WATER QUALITY TECHNOLOGY (A.A.S.)
Clean, safe drinking water is vital to public health, but it’s not always accessible everywhere or to everyone.
The Water Quality Technology program at Pellissippi State will train you for a fulfilling, lifelong career providing communities with this precious resource. If you’re a STEM student with interests including chemistry, biology and math, and you have a strong desire to help the environment, this program is for you.
The Water Quality Technology program, the only one of its kind in Tennessee, was developed with industry partners to ensure that our students learn what they need to know to hit the ground running. In addition to traditional lectures and coursework, students make multiple site visits to treatment plants and utility districts across the region, giving them face time and hands-on experience with potential employers.
Water Quality Treatment students are prepared for state-level certification, and clean water is such a need all over the world that most of our Water Quality Technology students receive job offers even before they graduate.
The Water Quality Technology program at Pellissippi State is designed to train individuals for careers in water and wastewater treatment operations. It is the first program of its kind in the state and has been designed with a robust team of industry representatives to ensure that our curriculum prepares you for state-level certifications after graduation.
The new program comes at just right the time, as industry experts predict that up to 50 percent of the workforce will reach retirement age within the next 5 to 10 years.
Students earn an Associate of Applied Science in Water Quality Technology in 60 hours. The program follows a cohort structure, in that students will move through their Water Quality Technology classes as a group, regardless of their age and experience. There will be multiple off-site visits, where students will be able to engage with plant operators and have face time with prospective employers.
View a complete list of courses needed to complete the degree.
Typical Job Opportunities: Entry-level positions at public or private water and wastewater treatment plants throughout the state. General science proficiencies provide a foundation for positions in environmental conservation or natural resources.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1800789. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Contact Us
Cristina Carbajo, Program Coordinator
cmcarbajo@pstcc.edu
865-694-6427
Kane Barker, Dean, Natural and Behavioral Sciences
kmbarker1@pstcc.edu
865-694-6695
Application Information
Start Strong Center
StartStrong@pstcc.edu
Phone: 865-694-6400
Text: 865-270-6400
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