Diesel Technology AAS Degree

Kickstart Your Career

Dive into the Diesel Technology program to work on trucks, farm machines and construction gear. Master the art of fixing and maintaining powerful diesel engines. Get hands-on with engines, hydraulics, and more to keep big machines running smoothly and make a real impact!

Apply at Hawkeye Today

Diesel Technology AAS Degree At a Glance

Award
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree
Length of Study
2 years
Total Program Credits
72
Classes Meet
Daytime
Face-to-Face
Program Start
Fall semester
Classes begin August 19, 2026

Diesel Powers Our World

11.3M

Diesel Trucks on U.S. Roads

75%

Of Farm Equipment Powered by Diesel

90%

Of Food Moved by Diesel Power

Your Diesel Technology Career

Graduates find jobs as mechanics, service technicians, and diesel engine specialists in

  • implement dealerships
  • factories
  • construction
  • independent shops
  • heavy equipment shops and dealerships
  • engine machine shops
  • consumer product dealerships

Succeed at Hawkeye

Program Overview

You will graduate with skills and experience in:

  • emission systems
  • diesel fuel systems
  • hydraulics
  • power trains
  • electrical systems

Semester 1 — Fall

  • Diesel Engine Rebuild
  • Gas Engine Rebuild
  • Introduction to Diesel Technologies
  • Math course

Semester 2 — Spring

  • Advanced Diesel Engines, Emissions, and Fuel Systems
  • CTE Employability Skills or
    Written Communication in the Workplace or
    Composition I
  • Electricity
  • Electronics
  • Fuel Systems

Semester 3 — Fall

  • EFI Engine Systems
  • Human and Work Relations or
    Introduction to Psychology or
    Introduction to Sociology
  • Hydraulics I
  • Hydraulics II
  • Preventative Maintenance

Semester 4 — Spring

  • Ag Power Transfer Systems
  • Diesel Truck Power Transfer Systems
  • Equipment Repair I
  • Equipment Repair II
  • Fundamentals of Oral Communication or
    Public Speaking

Explore Courses, Details, and Costs

You’ll work on a variety of equipment, including Case Magnum tractors, John Deere 7R and 8R tractors, and a CIH combine, using the latest systems and tools in the industry.

In the shop, you’ll take on real projects like rebuilding a Duramax diesel engine, building a pulling tractor from the ground up, and completing other hands-on repair and maintenance tasks that build your confidence and skills.

Simulation Technology: Practice your electrical and hydraulic skills in a variety of scenarios in a controlled environment.

Train on the latest Case IH, New Holland, and CASE Construction Equipment to gain real-world experience with CNH systems. Through this training, you’ll:

  • Diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.
  • Master advanced digital technology like telematics, GPS, precision technology, and digital displays.
  • Troubleshoot complex electronics using remote diagnostic tools.
  • Work on a variety of equipment, including tractors, combines, planters, and earth-moving machinery.
  • Effectively navigate online parts and service information systems.
  • Learn from instructors with real-world experience in heavy equipment.

Nearly one in four semi-trucks in the country are Freightliners.  Get Ahead is a Daimler dealership level training that allows you to gain the skills and knowledge in Freightliner systems.

Snap-On Multimeter Certification - The knowledge of multimeters is one of the most requested skills in the industry. Train in the proper use of advanced electrical monitoring equipment and graduate ready for the workforce with a Multimeter Certification. 

Kenworth Essentials Factory Training -  This online training uses the same modules taught in Kenworth dealerships, giving you up-to-date instruction on the full range of Kenworth technology. You’ll complete the most current factory content and graduate with a certificate that prepares you for an entry-level technician job.

Hawkeye is a Snap-On partnership school, giving you access to high-quality tools at a substantial discount.

Ordering through Snap-On lets you charge the cost of the tools to your student account. Once financial aid is applied to your student account and your tuition, fees, and bookstore charges are paid, any remaining aid will go toward the cost of your tools.

If you choose to use an alternative vendor, you are responsible for contacting the vendor, purchasing the tools, and ensuring the tools are available in time for the start of fall classes. Purchasing from an alternative vendor would require you to pay the cost of the tools up front and be reimbursed with any remaining financial aid after charges to your student account, such as tuition, fees, and bookstore charges, are paid in full.

If you plan to use your own tools or toolbox, please reach out to your program faculty to arrange this before classes begin.

As a first-year student, you will rent your tools from Hawkeye.

In your second year, you will purchase your tools to use in class and in your career after graduation.

Once you register for classes, you'll receive a link to order your tools directly through Snap-On.

