Process Technology

The Process Technology (PTEC) Fast Track program is designed to help those with an Associate's degree or higher attain the Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Process Technology within as little as one semester.

Program Design

• The program is 16 weeks in length and takes place from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
• The program cost (which includes tuition and fees) is approximately $7,186.40. The cost of books is approximately $1,100 if purchased new; however, books may be rented or purchased used.
  • The costs of the program are approximate costs and do not reflect any tuition increases that may occur but will remain consistent with the cost of tuition and fees at SOWELA Technical Community College.

The PTEC Fast Track program includes all of the Process Technology courses required for the AAS degree. Upon successful completion of all the courses offered in the program, the student will have earned 38 college credits toward their degree (60 credit hours total).

Minimum Requirements for Acceptance into the Fast Track PTEC Program

• Must meet admission requirements.
• Must have an Associate's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum GPA of 2.7 from the most recent or highest degree earned
• Military and industrial experience preferred as well as evidence of mechanical aptitude
• Must have successfully completed or be enrolled in the remaining General Education courses required (22 hrs.) for the AAS degree in the semester prior to entering the program

Acceptance into the Program and Graduation

Applying to SOWELA

• Interested applicants need to first apply to SOWELA Technical Community College with Process Technology (PTEC) as their major.
• Submit the following items to the SOWELA Office of Admissions:
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended - sent directly from the institutions.
    • Note that transcripts from all previously attended schools will be reviewed/evaluated and articulated following the same policy as all other transfer students.
  • Required immunization records.
  • Placement test scores - if applicable.

Being accepted to begin enrollment at SOWELA does not mean that the applicant is accepted into the PTEC Fast Track program.

Applying to PTEC Fast Track Program

Submit the items below by emailing information to pteccohort@sowela.edu

• Cover letter explaining why the applicant feels that he/she is a good candidate for the PTEC Fast Track program
• Resume
  • Must include degrees earned along with GPA
  • Must include associated/relevant work experience
• Date applied to SOWELA Technical Community College
• A copy of transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Application Deadline

• The deadline to apply for the Spring 2027 cohort has been extended to 07/24/2026.

Acceptance

• Applicants that meet the minimum requirements will be ranked based on a predetermined rubric and will be awarded according to the available seats for each cohort.
• The Support Coordinator will contact all applicants within one week following the deadline for application submission.
• Process Technology Fast Track Acceptance Policy (PDF)

In the event that openings have not been filled for the Fast Track program, the Dean of the School of Industrial Technology reserves the right to consider applicants who did not meet the initial deadlines and GPA requirements. All applicants considered must meet the degree requirement.

Upcoming Cohorts

Upon acceptance into the program, the student will be responsible for ensuring that the remaining general education courses (22 credit hours) have been taken or the student is enrolled in the remaining classes in the semester prior to starting the program.

• Each applicant that is accepted into the program may have varying and specific remaining general education courses that will be needed in order to graduate with the AAS in Process Technology.

Funding

Refunds and Withdrawals

Refunds and withdrawals will be in accordance with the SOWELA Technical Community College traditional semester refund and withdrawal process.

Unsuccessful Course Attempts

If a student does not successfully complete a course, that student will be allowed to continue in the program if the course that was failed is not a prerequisite to any remaining courses. The Process Technology Program Coordinator or the Dean of the School of Industrial Technology will decide whether or not to allow the student to continue.

Financial Aid

Please note that students with a Bachelor's degree are no longer eligible for Pell grant funding.

Graduation

To successfully complete the Process Technology Fast Track program, students must meet SOWELA Technical Community College's requirements for graduation.

In the event that openings have not been filled for the Fast Track program, the Dean of the School of Industrial Technology reserves the right to consider applicants who did not meet the initial deadlines and GPA requirements. All applicants considered must meet the degree requirement.

In 2024-2025, 353 Process Technology students received an average of $4,971.21 in grants and scholarships.