Southwest Debuts New "Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology" Program

Southwest has introduced a new academic program, "Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology," consisting of a two-year associate degree and a one-year technical certificate. In light of the Mid-South's recent industrialized growth, the program is designed primarily to train maintenance technicians in the fields of manufacturing, industrial process control, distribution, warehousing, and transportation. Several local companies have already expressed a strong interest in the new program.

Optionally, students can request a prior learning assessment of their college-level coursework and industrial experience. This can reduce the number of courses that students are required to take for the associate degree or technical certificate.

The program utilizes state-of-the-art online Amatrol® e-Learning training along with hands-on training with industrial-grade laboratory equipment. Student learning outcomes were specifically designed to satisfy the needs of local industries. Students will gain skills in areas such as pneumatics, hydraulics, piping, mechanical drive components, electrical machinery, power distribution, instrumentation, industrial process control, quality control, statistical process control, preventive maintenance, and programmable logic controllers utilizing PLCs from Allen-Bradley® and Siemens®.

Special emphasis is always placed on workplace safety and industry best-practices. Students pursuing the two-year associate degree will take 60 credit hours of coursework. Technical certificate students will take 19 credit hours of coursework. All of the coursework in the technical certificate program is also part of the associate degree program.

Southwest fall classes will begin on August 24. Contact Garry Spencer at (901) 333-4150 for more information about the new "Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology" program.

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