Process Technology - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Get the Specialized Training You Need to Become a Process Technician
Process technology is at the center of all industries that produce consumer goods from raw materials (including chemicals, fuels, and plastics) and involves the ability to understand, operate, shutdown, analyze and troubleshoot industrial processes.
If you have strong math skills, are curious about how things work, like to troubleshoot and solve problems, work as part of a team, and have a great attitude then a career as a process technician may be right for you.
Process technicians are responsible for the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of refineries and petrochemical plants. At ACC, you will train to become a process technician in the refining, petrochemical, power generation, oil and gas production, food, metals, minerals, and other process industries. You will gain technical knowledge and skills in areas such as operating equipment, instrumentation systems, process systems, process troubleshooting and computer applications.
Career Opportunities
Process Technicians are in great demand in the Gulf Coast region, across the U.S.
and in many other countries. Texas ranks second in the nation for the employment of
Process Technicians. The average
salary for process operators in the Gulf Coast region is over $68K per year with excellent
benefits. Alvin Community College graduates have close to a 100% job placement rate
and many students are hired before graduation.
What Will I Study?
The Study of Process Technology involves learning how industrial process work. Students learn about process equipment such as pumps, compressors, reactors and distillation columns. Technical knowledge and skills are gained in areas such as operating equipment, controlling instrumentation systems, monitoring process systems and troubleshooting those systems. These courses prepare students for entry-level employment as process technicians in the processing industries.
Curriculum Guide - Process Technology - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
First Year
First Semester (Fall)
PTAC 1302 - Introduction to Process Technology 3 Course Credits
PTAC 1308 - Safety, Health & Envir in Process Indust 3 Course Credits
TECM 1303 - Technical Mathematics 3 Course Credits
ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester (Spring)
- CTEC 1401 - Applied Petrochemical Technology 4 Course Credits
- PTAC 1310 - Process Technology I - Equipment 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 1332 - Process Instrumentation I 3 Course Credits
- MATH 1332 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 Course Credits C+
or - MATH 1314 - College Algebra 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 13
Third Semester (Summer)
- PTAC 2314 - Principles of Quality 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 2420 - Process Technology II - Systems 4 Course Credits
- Creative Arts 3 Course Credits +
or - Language, Philosophy and Culture 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 10
Second Year
First Semester (Fall)
- PTAC 2436 - Process Instrumentation II 4 Course Credits
- PTAC 2446 - Process Troubleshooting 4 Course Credits
- SCIT 1414 - Applied General Chemistry I 4 Course Credits C
or - CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry I 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester (Spring)
- CTEC 2333 - Comprehensive Studies in Chemical Tech 3 Course Credits *
or - PTAC 2386 - Internship Process Technology 3 Course Credits * **
- PTAC 2438 - Process Technology III - Operations 4 Course Credits
- Social and Behavioral Science 3 Course Credits +
- SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking 3 Course Credits +
or - SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 13
Total Credits Required for A.A.S. Process Technology Degree: 60
+ Denotes Core Requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone Course
** Requires Department Chair approval.
C Consult with Advisor - Students desiring to obtain a Baccalaureate degree should take suggested course(s)
First Year
First Semester
- PTAC 1302 - Introduction to Process Technology 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 1308 - Safety, Health & Envir in Process Indust 3 Course Credits
- TECM 1303 - Technical Mathematics 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 9
Second Semester
- CTEC 1401 - Applied Petrochemical Technology 4 Course Credits
- PTAC 1310 - Process Technology I - Equipment 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 1332 - Process Instrumentation I 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 9
Third Semester (Summer)
- PTAC 2314 - Principles of Quality 3 Course Credits
PTAC 2420 - Process Technology II - Systems 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 7
Second Year
First Semester
- PTAC 2438 - Process Technology III - Operations 4 Course Credits
- PTAC 2446 - Process Troubleshooting 4 Course Credits
- SCIT 1414 - Applied General Chemistry I 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Total Credits Required for Process Technology Certificate: 38
First Year
First Semester
- PTAC 1302 - Introduction to Process Technology 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 1308 - Safety, Health & Envir in Process Indust 3 Course Credits
- TECM 1303 - Technical Mathematics 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 9
Second Semester
- CTEC 1401 - Applied Petrochemical Technology 4 Course Credits
- PTAC 1310 - Process Technology I - Equipment 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 1332 - Process Instrumentation I 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Third Semester (Summer)
- PTAC 2314 - Principles of Quality 3 Course Credits
- PTAC 2420 - Process Technology II - Systems 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 7
Second Year
First Semester
- PTAC 2436 - Process Instrumentation II 4 Course Credits
- PTAC 2446 - Process Troubleshooting 4 Course Credits
- SCIT 1414 - Applied General Chemistry I 4 Course Credits
or - CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry I 4 Course Credits C +
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- CTEC 2333 - Comprehensive Studies in Chemical Tech 3 Course Credits * **
or - PTAC 2386 - Internship Process Technology 3 Course Credits **
- PTAC 2438 - Process Technology III - Operations 4 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 7
Total Credits Required for Process Technology Certificate 2: 45
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone Course
** Requires Department Chair approval.
C Consult with Advisor - Students desiring to obtain a Baccalaureate degree should take suggested course(s)
Approximate costs for the A.A.S. Degree programs are $4,200 for in-district students and $6,600 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies will vary.
Approximate costs for the Certificate program are $2,600 for in-district students and $4,200 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies will vary.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
ACC is a fully accredited college and certified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities. The Process Technology program is:
- Fully endorsed by the Industry and Education Group of the North America Process Technology Alliance
- Endorsed as an Exemplary Program by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Recognized by the Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC)
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Process Technology is part of our Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other programs that may interest you.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Career Pathway