program. In order to earn the Career Certificate, students must achieve or surpass the designated exit score(s) on an approved adult basic skills assessment or qualify for a waiver. Visit fscj.edu/assessment-and-certification/available-assessments for program exit scores. College Assessment and Certification locations and information can be found at fscj.edu/assessment. For students who need assistance in order to meet the exit requirement(s), the College offers remediation through tutoring, referral to online resources and/or completion of Academic Skills Building (ASB) coursework in Mathematics and Reasoning through Language Arts.

Need More Information? Contact:

Automotive and Diesel Technologies Department, (904) 633-8334 or autodiesel@fscj.edu.

Curriculum

Professional Coursework

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all Professional coursework.

Total Contact Hours: 1,800

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded a career certificate, students must have met the following requirements.

Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
Earn the required number of clock hours for the chosen program of study with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses that apply to the chosen program of study.
Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total clock hours required for a certificate’s program requirements as a student at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.
Meet or exceed the program’s exit score requirement(s), if applicable, or meet the criteria to earn a waiver.

Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.

A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates, since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
Students who enter under the (2023/2024) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2023/2024 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or corequisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.

Articulation

Upon successful completion of the program, students may receive articulated college credit toward the Industrial Management Technology (2378) (A.S.) degree. See the program description and official articulation agreement for credit award requirements. Students may pursue one or more certificates to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field, or pursue the A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you.