Quality Technician

We are glad to see you are interested in our Quality Technician program. A visit with Enrollment Services is a great way to get your questions answered. Attend a Tuesday virtual information session, a Wednesday in-person information session or schedule a one-on-one video chat appointment today.

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Program Information

The Quality Technician program is designed to train student in the tools and processes used to ensure the quality of finished goods and products. Graduates of this degree will have the skills necessary to be employed as a quality assurance technician in a variety of manufacturing sectors. With completion of this degree students will also obtain 15 Minnesota Transferable Credits (MnTC) meeting three different goal areas.

Program Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate document control skills.
Competently utilize tools to inspect finished goods of any kind.
Ensure quality within the supply chain for consumers safely.
Analysis of collected data.
Create and maintain inspection documentation.
Interact professionally with coworkers.
Interpret engineering drawing utilizing Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.
Understand basic manufacturing practices.
Knowledgeable in regulatory standards and requirements.
Able to work in a management team.
Creating a quality management system.
Calibration of measurement gauging.
Creation and requisitioning on measurement fixtures.
Analysis of Statistical Data for Process control.
Create metrics of cost of quality.
Have an ethical foundation of the importance of quality management.
Able to identify continuous improvement opportunities

Career Opportunities

This field is under-represented in higher education and no program required skills in statistical analysis. Quality Technicians are the individuals who assure that the quality of manufactured products meet the requirements of the customer and regulatory bodies. Quality technicians work in clean, environmentally controlled areas with regulated temperature and humidity to ensure part consistency. This is a mid-level position in the field with large opportunity for advancement and increased wage growth.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Certifications

Upon completion of this degree students will be able to competently use tools and processes utilized in industry for the inspection of finished goods. Students continuing to the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree combined with experience in the field will also be able to test for the American Society of Quality (ASQ) Certification for a Quality Technician.

Course Prerequisites

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

Program Sequence

MnTC General Education Requirements
This program requires completion of the following fifteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses:
ENGL 2105	Business and Technical Writing (Goal 1&2)	4
MATH 1550	Introduction to Statistics (Goal 4)	4
SPCH 1200	Interpersonal Communications (Goal 1&7)	3
MnTC Elective		4
Fall Semester		15
ADSC 1171	Microsoft Excel	2
ENGL 2105	Business & Technical Writing	4
MACH 1121	Metrology	2
MACH 1132	Blueprint Reading	3
MATH 1550	Introduction to Statistics	4
Spring Semester		15
MACH 1090	Machine Fundamentals	2
MACH 1231	Blueprint Design/CAD II	1
MACH 1240	Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing	3
QUAL 1200	Measurement & Test Equipment	4
QUAL 1210	Quality Concepts & Assurance	2
SPCH 1200	Interpersonal Communication	3
Fall Semester		15
QUAL 2300	Applied GD&T Concepts	4
QUAL 2310	Product & Process Control	2
QUAL 2320	Gauging Calibration	4
QUAL 2330	Quality Ethics	2
QUAL 2340	Fixturing for Inspection	3
Spring Semester		15
MnTC Elective		4
QUAL 2400	Process Performance Capability & Reliability	2
QUAL 2410	Validation Documentation & Regulatory Compliance	3
QUAL 2420	Continuous Improvement	2
QUAL 2430	Quantitative Methods & Tools	4

Part-Time Options

Students can choose to complete this program part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guide (see the program guide PDF under the LINKS section to the right). Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisors for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence. Refer to the below PDF document for first semester part-time course options and further information.