New Engineering Program to Begin This Fall at Wallace State

CONTACT: Gail Crutchfield, Communications and Marketing, Wallace State Community College, 256.352.8064, gail.crutchfield@wallacestate.edu
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — This fall Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala., will open its new engineering technology program, becoming the first two-year college in the area to offer an associate in applied science degree in engineering technology. The college will also offer short-term certificates specializing in certain areas of engineering. These short-term certificates can be earned separately or in conjunction with the associate in applied science degree.
Instructor Kristi Bain said members of their advisory council and members of industry helped point the college in this direction as a response to changes in the industry. Bain said engineering technicians are being utilized more than ever as they take on a larger workload to free up time for engineers.
Bain noted that a recent survey of an engineering employment site showed openings for 259 engineering technician jobs just in the state of Alabama. She added the starting salary for qualified engineering technicians range from $45,000 to $60,000.
The 73 credit hours required for the associate in applied science degree can be obtained in five semesters, Bain said. Short-term certificates for engineering technology in architecture, mechanical/civil, construction project management and construction can be obtained in about a year. The 24 credit hours required for the short-term certificates are all engineering related courses, with no academic classes needed for the certificate programs.
Bain is excited for the program and all of the options it opens for students. She said the program offers students insight into several areas of engineering as they narrow down their career choice. They can use their time at Wallace State to earn an associate degree and some classes that will transfer for four-year degree in engineering. They can earn a short-term certificate they can use in the field as they decided whether to go forward with a two-year or four-year degree.
“They can spend two years with us and get a feel for where they need to be, go into the industry, earn a decent living and decide if they want to go on and earn a four-year degree,” Bain said. “Either way, they are a step ahead.”
Bain said students earning a degree or certificate from Wallace State’s engineering technology program could find jobs where they design projects or work on problem solving. They can be lead designers or project managers.
The college is in the process of obtaining state-of-the-art 3D printers and they have obtained or adding AutoCAD software BIM, Solid Works and Solid Edge. Wallace State is also working with National Association of Women in Construction on its advisory committee to promote women in the construction industry.
For more information about the engineering technology program at Wallace State can contact Bain at 256.352.8165 or Todd Hardman at 256.352.8146.
Registration for fall semester is underway. Classes begin August 19.
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Kristen Holmes
Director, Communications & Marketing
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8118 direct
256-352-8314 fax 256-339-2519 cell
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu