Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology
Ideal For: Developing communication, documentation, and analytical skills that support advancement into supervisory roles.
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The Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology builds on advanced machining skills and prepares graduates for increased responsibility within manufacturing environments. In addition to technical depth in CNC machining, automation exposure, and process awareness, students develop communication, documentation, and analytical skills that support advancement into supervisory and process-support roles.
This degree is designed for machinists who want upward mobility — not just machine proficiency.
Why Move Beyond the Certificate?
While certificates prepare students to operate and set up equipment, the associate degree prepares graduates to:
Communicate across departments
Document quality and production data clearly
Interpret production metrics
Support workflow and efficiency improvements
Take on lead or senior technician responsibilities
Many employers use the associate degree as a benchmark for promotion into lead roles, quality support positions, and production oversight.
Career Mobility Pathways
Graduates are positioned for roles such as:
Senior CNC Machinist
Lead Machinist
Quality Technician
Process Technician
Production Supervisor (Entry-Level)
Automation Support Technician
The associate degree signals readiness for responsibility beyond individual part production.
Coursework
Additional general education and upper-division coursework
Elective courses in: Advanced Machining Applications; Machine Tool Process & Production; Mechatronics, Automation & Robotics; Work-Based Learning / Co-Op
Total: 60 Credits
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Skills that Work | Values that Lasts
The Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation prepares students for high-skill careers in modern manufacturing through hands-on training, industry-aligned instruction, and stackable credentials that lead from technical foundations to leadership-level preparation.
At BSMI, technical excellence is inseparable from personal integrity. Precision matters. Accountability matters. The habits that define a skilled machinist — discipline, attention to detail, safety awareness, and responsibility for quality — are also the habits that shape strong professionals and trustworthy leaders.
BSMI is built on a simple belief: skilled trades deserve clear pathways for growth. Whether a student is entering the workforce, advancing from the shop floor, or preparing for plant-level responsibility, the School provides structured mobility through certificates, an associate degree, and a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology — all grounded in character formation and professional responsibility.
Students begin with foundational competencies in safety, measurement, print reading, metallurgy, and benchwork. As they progress, they develop proficiency in manual machining, CNC operations, CAD/CAM integration, automation systems, and process optimization. At the highest levels, students engage in advanced machining applications, production analysis, lean workflow evaluation, and capstone-level problem solving connected directly to real manufacturing environments.
What distinguishes BSMI is its integration of:
- Precision machining and CNC technology
- Automation, robotics, and mechatronics
- Production workflow and quality systems
- Applied communication and professional readiness
- Work-based learning and industry engagement
- Character-driven leadership development
Graduates are prepared not only to operate equipment, but to improve systems, support production teams, and lead with integrity in manufacturing organizations. They understand that quality is not simply a measurement — it is a commitment.
The Bradbury School partners closely with regional and national industry leaders to ensure that the curriculum reflects current workforce needs while reinforcing the values that sustain long-term professional success. Programs translate directly into recognized career roles such as CNC Machinist, Advanced Machinist, Process Technician, Manufacturing Engineer (technology track), Production Supervisor, and Operations Leader.
Through disciplined technical training, structured career mobility, and a commitment to character, the Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation equips students to strengthen both the manufacturing workforce and the communities it serves.