Overview
Narrative
Today's manufacturing environment is clean, fast-paced and always changing to stay competitive. Manufacturing today also requires more technical knowledge than in the past. That's why it is important to stay on top of the latest trends and methods involved in manufacturing, technology, and continuous quality improvement. For those just entering the field, it's also vital to have hands-on operating skills specific to at least one area of manufacturing.
The Applied Quality and Standards program was developed with the assistance of local manufacturing experts. Their input assures that graduates of our program are highly skilled and knowledgeable in today's manufacturing and quality assurance practices.
Graduates new to manufacturing will gain a new set of skills and knowledge qualifying them as, quality inspectors or technicians, and manufacturing engineering technicians. Existing manufacturing personnel who graduate from this program will become better qualified as technicians, auditors, supervisors, and managers of Quality, manufacturing group leaders, and process technicians.
Most Major courses are offered during the day in the fall and spring. All other courses are offered both day and evening.
Features
The program focuses on providing practical industry-specific training in well-equipped manufacturing and quality assurance labs. While students study areas of Quality such as Total Quality Management, statistical process control, ISO 9000 standards, and auditing, they also learn to apply this knowledge to specific types of manufacturing through hands-on technical electives. If you have existing skills in manufacturing, you may be able to gain credit through testing to challenge the technical electives requirement.
The associate's degree program includes a series of required general education courses. These classes prepare you to assume a greater role in working with people and other departments in your organization. The well-rounded education you receive increases your potential to grow into supervisory or management positions.
The work-based internship near the end of the degree program can be carried out with your employer or with another approved organization. During your internship, you'll apply your manufacturing and quality skills and knowledge to a production or process operation, experiencing the dynamics found only in an actual organization.
If you're interested in continuing your education to the bachelor's degree level, you may transfer your credits from this program to the following programs:
- Franklin College B.S. in Applied Management (web-based)
- California University of Pennsylvania B.S. in Industrial Management (web-based)
- Penn College of Technology B.S. in Technical Management
- Penn College of Technology B.S. in Welding and Fabrication Engineering Technology
Check with your advisor for more information and options in course selection.
If you have existing skills in manufacturing, you may be able to gain credit through testing to challenge the technical electives requirements and introductory courses
Requirements
No special requirements are needed to apply for this program.
Contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for further information.
Career Potential: Quality Control Technician, Process Technician, leading to Manufacturing Supervisor, Quality Supervisor Manufacturing Engineer.