Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology major teaches you to maintain diesel trucks, buses and heavy equipment. Diesel technology programs cover diesel engines, hydraulics, electrical systems, brakes, drivetrains and preventive maintenance for trucks and heavy equipment.

A Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology major includes coursework in diesel engines, hydraulics, electrical and electronic systems, air brakes, and drivetrains and more. You build skills such as diagnostics, hydraulic repair, electrical troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance. Typical degrees: certificate and associate degree.

Typical courses include diesel engines, hydraulics, electrical and electronic systems, air brakes, drivetrains, and preventive maintenance. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology is offered as certificate and associate awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years and an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate and associate degree. In the latest federal data, 258 colleges reported certificate awards and 196 colleges reported associate awards.

Career paths connected to diesel and heavy equipment technology include diesel mechanic, heavy equipment mechanic, farm equipment mechanic, automotive service technician, and transportation equipment electrician. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include diesel mechanic (typical training: 6–24 months), heavy equipment mechanic (typical training: 1–2 years), farm equipment mechanic (typical training: 1–2 years), automotive service technician (typical training: 6–24 months), and transportation equipment electrician (typical training: Training program plus months on the job).

Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology majors build skills such as diagnostics, hydraulic repair, electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and safety.

Good pairings include Business (prepares you for fleet or shop management).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as diesel mechanic, heavy equipment mechanic, and farm equipment mechanic, and enjoy subjects like diesel engines and hydraulics. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes diesel engines, hydraulics, and electrical and electronic systems; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

308 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

Texas (28), California (21), Georgia (16), North Carolina (16), and Kentucky (13), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

256 of the colleges that offer diesel and heavy equipment technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology teaches you to maintain diesel trucks, buses and heavy equipment. Mechatronics and Robotics combines mechanics, electronics and programming to build and maintain automated systems. Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology leads to careers such as diesel mechanic and heavy equipment mechanic, while Mechatronics and Robotics leads to careers such as mechatronics technician and industrial maintenance technician.

Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology teaches you to maintain diesel trucks, buses and heavy equipment. Precision Machining and CNC teaches you to make precision parts with manual and computer-controlled machines. Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology leads to careers such as diesel mechanic and heavy equipment mechanic, while Precision Machining and CNC leads to careers such as CNC machinist and CNC operator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to diesel and heavy equipment technology, such as Diesel Mechanic Training.