Florida Keys Community College to Offer a New A.S Degree in Renewable Energy

The statewide A.S. degree in Engineering Technology just expanded its frontiers with Florida Keys Community

College’s latest degree addition, an Associate in Science (A.S.) in Engineering Technology in Renewable Energy. The two-year degree provides a broad, versatile foundation in engineering, plus specialized career training for fast-growing, high paying careers in solar, wind, and hydropower technologies. Students will benefit from real-world practice in professional internships at partnering organizations that are located as nearby as Stock Island and as far away as Australia. New students are required to submit their application no later than August 3 in order to begin classes this fall semester, which begins August 18. Scholarships and payment plans are available. For more information, visit www.fkcc.edu/engineeringtechnology or contact FKCC’s Office of Recruitment at 305-809-3207 or recruiter@fkcc.edu.

FKCC’s A.S. degree in in engineering technology was developed with assistance from a grant for $894,321 from the

National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF awarded the grant to the College to utilize the Keys’ natural resources—specifically sun, water, and wind—to generate and study green energy as well as train workers for new, cutting-edge technology jobs. “It’s exciting that FKCC will be at the forefront of training the Twenty-First Century workforce for lucrative and nationally in-demand renewable energy jobs,” said Dr. Patrick Rice, FKCC’s Department Chair for the Engineering and Technology program Chief Science and Research Officer. “Additionally, research conducted by FKCC students and our industry partners will contribute to future development of energy production. The Florida Keys can become a demonstration to the world on how to live sustainably with the environment.”

The statewide framework for the A.S degree in Engineering Technology (ET) degree program was developed by

FLATE in partnership with community colleges and industries across Florida and in close partnership with the Florida Department of Education Division of Adult and Career Education to address a growing need to supply manufacturers and high technology industries with qualified, highly skilled workers in the foreseeable future.The degree has 3 major components: (I) general education; (II) an ET technical core; and, (III) specialization tracts that address regional industry needs. The ET Core aligns with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council Certified Production Technician (MSSC-CPT) national certification. The statewide articulation agreement provides 15 credit hours of the ET Core for anyone enrolling in the degree program and having a current CPT credential. Therefore, anyone in the country who holds a valid MSSC-CPT credential can graduate with the A.S. Engineering Technology degree after completing 45 instead of the required 60 credit hours. Building on this credential or the ET core courses, students take specific courses related to one of eight specialized technical tracks in their second year of study. College credit technical certificates aligned to each of the specialization tracks provide additional flexibility for students to earn while they learn. 

For more information visit fl-ate.org/programs/stackable-credentials, and madeinflorida.org/engineering-technology-degree, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org. For information about the program at FKCC visit the program website at www.fkcc.edu/academics/as-engineering-technology, or contact Director of Public Relations, Amber L. Ernst-Leonard at amber.ernestleonard@fkcc.edu/305.809.3531.