Automation & Controls Engineering Technology is a Bachelor Degree program offered by Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN. The program takes 2 years to complete, with a total tuition of $59,234.
Program Overview
Automated systems and controls are a fundamental part of modern life. They include any system that uses a sensor and then automatically makes adjustments to the system based on the data the sensor provides. That means everything from the automatic gate at a parking ramp to complex robot-driven manufacturing systems.
Dunwoody’s bachelor completion degree in Automation & Controls Engineering Technology is specifically for those looking to land engineering and management positions in the field.
As a completion degree, it provides a path to a four-year degree for graduates with two-year degrees in electrical maintenance, electronics, mechatronics, industrial controls, and robotics.
Students without a two-year degree who are interested in the most direct path the Bachelor of Science in Automation & Controls Engineering Technology should apply to Dunwoody’s Automated Systems & Robotics or Industrial Controls & Robotics programs.
Controls engineering combines a variety of disciplines, including electrical design, PLC (programmable logic controller) applications, robotics, motors, machine vision, auto-guided vehicles, and factory automation. Students in Dunwoody’s program take advanced coursework in each of those areas.
They also take classes in mathematics, physics, project management, and engineering so they develop the critical thinking, communication, and managerial skills required of the modern engineer.
Classes are lab-intensive so students can apply what they learn to real-world projects.
The program incorporates a senior capstone project in its final semester that gives students the chance to demonstrate industry-relevant controls engineering experience.
As part of the curriculum, students are also prepared to earn the following certifications:
- PMMI PLC 1 Certification
- PMMI PLC2 Certification
- A3 Certified Machine Vision Professional
What sets this Program apart
Facilities used in this program include:
Controls Engineering Lab. Assemble and program the industrial controls used in discrete manufacturing and advanced process control applications.
- 24 Allen Bradley L18ERM CompactLogix PLCs
- 24 Allen Bradley PanelView HMIs
- 24 Kinetix Motion Controllers
- 24 Powerflex VFDs
- 24 Cognex Machine Vision Systems
- Emerson Process Controls & Instrumentation
Programmable Controls Lab. Learn to debug and program programmable logic controllers for use in a variety of control systems.
- 11 Allen Bradley MicroLogix PLCs
- 11 Allen Bradley CompactLogix PLCs
- 11 Siemens S7-1200 PLCs
- 11 ABB VFDs
- 11 Maple Systems HMIs
Industrial Robotics Lab. Learn to wire and program industrial robots.
- 9 FANUC LR Mate Industrial Robots
- 10 Epson T3 SCARA Robots
- 8 UR3E Collaborative Robots
- 1 FANUC M1-iA Delta Robot
Basic Electricity Lab. Complete projects that help you learn the fundamentals of electricity, including how to analyze, design, build, and test series, parallel and combination AC and DC circuits.
- 12 individual workstations that include: Lighted Magnifier; Digital Microscope; Soldering Iron; Fume Extractor; Work Holding Equipment; Hot Air Rework Equipment; Prototyping and Wiring Tools; Linear Power Supply Transformer Trainer; Digital Oscilloscope; Digital Multimeter; Analog Multimeter; DC Power Supply; AC Function Generator
- 2 LPKF S64 PCB Milling Machines
- Neoden Solder Paste Stencil Station
- Neoden PCB Pick and Place Machine
- Neoden PCB Reflow Oven
- Digital Thermal Imaging Camera
- 5 LabVIEW DAQ Trainers
- 12 Microcontroller Development Training Kits
- Instructor overhead projector station for demonstrations
Admission Requirements and Process
Students applying for admission to Dunwoody College of Technology must provide a final, official high school transcript (with graduation date) or a GED score from a recognized GED testing center. Admission decisions are based on a careful, overall assessment of each student’s academic preparation and performance, as well as the additional information provided in the application. Additional requirements may be required for certain programs.
Program requirements. A completion degree for graduates of two-year programs in electrical maintenance, electronics, mechatronics, industrial controls or robotics.
General Requirements
- Related two-year degreeA completion degree for graduates of two-year programs in electrical maintenance, electronics, mechatronics, industrial controls or robotics.
- High school diploma or GEDProvide a final, official high school transcript (with graduation date) or a GED score from a recognized GED testing center.
- College transcriptsIf you have completed college credits and intend to apply for federal financial aid, or want the credits considered for transfer, an official transcript from that institution is…
- Admission reviewAdmission decisions weigh coursework through high school graduation, any previous college-level coursework, grade point average and the application essay.
