Catawba Valley College

Relevant Degree Programs

In addition to the programs and classes listed below, check out our Skill Certification section for additional training options.

2550 US Highway 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
828-327-7000

General Occupational Technology

The General Occupational Technology curriculum provides individuals with an opportunity to upgrade their skills and to earn an associate degree by taking courses suited for their occupational interests and/or needs. The curriculum content will be individualized for students according to their occupational interests and needs. A program of study for each student will be selected from associate degree level courses offered by the College.

Graduates will become more effective workers, better qualified for advancements within their field of employment, and become qualified for a wide range of entry-level employment opportunities.

All courses must be taken from approved associate of applied science (AAS), diploma or certificate programs.

GENERAL EDUCATION (15 SHC)
Degree programs must contain a minimum of 15 semester hours including at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. Degree programs must contain a minimum of 6 semester hours of communications. Diploma programs must contain a minimum of 6 semester hours of general education; 3 semester hours must be in communications. General education is optional in certificate programs.

MAJOR HOURS (49 SHC)
Program Courses
The student must complete a minimum of 49 SHC from a combination of major courses for curriculums approved to be offered by the college.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS), diploma, and certificate programs must include courses which offer specific job knowledge and skills. Work experience, including cooperative education, practicums, and internships, may be included in a degree or diploma program up to a maximum of 8 semester hours and in a certificate program up to a maximum of 2 semester hours.

OTHER REQUIRED HOURS(0-7 SHC)
Other subjects or courses may be required to complete graduation requirements. These requirements may include electives, orientation, or study skills courses.

TOTAL SHC (64-76 SHC)
The total number of semester hour credit must include a minimum of 64 hours and a maximum of 76 hours.

Automotive Systems Technology

The Automotive Systems Technology curriculum prepares individuals for employment as automotive service technicians. It provides an introduction to automotive careers and increases student awareness of the challenges associated with this fast and ever-changing field.

Classroom and lab experiences integrate technical and academic course work. Emphasis is placed on theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control, and manual drive trains.

Upon completion of the curriculum, students should be prepared to take the ASE exam and be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive service industry.

Courses required to meet graduation requirements for the Associate in Applied Science Degree are offered during day hours.

Courses required to meet graduation requirements for the Diploma are offered during afternoon and evening hours.

Minimum time for completion: Day - seven semesters full-time attendance; Evening - six semesters full-time attendance.

The Associate in Applied Science degree or Diploma is awarded graduates of this curriculum.

Industrial Systems Technology

The Industrial Systems Technology curriculum is designed to prepare or upgrade individuals to safely service, maintain, repair, or install equipment. Instruction includes theory and skill training needed for inspecting, testing, troubleshooting, and diagnosing industrial systems.

Students will learn multi-craft technical skills in blueprint reading, mechanical systems maintenance, electricity, hydraulics/pneumatics, welding, machining or fabrication, and includes various diagnostic and repair procedures. Practical application in these industrial systems will be emphasized and additional advanced course work may be offered.

Upon completion of this curriculum, graduates should be able to individually, or with a team, safely install, inspect, diagnose, repair, and maintain industrial process and support equipment. Students will also be encouraged to develop their skills as life-long learners.

CVCC's course selection maximizes the usage of courses taught in other diploma programs. Courses required to meet graduation requirements in this curriculum are offered during day and evening hours. Minimum time for completion: Day - four semesters full-time attendance; Evening - eight semesters full-time attendance. With the inclusion of appropriate courses in English, math, and humanities, the student will earn the Associate in Applied Science degree.

Electrical/Electronics Technology

The Electrical/Electronics Technology curriculum is designed to provide training for persons interested in the installation and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

Training, most of which is hands-on, will include such topics as AC/DC theory, basic wiring practices, digital electronics, programmable logic controllers, industrial motor controls, the National Electric Code, and other subjects as local needs require.

Graduates should qualify for a variety of jobs in the electrical/electronics field as an on-the-job trainee or apprentice assisting in the layout, installation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems.

Courses required to meet graduation requirements in this curriculum are offered during day and evening hours.

Minimum time for completion: Day - two semesters full-time attendance; Evening - four semesters full-time attendance.

The Diploma is awarded graduates of this curriculum.

Electronics Engineering Technology

Minimum time for completion: Daytime - five semesters full-time attendance; Evening - ten semesters full-time attendance.

The Associate in Applied Science Degree is awarded graduates of this curriculum.

The Electronics Engineering Technology curriculum prepares individuals to become technicians who design, build, install, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electronic components, equipment, and systems such as industrial/computer controls, manufacturing systems, communication systems, and power electronic systems.

A broad-based core of courses, including basic electricity, solid-state fundamentals, digital concepts, and microprocessors, ensures the student will develop the skills necessary to perform entry-level tasks. Emphasis is placed on developing the student's ability to analyze and troubleshoot electronic systems.

Graduates should qualify for employment as engineering assistants or electronic technicians with job titles such as electronics engineering technician, field service technician, maintenance technician, electronic tester, electronic systems integrator, bench technician, and production control technician.

Machining Technology

The Machining Technology curriculum is designed to develop skills in the theory and safe use of hand tools, power machinery, computerized equipment, and sophisticated precision inspection instruments.

Students will learn to interpret blueprints, set up manual and CNC machines, perform basic and advanced machining operations, and make decisions to ensure that work quality is maintained.

Employment opportunities for machining technicians exist in manufacturing industries, public institutions, governmental agencies, and in a wide range of specialty machining job shops.

Mechanical Engineering Technology-AAS Degree
Courses required to meet graduation requirements in this curriculum are offered during daytime hours. Minimum time for completion: Daytime - four semesters full time attendance. The Associate in Applied Science Degree is awarded graduates of this curriculum.

The Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum prepares graduates for employment as mechanical technicians.

Typical assignments would include assisting in the design, development, testing and repair of mechanical equipment. Emphasis is placed on the integration of theory and mechanical principles.

Coursework includes applied mechanics, manufacturing methods and processes, computer usage, computer-aided drafting, mathematics, physics, and oral and written communications. The courses will stress critical thinking, planning, and problem solving.

Graduates of the curriculum will find employment opportunities in the diversified branches of the mechanical field. Mechanical engineering technicians are employed in many types of manufacturing, fabrication, research and development, and service industries.

Welding Technology - Diploma & Certificate

The Welding Technology curriculum provides students with a sound understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industry.

Instruction includes consumable and non-consumable electrode welding and cutting processes. Courses in math, blueprint reading, metallurgy, welding inspection, and destructive and non-destructive testing provides the student with industry-standard skills developed through classroom training and practical application.

Successful graduates of the Welding Technology curriculum may be employed as entry-level technicians in welding and metalworking industries. Career opportunities also exist in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision, and welding-related self-employment.

Courses required to meet graduation requirements in this curriculum are offered during afternoon and evening hours.

Minimum time for completion: six semesters full-time attendance. Students may begin any semester.

The Diploma is awarded graduates of this curriculum.

A Certificate is awarded graduates who complete the certificate program option.

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