Engineering: Automotive: Starting or Growing Your Business
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
SEMINOLE STATE IS YOUR LEARNING PARTNER FOR CAREER SUCCESS
What if you could start, grow, or relocate your business without worrying about skills shortages? What if you could easily find qualified local talent and access affordable high-quality training?
Seminole State College is a regional resource for start-ups, established employers and companies moving into Central Florida.
As your “Learning Partner for Career Success,” we are committed to delivering work-ready graduates and training options to support large corporate clients and small and medium-sized businesses.
With a steady stream of graduates each year in engineering technology and a pipeline of about 130 students per year, we can ensure a consistent supply of qualified employees so you can establish and grow your business.
MEETING WORKFORCE NEEDS: MECHATRONICS AND ROBOTICS
The mechatronics and robotics workforce is experiencing rapid growth and evolution, driven by increasing automation, AI and the need for specialized technical skills. Mechatronics and robotics play a key role in industries around the world including advanced
manufacturing, biomedical technology, aerospace and animation. The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Florida 2030 report estimates that the state will need to fill two million new jobs within the decade and of those jobs, 200,000 will require some type of mechatronics, robotics or animation skills.
Integrating project-based learning into the educational experience, the Mechatronics and Robotics Specialization within our Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Engineering Technology is preparing a skilled workforce for the jobs of the future.
OUR PROGRAMS
Our Engineering Technology, STEM and Industrial Technology Management degrees can be taken full-time or part-time. Full-time is listed for reference.
B.S. ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY (4 YEARS – FULL-TIME)
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering Technology prepares graduates with scientific and engineering knowledge including engineering graphics, computer programming, 3D modeling, applied thermodynamics and computer-aided design. The program emphasizes the application of existing scientific and engineering techniques to solve real-world problems. Students can specialize in
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
engineering and project management or mechatronics and robotics. The program culminates in a capstone course with students responsible for design, material selection, structural analysis and related calculations for an engineering problem or project.
Mechatronics and Robotics Specialization: This specialization within the bachelor’s degree combines mechanical and electrical engineering and prepares students for careers in robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing and other related industries. The specialization includes courses in programming, automation, control systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, computer operating systems and robotics.
Engineering and Project Management Specialization: This specialization prepares graduates to manage all aspects of the project life cycle from planning and design to implementation and operation. The Engineering and Project Management core courses focus on project planning, quality and risk management and team leadership, teaching students to communicate and collaborate effectively with engineers. With this specialization, students will be prepared to earn their Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, leading to career advancement and higher earnings. The median salary for PMP holders is 33% higher than those without this certification.1
Program cost: $7,828.45 in-state tuition and fees for candidates with an associate in arts or associate in science degree.
Careers: The market for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians is expected to grow by 11.8% by 2032. Our bachelor’s degree graduates are equipped with the
technical and durable skills to move into the following careers:
ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREES (2 YEARS – FULL-TIME)
Associate in Science, Architectural Engineering Technology teaches the engineering and design requirements for a project within the built environment and provides a strong math and science foundation that will prepare students for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. With an understanding of the basic principles and technical aspects of the industry, graduates of the program will typically work for an architect, engineer, contractor or subcontractor.
Associate in Science, Computer-Aided Design Technologies provides a broad base of technical and software skills in AutoCAD and Revit. Emerging technologies and innovative software applications such as VDC, BIM and Naviswork are embedded in the technical electives which are chosen to customize the desired career pathway. A required internship provides students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical, work-related applications and to develop proficiency in AEC industry software.
Associate in Science, Engineering Technology offers a broad foundation in engineering technology and the technical skills needed to support engineering activities, particularly in the design, testing and manufacture of products, systems and devices. Graduates of this program possess the skills necessary to specify, install, test, operate, maintain and document basic mechanical systems.
Graduates can complete certificates during their A.S. degrees and continue to pursue their bachelor’s degree in engineering technology.
Associate in Science, STEM offers a sequence of rigorous courses to prepare graduates for careers or continuing higher education in chemistry, biology, engineering or pharmacy. Courses complement the associate in arts degree for students who require in-depth science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills and internships.
