Industrial Systems Specialist
Unique in the State
Technical Diploma
28 Credits | 1 Year
Financial Aid-Eligible
New Richmond
Manufacturing
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Graduates install, troubleshoot, program and repair electrical, light mechanical, and computer systems used in industry to control and automate machines or processes. The equipment that you will deal with controls machines used in manufacturing and equipment used to control continuous processes. Examples include power utilities, petrochemical and chemical, paper, plastics, municipal water and wastewater, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, and control equipment support by vendors and engineering firms.
As a graduate, you can secure employment as Field Service Engineers, Automation Engineers, Instrumentation Technicians, Electricians, Control Systems Programmers, Control Systems Designers, Process Operators, Automation for Industrial Systems Technicians and Maintenance Technicians.
Program Overview
This program is intended and recommended for individuals with a background in electrical equipment, electricity, or IT. Process and manufacturing plants employ technicians to keep their machines and processing running and install and maintain equipment. With this one-year technical diploma, you will be prepared to be employed at the technician level or higher on industrial computer networks, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and process instruments. You will have both classroom and hands-on laboratory instruction with several systems to gain an understanding of controller and PLC interfacing, control systems and network installation.
Program Outcomes
Industrial Systems Specialist graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe practices and techniques
- Perform installations of controls hardware/software/cabling
- Perform programming and configuration of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCSs)
- Integrate control systems
- Troubleshoot hardware/software of PLCs, instrumentation and control systems
- Develop system documentation
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
Information is presented in a classroom setting and then applied in the lab. Equipment used in the lab is kept current to match what is being used in industry. You will learn how to install and set up a variety of common industrial networks.
High-demand job.
Hands-on education.
Industrial networking skills.
Academics
Industrial Systems Specialist classes are offered at the New Richmond campus in a traditional classroom and lab format.
Career Pathways
As an Industrial Systems Specialist student at Northwood Tech, you will earn a technical diploma that can be applied in its entirety to an associate degree in Automation for Industrial Systems.
Club Activities
You can join the International Society of Automation Club and participate in field trips and regional competitions. Other clubs include Veteran’s Club and Student Senate.
Unique in the State
There is no other program like this in Wisconsin. You'll gain a specific set of skills that employers in this field look for in an employee.
Required Courses
Program-specific subjects covered include process control, instrumentation, PLC programming, and supervisory control. Other topics include industrial networking, power electronics, and supervisory and distributed control concepts.
Featured Industrial Systems Specialist Courses
Industrial Systems Specialist is Part of a Career Pathway
As an Industrial Systems Specialist student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!
This is the program you're looking at.
You can continue your education to earn an associate degree.
Transfer your credits to earn a bachelor's degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Industrial Systems Specialist
28 Credits | 1 Year
$4,755
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Industrial Systems Specialist Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn an Industrial Systems Specialist technical diploma. Continue your education at Northwood Tech in the Automation for Industrial Systems associate degree.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