- Test scores optionalACT, SAT or PSAT scores are considered if available but are not required.
- ImmunizationMinnesota law (M.S. 135A.14) requires students born after 1956 to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella; accepted students fill out an immunization…
- OrientationOrientation is an enrollment requirement for all new students; admitted students are mailed information on Orientation sessions.
Application Process
- 1Fill out an application for admissionRegister for Dunwoody’s Admissions portal and start your application; you can save your progress and come back to it.
- 2Provide official transcriptsRequest official transcripts from all educational institutions attended (including high school), sent directly to the Dunwoody Admissions Office, or have your GED scores sent.
- 3Personal interviewA personal interview with an Admissions Counselor is recommended to ensure Dunwoody is the right fit for your educational and career goals.
- 4Admissions decisionYour completed file goes to the admissions committee, which meets once a week; students are notified of decisions within four business days.
- 5Apply for financial aidComplete the FAFSA (Dunwoody school code 004641); a completed FAFSA is also required to be considered for Dunwoody scholarships.FAFSA Code for Minneapolis Campus: 004641Complete FAFSA Application
- 6Attend orientationAdmitted students are mailed information on Orientation, an enrollment requirement for all new students, where they receive their class schedule and student ID.
Program Schedule
Length of program. 2 Years (4 semesters).
Classes offered. Evening.
Available starts. Fall Semester; Spring Semester.
Upcoming start dates. January 25, 2027, August 30, 2027, January 24, 2028 (per the 2026-2027 academic calendar).
- January 25th, 2027
- August 30th, 2027
- January 24th, 2028
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program cost (2026-27). Total program tuition is $59,234 (Year 3: $31,244; Year 4: $27,990). Required fees (device) total $1,556 and books, supplies, materials and course/program fees total $2,112, for an estimated total program cost of $62,902.
Cost of attendance. For the 2025-26 academic year Dunwoody lists average annual costs (which vary by program) of $27,704 tuition, $744 books and supplies and $710 fees, plus living expenses of $3,898 food, $11,766 on-campus or $12,106 off-campus housing, $2,000 transportation and $2,200 miscellaneous.
Financial aid. Most Dunwoody students receive some form of financial aid, including federal and state grants, federal loans and work study. Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Dunwoody’s federal school code is 004641. A completed FAFSA is also required to be considered for Dunwoody scholarships, and each year Dunwoody gives out nearly $4 million in scholarship funding.
Minnesota programs. Dunwoody participates in the Minnesota State Grant, Dream Act, Postsecondary Child Care Grant, GI Bill Scholarship, Indian Scholarship, Fostering Independence Grant, State Work-Study and SELF Loan programs.
Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Dunwoody as a Benefits Eligible College, and Dunwoody is a Yellow Ribbon School. Dunwoody waives the application fee and enrollment fees for veterans and military students.
Payment plans. Dunwoody offers a payment plan option for students to divide the balance owed each semester into smaller payments; students must enroll in the payment plan each semester.
Curriculum
The Automation & Controls Engineering Technology (AENT), Bachelor of Science requires 120 credits (including 55 transfer credits). By the end of this program, students will be able to:
- ETAC 1: An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
- ETAC 2: An ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
- ETAC 3: An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
- ETAC 4: An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes.
- ETAC 5: An ability to function effectively as a member, as well as a leader, on technical teams.
Class topics include:
- Fundamentals of industrial automation
- Autonomous-Guided Vehicles (AGV)
- Advanced industrial controllers
- Engineering project management
- Using machine vision for automated inspection
- Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Common job titles. Possible job titles upon graduation include:
- Controls Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Mechatronics Engineer
- PLC Programmer
- Robotics Engineer
- Application Engineer
- Process Engineer
- ECAD Designer
2024-25 graduate outcomes. Of 14 Automation & Controls Engineering Technology graduates in 2024-25, the in-field employment rate was 100% and the career outcomes rate was 100% (Dunwoody Career Services Annual Report 2024-2025; employment recorded up to six months after graduation).
Average salary. $82K (Robotics & Electronics, B.S.; 2023-24 Dunwoody Career Services Annual Report, as shown on the program page).
What to expect as a Dunwoody College of Technology student
Student organizations. Opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom include:
- Robotic Snow Plow Team
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Dunwoody College of Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering Technology Program Criteria.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Minneapolis Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 9 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 99.4% rather than 100%.
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