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Associate in Science, Industrial Technology Management prepares graduates who already have a vocational education and want to advance their careers by completing a degree. With an A.S. in Industrial Technology Management, graduates can become first line supervisors or project managers in their chosen career field with courses on communication, engineering technology, computing, project management and quality control.
Program Cost: $6,245 in-state tuition and fees. Additional fees may apply for online and laboratory courses.
Careers: A.S. graduates are hired as:
• Architectural Engineering Technicians
• Civil Engineering Technicians
• Drafters
• Civil Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Technicians
• Electrical Engineering Technicians
• Industrial Engineering Technicians
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Project Managers
COLLEGE CREDIT CERTIFICATES
College credit certificates do not require an associate or bachelor’s degree. They can be taken by students or professionals in the workforce to advance their skills. Certificates can be applied toward an A.S. or B.S. degree and include:
• Computer-Aided Design Technician II (22 credits – cost $3,296*)
• Engineering Technology Support Specialist (18 credits – cost $2,879*)
• Mechatronics (30 credits – cost $4,132*)
• Pneumatics, Hydraulics and Motors for Manufacturing (12 credits – cost $2,253*)
• Sustainability (18 credits – cost $2,879*)
COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
The Engineering Technology degree has allowed Seminole State to partner with Seminole County Public Schools magnet programs to introduce hundreds of students to STEM-related fields. There are currently nearly 100 dual enrolled high school students through the College’s partnership with the Academy of Engineering at Lyman High School.
Seminole State also partners with local industry to offer training in this field. Since 2018, the College has worked with Universal Orlando to train ride and show operators in mechatronics and robotics. Through this partnership, Universal employees can earn an Associate in Science degree in Engineering Technology along with certificates in Engineering Technology Support Specialist, Mechatronics and Automation from Seminole State. For additional workforce skills training, as of Spring 2025, the Universal cohort also has the option to earn the three certificates plus the College’s new certificate in Pneumatics, Hydraulics and Motors for Manufacturing without the A.S. degree. About 175 Universal employees have earned credentials from Seminole State since this partnership began. This is just one of the industry collaborations that focus on preparing students for prestigious careers within the engineering field and meeting workforce demand.
INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING
For employees who have an associate or bachelor’s degree, *Tuition costs are based on number of credit or program hours for programs in the current term for in-state students. Book expenses may vary by course. Lab fees and other fees may apply.
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
“I came into Seminole State not knowing where a degree would lead me, and I am proud to say that Seminole State College has led me to my dreams. I am very thankful for my professors for inspiring me and driving my ambitions.”
—Grace Calderon Santiago, A.A aerospace engineering pathway; NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar
Seminole State offers professional certifications, courses and programs for non-degree-seeking students from its Institute for Training, ed2go.com/seminole. These Education to Go courses in a range of business and technical subjects enable you and your employees to easily cross-skill and up-skill to meet business need.
For employees who want to reskill, upskill or embark on a degree, we provide flexible and convenient study options with over 40 fully online Associate in Science (A.S.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees and certificate programs so your employees can go back to college while working full- or part-time. These academically robust, affordable, online and hybrid programs and certificates enable you to retain employees while they level up their skills. Many Seminole State courses and programs are eligible for tuition reimbursement if this benefit is offered by employers.
WORKFORCE-READY GRADUATES
Seminole State graduates are equipped to Go Far. A Seminole State College education is not limited to formal skills training. Students also learn critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, innovation and creativity, effective communication, ethical reasoning and cross-cultural interaction, equipping them to be professional, wellrounded employees.
A.S. graduates from Seminole State have a 95 percent placement rate in their field within one year of graduation, evidence of their workforce readiness.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Seminole State College is in the top one percent of community colleges in the nation and is one of the country’s top 10 community and state colleges as recognized by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence in 2025.
FOR MORE INFO
Engineering Technology Programs: Dr. Adam Stark
Academic Dean, Center for Computer and Engineering Technology
Phone: 407.708.2852
Email: starka@seminolestate.edu
seminolestate.edu/engineering
Career Center: Candace Lehmann
Assistant Director, Career Center
Phone: 407.708.2033
Email: careerdev@seminolestate.edu
Center for Business Development/Institute for Training: Amy Kirkland, Associate Vice President, Resources & Economic Development