List Price: $13,870

Snap-On Student Excellence Program Discount Price: $5,548

  • 103UFTS 3 pc Combination Dr Universal Joint Set (1/4", 3/8", 1/2")
  • 10MA 10" Bastard Cut Mill File
  • 120STTM 20 pc 1/4" Drive 6-Point SAE Flank Drive® Shallow/Deep Socket Set
  • 124STTMM 24 pc 1/4" Drive 6-Point Metric Shallow/ Deep Socket Set (5–15 mm)
  • 1816B 18” Drift Pin Punch
  • 211FY 11 pc 3/8" Dr 12-PT SAE Flank Dr® Socket Set (1/4, 5/16, 3/8-7/8")
  • 212FMY 12 pc 3/8" Dr 12-PT Metric Flank Dr® Shall Socket Set (8-19 mm)
  • 212SIMFYA 12 pc 3/8" Dr 6-Point SAE Flank Dr® DP Impact Socket Set (5/16-1")
  • 214SIMFMYA 14 pc 3/8" Dr 6-pt Met Flank Dr® Dp Imp Set (8-19, 21 and 24 mm)
  • 305ASX 5 pc 1/2" Drive Extension Set
  • 313SIMA 13 pc 1/2" Dr PT SAE Flank Dr® Deep Imp Socket Set (1/2-1-1/4")
  • 313SWYA 13 pc 1/2" Dr 12-PT SAE Flank Dr® Shall Socket Set (3/8-1-1/8")
  • 325SIMM 25 pc 1/2" Dr 6-PT Met Flank Dr® DP Imp Skt Set (10-27, 29-36 mm)
  • 8R 8" Bastard Cut Round File
  • AT4124 Rubber Tip
  • AT4135 Blow Gun with Air Adjustment
  • ATECH2FR125B 3/8" Drive Flex-Head TechAngle® Torque Wrench (5–125 ft-lb) (BlK)
  • AWP160 Adjustable Joint Pliers
  • BLP10 Curved Jaw Locking Pliers (Blue-Point®)
  • BLPTHC87 87 pc Combination Dr TORX® and Hex Bit Socket Set (Blue-Point®)
  • BP12B 12 oz Ball Peen Hickory Hammer (Blue-Point®)
  • CSA8CR 7-5/8" Rigid Carbon Scraper (Black)
  • EECT30H 6/12 V Classic Bulb Circuit Tester
  • EEDM525F Enhanced Multimeter TRMS-Color
  • EZRS501 Battery Terminal Cleaner (Top Post Batteries)
  • FB336RNB Feeler Gauge Blade Set (Red)
  • FBST338 38 pc Straight Feeler Gauge Blade Set
  • FLF80A 3/8" Drive Dual 80® Technology Long Handle Flex-Head Ratchet
  • FXK11 3/8" Drive 11" Knurled Friction Ball Extension
  • FXK3 3/8” Drive 3” Knurled Friction Ball Extension
  • FXK6 3/8” Drive 6” Knurled Friction Ball Extension
  • GLA12B 1⁄2” Drive Square Drive Adapter (1/2” to 3⁄4”)
  • GLASS50BK Safety Glasses (Black)
  • GSAF1F 1⁄2” Drive Square Drive Adapter (1/2” to 3’8”)
  • HBBD32 32 oz Ball Peen Soft Grip Dead Blow Hammer
  • PBS704 4 pc Prybar Set (6 - 20”)
  • PL400B 4 pc Pliers Set (Adj. Pliers, Needle Nose, Diag. Cutters, Slip-Joint)
  • PPC710BK 11 pc Punch and Chisel Set
  • PTIM5 Pick-Up and Inspection Tool (Blue-Point®)
  • PWCS7ACF 7" Wire Stripper/ Cutter/ Crimper
  • QD3FR250A 1/2" Dr SAE Adj Click-Type Flex-Head Torque Wrench (50-250 ft-lb)
  • S9704KR 3/8" Dr 6-Pt 13/16" Retention Spark Plug Socket
  • S9706KRA 3/8" Dr 6-Pt 5/8" Retention Spark Plug Socket
  • SGASA204CR 4 pc Instinct® Soft Grip Miniature Pick Set
  • SGDX80BR 8 pc Instinct® Soft Grip Combination Screwdriver Set
  • SGHF614BR Instinct® Soft Grip File Handle (Red)
  • SGHF616BR Instinct® Soft Grip File Handle (Red)
  • SHLL80A 1/2" Dr Dual 80® Technology Extra-Long Handle Ratchet (Red)
  • SIM140A 1/2" Drive 6-Point SAE 7/16" Flank Drive® Deep Impact Socket
  • SOEX11 11/32" 12-Point SAE Flank Drive® Plus Combination Wrench
  • SOEX704 4 pc 12-Pt SAE Combination Wrench Set (15/16-1-1/8")
  • SOEX710 10 pc 12-Pt SAE Combination Wrench Set (5/16", 3/8-7/8")
  • SOEX8 12-Point SAE 1/4" Flank Drive® Plus Combination Wrench
  • SOEXM25 25 mm 12-Point Metric Flank Drive® Plus Combination Wrench
  • SOEXM7 7 mm 12-Point Metric Flank Drive® Plus Combination Wrench
  • SOEXM705 5 pc 12-Pt Metric Combination Wrench Set (20-24 mm)
  • SOEXM710 10 pc 12-Pt Metric Combination Wrench Set (10-19 mm)
  • SOEXM8 8 mm 12-Pt Metric Combination Wrench
  • SOEXM9 9 mm 12-Pt Metric Combination Wrench
  • SPBS704AR 4 pc Striking Prybar Set
  • SRPCR105 5 pc Snap Ring Pliers Set (Red)
  • T72 1/4" Dr Standard Handle Ratchet
  • TMXK4 1/4" Drive 4" Knurled Extension
  • PGPL150 Pencil Tire Pressure Gauge (Blue-Point®)
  • TPM16 16’ SAE Tape Measure (Red)

