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RSI offers two distinct programs for HVACR training: the Electro-Mechanical Technologies training program and the Associate of Occupational Studies in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree program. While both provide the practical training needed to begin a career in the skilled trades, they open up graduates to different opportunities and areas of study. Students may feel more drawn to one program or another depending on the career path they’re considering. Learn the differences between the two programs and what career options they can each lead to.
Program Logistics Differences
Electro-Mechanical Technologies is a 9-month training program designed to give students a practical foundation in HVACR that can be applied immediately to the workforce. The Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree is an extension of the Electro-Mechanical Technologies program, adding on a 6-month online module for a full 15-month degree program.
While the Electro-Mechanical Technologies program sets a strong foundation, the Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree courses delve into advanced level material, including piping, cooling, boiler, and electronic systems. The Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree program gives students even more time to learn on their own so they can jumpstart their career even while still advancing their technical education.
Areas of Specialty
The Electro-Mechanical Technologies program focuses on electrical wiring, refrigeration systems, residential and commercial HVAC, and solar technology. This gives students a skillset that can be used in both commercial and residential heating and cooling, as well as for green building projects.
The Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree program describes the same type of systems in greater detail for a more complex understanding of them, building off of the student’s practical knowledge gained in the first portion of the program. Additionally, students learn about motorized and computer-controlled systems, boiler systems, heat pumps, and predictive and preventative maintenance.
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Differences in Career Options
Because the programs are based off of the same fundamental coursework, career options also overlap for graduates of both programs. For students with HVAC technician vocational training, related career opportunities include:
- HVACR Technician
- Solar Panel Technician or Installer
- Maintenance Electrician
- Boiler Operator
- Power Plant Technician
Additionally, graduates of the Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree program have the
opportunity for careers in more specialized areas, such as:
- Restaurant & Retail Refrigeration Technician
- Low-Temperature Field Technician
- Refrigeration Service Technician
- Commercial Refrigeration Technician
For more information about whether the Electro-Mechanical Technologies or Associate of Occupational
Studies in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering degree program is right for you, contact an RSI
Admissions Representative.
Additional Sources
Associate of Occupational Studies in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering
