Skip to main content
Penn State Harrisburg
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Programs
  • Admissions and Financial Aid
    • Office of Admissions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Alumni & Supporters
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Workforce Professionals
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Harrisburg
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Diversity and Inclusion at Penn State Harrisburg
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
    • Board of Advisers
    • Administration
    • Chancellor's Office
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Minors
    • Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Certificates
    • Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees
    • Education Certifications and Endorsements
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Student Life

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Workforce Professionals

Helpful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Give Today
  • Directory
  • Events Calendar

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
  1. Home
  2. School of Science, Engineering, and Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology

Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.)

The goal of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program is to provide students with the necessary training and education so they can provide high-level technical support to a variety of industrial, commercial, consulting, and governmental organizations. The emphasis of the program is in the application of scientific and engineering principles. Technical communication in oral and written form is also emphasized.

Graduates are expected to appreciate the ethical and societal responsibilities of a technologist, the concepts of Continuous Quality Improvement, and the continuing impact of globalization of design, manufacturing, and marketing of technical goods and services. Graduates are trained to deal with choice of materials and methods that are safe, environmentally and aesthetically acceptable, and economically competitive.

Typical responsibilities that may be assigned to graduates are the development and evaluation of machines and mechanisms; development, organization and supervision of manufacturing processes and procedures; the instrumentation, control and testing of a process; quality control; technical marketing and sales; design of mechanical systems for heating and cooling; and energy management.

Career Opportunities

Mechanical Engineering Technology is a broad engineering discipline that provides a number of career possibilities. The work of mechanical engineering technologists varies by industry and function and can be found within manufacturing plants, engineering and business service companies, and federal, state, and local government. Some mechanical engineering technologists work in manufacturing, where their responsibilities may include the development and evaluation of machines, design of mechanical systems, facilitating operation and management, quality control, and supervision of workers. These positions can be found in consumer product, transportation equipment, automobile, aircraft, and industrial machinery industries. MET graduates may also work in research where they may build or set up equipment, complete experiments and design prototype mechanical systems. Additional opportunities exist for MET graduates in the growing areas of consulting, technical sales, production operations, and administration.

Job Titles

Most graduates of Mechanical Engineering Technology programs at the bachelor’s degree level work for businesses and corporations. Fewer are found in positions within education, government and nonprofit settings. Some common job titles for entry-level graduates include: Automotive Technician, Automotive Engineer, Decision Analyst, Design Engineer, City Planner, Logistics Manager, Materials Manager, Maintenance Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Operations Manager, Power Engineer, Production Engineer, Reliability and Testing Engineer, Research Assistant, Systems Support Technician, Technical Engineer, Technical Salesperson, Technical Writer, and Quality Assurance Assistant.

Job Outlook

Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates should experience good employment potential. Opportunities are expected to grow to keep pace with the demand for technical products. Many of the job openings will result from employment growth and the need to replace retiring workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for Mechanical Engineering Technologists will grow at a rate of 16 percent, or 35,000 additional jobs through 2016.

Accreditation and Licensure

This program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

MET graduates who wish to continue their professional development can take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination in Pennsylvania, a prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering examination.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Student Organizations

All MET students are encouraged to join the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the premier worldwide professional organization of Mechanical Engineers and Technologists. This opportunity provides links to both students and professionals in the career of mechanical engineering. MET students are active in the ASME students club and the ASME Susquehanna chapter.

Selection of Major in Engineering or Engineering Technology

Excellent guidance for students, parents, friends, and others regarding the similarities and differences between engineering and engineering technology is provided at TryEngineering.org.

Documents

  • Prerequisite Flowchart (program planning tool)

Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.)

  • Curriculum
  • Courses
  • Program Requirements for Admission
  • Educational Objectives and Assessment
  • Enrollment and Graduation Statistics
  • Labs and Facilities
  • Program Contacts
Apply to Penn State
Online Application
Talk with a Student
Connect
Transfer to Penn State Harrisburg
learn more

Mechanical Engineering Programs

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)
Materials Science and Engineering (Minor)
Mechatronics (Minor)
Mechatronics Technology (Minor)

ACCREDITATION

ABET Logo

See Also

  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • Brochure (PDF)
  • Request Information
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Administration
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Board of Advisors
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Academic Calendar
  • Admission
    • Office of Admissions
    • Housing Options
    • Veterans
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Office of Student Aid
    • Bursar's Office
  • Research
    • Office of Research and Outreach
    • Harrisburg LaunchBox
  • Student Life
    • Office of Student Life
    • Student Affairs
    • Student Initiated Fee
  • Community Safety & Health
    • University Police and Public Safety
    • PSUAlert
    • Weather Policy
Penn State University
777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 717-948-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State