Snap-On Item Description List Price Your Price
KCP1422PBO

55" 10-Drawer Roll Cab with Power Drawer and Spd Drawer

Color options: Red, Gloss Black, Royal Blue, Storm Gray, Supersonic Blue with Black Trim, Supersonic Blue w/ Copper Trim, Electric Orange, Extreme Green, White with Bright Trim, White with Black Trim

$8,330 $3,898.00
KRA2422PBO

55" 10-Drawer Double Bank Classic Roll Cab

Color options: Red, Gloss Black, Royal Blue, Storm Gray, Electric Orange, Extreme Green, Supersonic Blue with Black Trim

6,625 2,749.00
KRSC46HPBO

40" 6-Drawer Flip-Top Shop Cart

Color Options: Red, Gloss Black, Royal Blue, Storm Gray, Supersonic Blue with Black Trim, Electric Orange, Extreme Green, White with Bright Trim

2,360 1,197.94
KRSC430APBO1

40" 6-Drawer Slide-Out Top Shop Cart

Color Options: Red, Gloss Black, Royal Blue, Storm Gray, Supersonic Blue with Black Trim, Electric Orange, Extreme Green, White with Bright Trim

2,880 1,508.54

This is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:

  • Altorfer, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Cedar Valley Corp., LLC, Waterloo, IA
  • Crown Equipment Corporation
  • Deike Implement Co., Waverly, IA
  • GATR Truck Center, Waterloo, IA
  • Growmark, Waterloo, IA
  • GTG Peterbilt, Waterloo, IA
  • Lanehaven Farms, Waterloo, IA
  • MHC Kenworth, Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Mid America Energy, Waterloo, IA
  • P&K Midwest, Waterloo and Keystone, IA
  • Ryder, Cedar Falls, IA
  • Thermo King, Cedar Falls, IA
  • Thompson Truck and Trailer, Inc., Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, IA
  • Titan Machinery, Waverly, IA
  • Truck Center Companies, Waterloo, IA
  • Warren Transport, Inc., Waterloo, IA
  • Ziegler CAT, Mason City and Postville, IA

You can get right to work after your program. Or, if you plan to earn an associate degree and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, consider your transfer options.

This program has a documented pathway to the Industrial Management program at the University of Northern Iowa. Check out UNI's transfer guides to learn more.

If you’re interested in transferring, you must work closely with a program advisor here and at the transfer institution. This is important to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

Plan your transfer

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

You must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.

" Getting a job after graduation was pretty easy. There are a lot of choices out there. "
  • Chaska Hunt
  • Diesel Technology ‘19

How to Get Started

It's simple! Complete these steps:

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.
  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.
  3. Demonstrate college readiness.

Check the status of your application at any time by logging into your admissions account.

Program Contacts

Admissions

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 134
319-296-4000
Email Admissions

Academic Advisor

Natasha Ceaser
Main Campus
Bremer Hall 136C
319-296-4014 ext.1062
Email Natasha Ceaser

Faculty Advisor

Last Names A–M

Dillin Rogers
Main Campus
Butler Hall 113
319-296-2320 ext.1118
Email Dillin Rogers

Faculty Advisor

Last Names N–Z

Glen Adolphs
Main Campus
Butler Hall 113
319-296-2320 ext.1327
Email Glen Adolphs

Regular Hours — Fall 2026

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM