Lake Washington Institute of Technology Adds New Engineering Technology Degree

LWIT Adds New Engineering Technology Degree

Kirkland, Wash.:Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) is pleased to announce its newAssociate of Applied Science Engineering Technology degree. This degree is designed for students wholike the practical application of engineering, and who would benefit from a hands-on, rather than more theoretically-inclined, program. It can lead toemployment in as little as two years, or can provide a solid foundation for further studies in engineering and technology.

“Our Engineering Technology AAS degree has been designed for those students who really enjoy seeing the fruits of their labor – working with their hands, developing new designs, diagnosing and fixing problems” said Dr. Steve Addison, Acting Dean of New Programs at LWIT. “Traditional engineering programs focus on theory with relatively little time available for practical work. We’ve designed our program to really emphasize the application of engineering principles to real-world problems. We’ve developed an innovative approach that directly relates math and computing to the problems that are being taught in engineering classes to ease obstacles to learning math. And, unlike larger institutions, our classes are small, and tailored to help each student stay motivated, and succeed.”

All students in the Engineering Technology program take a series of core engineering, math and computing classes that provides the fundamental knowledge all engineers require to be successful in the workforce. To complete their degree, students then choose one of four focus areas: manufacturing, electronics, biomedical engineering, or renewable energy. Graduates can either enter the workforce immediately, or use the AAS degree as the foundation for a baccalaureate degree.

Demand for AAS degree graduates in engineering and technology is at an all-time high. At aSenate Aviation Subcommittee hearing with Senator Maria Cantwell last July addressing aerospace worker shortages, a Boeing representative testified that skilled employees with associate’s degrees in such fields as engineering technology are in short supply, with this situation becoming more critical as the manufacturing upswing in the Puget Sound Region expands. As a result, salaries for positions such as technicians, product designers, test engineers and the like are on the rise.

Jobs for engineering technicians pay well. According to the Workforce Development Council of Seattle and King County, engineering technicians are making $21 to $36 an hour. LWIT’s Engineering Technology degree opens the door to a rewarding and high-paying career.

Those interested in more information can visit lwtech.edu/engineering_technology, call 425-739-8300 or email engineering@lwtech.edu.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) is a broad-based polytechnic college offering instruction in 36 areas of instruction toward a spectrum of more than 100 bachelor and associate level degrees and certificates designed to give students the latest cutting edge skills relevant to today’s workplace. For information and news about LWIT programs, please visit lwtech.edu/press_room.