Tooling and Manufacturing Technology, A.A.A.S.

GRCC Program:

Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences

The Tooling and Manufacturing Technology program prepares technicians for employment in the modern tooling and manufacturing industry. The manufacturing segment of our economy continues to offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities. The automation of manufacturing equipment and processing continues to change the world of work, requiring technicians to have increased skills. The manufacturing of products creates thousands of secure technician-level jobs each year, most of which do not require a four-year degree.

Students will learn both the soft skills and technical skills needed to be a successful technician. Soft skills include teamwork, problem solving, quality principles and communication skills. Technical skills (based on National Skill Standards) include machine tool operations, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming, Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

Program graduates are prepared to become manufacturing engineering technicians, skilled tradespersons (tool and die or mold makers), or CNC programmers. These positions often pave the way for a career as an engineering technician; in manufacturing management, industrial sales, or technical training; or owning and operating a company.

Students can customize the Tooling and Manufacturing Technology program to meet their educational and training needs.

The program offers the following features:

1. Challenge exams are available for most courses.
2. Advanced-standing credits are available for many high school students.
3. Work experience can be gained through Co-op classes.
4. Several career tracks are available to students.
5. Enrollment may be part-time or full-time, days or nights.

The following courses may be taken in any order and at any time they are available as long as prerequisites are met. However, students are expected to confer with a faculty advisor and to base choices on both their own goals and the strength of their previous work experience. At least 62 academic credits are needed for graduation.

Students seeking an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences degree are required to complete the following course requirements:

First Year

Second Year

Total Credits: 62

* Students intending to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program should take MA 107 , MA 108  instead of TE 103  and TE 104 . Also, they should take COM 131  instead of COM 135 ; and PH 125  instead of TE 114  or PH 115  to satisfy the transfer institution’s requirements.

** Students taking MA 108  will be required to take 15 career track elective credits to meet the 62 credit minimum.

Career Track Electives

A student must take a minimum of 14 credit hours from any of the following Tooling/Manufacturing tracks or electives:

Transfer Opportunities:

The Transfer Guide for many bachelor’s degree majors offered at Michigan colleges and universities is available at the Counseling and Career Center and online at www.grcc.edu.