Industrial Process Technician Certificate

Cerro Coso IWV campus

What can I do with this?

The Industrial Process Technician Certificate

  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the equipment in an industrial environment.
  • Learn their role as it applies to safety, health, and the environment.
  • Obtain a basic understanding of mathematical skills that apply to their daily duties.
  • Read and comprehend basic blueprints and schematics.
  • Develop an understanding of the proper use of tools used on the job.

You can use this to:

  • Enhance career opportunities in:
    • Petrochemicals and Refining
    • Food and Beverage Processing
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Bio-manufacturing
    • Paper and Pulp
    • Oil and Gas Exploration
    • Energy and Power Generation
    • Water and Waste Water Treatment
    • Chemical and Agricultural Manufacturing
    • Environmental Safety
    • Brewing and Distilling Process Industries
Stock Photo

What will I learn?

  • To apply important industry concepts and principles to draw conclusions about the roles and responsibilities of a process technician in an industry setting.
  • To read and interpret industrial drawings.
  • To apply important industry concepts and safe practices to draw conclusions about the roles and responsibilities of a process technician in an environmental setting.
  • To solve trade-related word problems using algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
  • To Identify tools and their appropriate use.

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.

Complete all of the following courses:

Repeat Status: Not repeatable

54 hours lecture. This course provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in reading and interpreting technical drawings used in an industrial environment. Principles of technical drawing are introduced along with standard symbols and abbreviations found in industrial drawings, schematics, and diagrams. Students produce technical sketches without the use of instruments.

Repeat Status: Not repeatable

54 hours lecture. This course introduces the practical mathematical skills needed in a wide variety of trade and technical areas. Basic use of scientific calculators to aid in solving real-world problems is included as well as how to use measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers, and meters.

Repeat Status: Not repeatable

18 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course prepares students to identify and properly use a variety of tools and equipment in an industrial environment. Emphasis is placed on safety and the use of the correct tool for a specific task. Students are given hands-on experience with many of the tools and equipment during practical lab exercises and demonstrations.

Repeat Status: Not repeatable

72 hours lecture. This course covers the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and the physical and mental requirements of the process technician. Students are provided with an overview of a typical process plant, identify process equipment, state the purpose of equipment, describe safety, health, and environmental components, and describe the roles, responsibilities, and work environment.

Repeat Status: Not repeatable

72 hours lecture. This course develops the knowledge and skills to reinforce the attitudes and behaviors required for safe and environmentally sound work habits. Emphasis is placed on safety, health, and environmental issues in the performance of all job tasks and regulatory compliance issues. Students list components of a typical plant safety and environmental program, describe the role of a process technician in relation to safety, health, and environment, and identify and describe safety, health, and environmental equipment uses.

Program Pathways

All classes needed for this certificate are available at the following campuses: Ridgecrest / IWV

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This certificate requires 16.0 units and will likely take 1 semester.

Approximate Total Costs

CA Residents

16.0 units

at $46 per unit

Equals $736 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $960* for books and supplies

Total cost $1,696 for 2 semesters

Non-residents

16.0 units

at $275 per unit

Equals $4,400 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $960* for books and supplies

Total cost $5,360 for 2 semesters

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.