The Department of Technology offers five undergraduate programs to prepare students for technology-driven and management-oriented careers. These programs include Aviation Administration, Engineering Technology, Fire Protection Administration and Technology, Graphic Communications (being phased out), and Industrial Technology (being phased out).
Employment Opportunities
Graduates are employed in a wide range of careers, including supervisors, managers, management representatives, trainers, technical support specialists, analysts, planners, and teachers. The department also offers several upper-division certificate programs to provide further technical depth.
Technology Programs
Starting in Fall 2022, the Department will phase out the Graphics Communication major and replace the Industrial Technology Major with Engineering Technology. Current students should speak with an adviser during Spring 2022 about either their path to graduation in existing majors or their transitions to new programs.
The airline and aviation industries are comprised of people who are responsible for duties that most of us never even consider, behind-the-scenes functions that keep the industry running safely and smoothly. More and more, students are noticing that education in aviation administration can lead to an exciting, fulfilling, and lucrative career.
Cal State LA's Aviation Administration program was uniquely created in response to needs identified by the commercial airline and aviation industries. As such, graduates of the program are uniquely prepared to enter either industry as instant problem-solvers and troubleshooters, requiring little orientation.
Whether your interest is in airline administration, aviation law, aviation safety, airport administration, aviation quality control, or national airspace systems and air traffic control, Cal State LA offers the program that will help you reach your goal.
Created in response to needs identified by the California Fire Services, Cal State LA's Fire Protection Administration program arms graduates with technical and administrative skills that can lead to some of the top fire protection positions in the world.
Typically, a fire protection education is limited to lower-division coursework taken at the community college level. As the only one of its kind in the state of California, Cal State LA's Fire Protection Administration program produces graduates who have an edge over the competition. Cal State LA alums are uniquely prepared to implement the managerial skills that are crucial in commanding large-scale fire-fighting operations.
Graduates of the Fire Protection Administration program at Cal State LA go on to pursue careers as fire prevention specialists, fire loss insurance claims adjusters, fire station chiefs, and arson investigators.
The Fire Protection Administration and Technology major is a "2 + 2 Articulation" program. Because Cal State LA does not offer lower-division Fire Protection Administration courses, students in the program complete their first two years at a local community college and then transfer to Cal State LA to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Protection Administration and Technology.
Engineering Technology, B.S. program prepares individuals to apply basic mathematics, science engineering, and technology principles and technical skills that enable them to engage in a variety of engineering technology projects. Coursework includes various engineering technology topics, including laboratory and design projects that lead to careers in manufacturing systems and sustainable energy and transportation engineering technology areas. During the junior and senior years, students may choose electives to match individual talents and interests with a career objective. Finally, the program has a capstone experience that develops student competencies in applying both technical and non-technical skills to solve real-world problems and prepare them for future careers.
The Graphic Communications degree program is not currently accepting new admissions. Further information on this will be available in due course.
The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications is designed to provide technical management opportunities for students who have an interest in a career in graphic communications or those employed in the digital media and entertainment industry. It was developed in response to needs identified by this industry and in cooperation with the area community colleges offering two-year graphic communications/printing programs.
(being terminated: not accepting new students)
Notice to BS Industrial Technology Students
The BS Industrial Technology degree will be replaced by the new BS Engineering Technology degree, which will begin admitting students in Fall 2022. Current Ind Tech students will be able to finish their degree over the next several years or switch to the new BS Engineering Technology Major. Students should speak to an adviser during Spring 2022 to discuss their options.
The BS Industrial Technology degree has been accredited by the Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) for the past seven years. The Technology Department has decided not to continue with ATMAE accreditation activities, and the program’s ATMAE accreditation status will end on November 1, 2020. The effect of this change in accreditation status on students is expected to be negligible.
The Engineering Technology program will seek ABET Accreditation as soon as possible. Our engineering and computer science programs have been ABET-accredited for many decades; ABET is the worldwide leader in accrediting academic and technical programs. The change in a degree program and accreditation status is expected to benefit students by providing stronger recognition from the industry and more rigorous standards.
(being terminated: not accepting new students)