Lift Big. Build Bigger.
Our Heavy Equipment & Crane Technology program equips students with the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to operate, inspect, and maintain cranes, bulldozers, loaders, and other heavy machinery. Through coursework and lab work, students become skilled in hydraulics, rigging, safety, and field operations. Graduates are prepared for high-demand roles in construction, infrastructure, energy, and the heavy equipment industry.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Learning & Career Pathway
This learning pathway - a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees - includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.
- Heavy Equipment/Crane Technician, Level 2 Certificate (1.5 years)
- Heavy Diesel Equipment/Crane Technician, Associate of Applied Science Degree (2 years)
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic systems using specialized equipment.
- Follow safe work practices and procedures.
- Diagnose fuel system component problems.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot electronic components as related to diesel engines, brakes, and automated transmissions.
- Apply mathematical concepts to solve electrical circuit design and troubleshooting problems.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated by the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
There are no additional admission requirements for the Heavy Equipment/Crane Technology program; you only need to complete your application to the College, as noted in “College Admission” above, and follow the enrollment steps.
Plan of Study
3DESL-HEQ
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| ELPT 1321 | Introduction to Electrical Safety and Tools | 3 |
| CETT 1302 | Electricity Principles | 3 |
| DEMR 1306 | Diesel Engine I | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| DEMR 1405 | Basic Electrical Systems | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| DEMR 1410 | Diesel Engine Testing and Repair I | 4 |
| ELPT 1315 | Electrical Calculations I | 3 |
| MATH 1332 or MATH 1314 | Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) or College Algebra | 3 |
| DEMR 1317 | Basic Brake Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Term | ||
| DEMR 1316 | Basic Hydraulics | 3 |
| DEMR 1413 | Fuel Systems | 4 |
| ELPT 2319 | Programmable Logic Controllers I | 3 |
| Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| DEMR 1423 or ELPT 2423 | Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Troubleshooting and Repair or Transformers | 4 |
| DEMR 2432 | Electronic Controls | 4 |
| DEMR 2435 | Advanced Hydraulics | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Capstone Experience: DEMR 2435 Advanced Hydraulics