Technical Education Program Alignment
This platform is a central resource for exploring Utah’s aligned technical education programs, a key part of the Utah System of Higher Education’s commitment to consistent, high-quality technical training statewide.
Here, stakeholders can find detailed program information, including participating institutions, graduation requirements, course descriptions, and the benefits of alignment for both students and industries.
About the Initiative
The Technical Education Program Alignment initiative ensures that technical education programs across USHE institutions follow common standards, such as program names, objectives, CIP codes, lengths, and key skills required for employment. This initiative helps align programs to prepare students with relevant skills for today’s job market. It also provides clarity for students, educators, and employers, while allowing each institution the flexibility to adjust offerings based on local industry needs through additional courses.
The initiative is designed to:
- Ensure Workforce-Ready Graduates: Graduates will have consistent, industry-recognized skills that meet the needs of employers across the state.
- Simplify Educational Pathways: Clear and consistent program structures make it easier for students to understand their options and reduce confusion.
- Support Articulation and Transfer: Agreements between institutions help students transfer more easily, saving time and reducing the cost of their education.
- Adapt to Regional Needs: Institutions can offer extra courses that meet the specific needs of local industries.
Contact Us
- View All Programs
- Agriculture and Veterinary Services
- Architecture and Construction
- Aviation
- Business and Consumer Technologies
- Culinary and Hospitality Services
- Digital Media and Web Design
- Health Professions
- Manufacturing
- Personal Services
- Public Safety and Emergency Services
- Technology
- Transportation
Nursing Assistant (one course)
The Nursing Assistant program is designed for students to receive their certification by completing coursework in classroom and clinical settings.
Objectives
- Explain activities of daily living and nursing assistant scope of practice.
- Demonstrate correct recognizing and reporting, communication, infection control, safety, and residents’ rights in the care setting.
- Demonstrate proficiency in all skills required for state certification.
- Perform nursing assistant skills in a healthcare setting.
Nursing Assistant (two courses)
The Nursing Assistant program is designed for students to receive their certification by completing coursework in classroom and clinical settings.
Objectives
- Explain activities of daily living and nursing assistant scope of practice.
- Demonstrate correct recognizing and reporting, communication, infection control, safety, and residents’ rights in the care setting.
- Demonstrate proficiency in all skills required for state certification.
- Perform nursing assistant skills in a healthcare setting.
Paramedic
The Paramedic program provides students with the training necessary to become licensed as Paramedics through the state of Utah and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The program partners with local fire departments and hospitals to help students develop strong critical thinking and medical skills. Hands-on instruction, laboratory simulation, and experiential clinical practice give students the confidence to handle a variety of prehospital care environments and emergency care situations.
Objectives
- Demonstrate patient assessment of the medical and trauma patient.
- Identify and apply cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills in a simulated out-of-hospital environment.
- Understand basic pharmacology and provide IV medications/administration.
- Perform advanced airway management and ventilation.
- Treat injuries and illnesses safely in pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.
- Treat injuries and illnesses safely using the entire spectrum of paramedic protocols under the supervision of an approved preceptor.
- Work cooperatively with professionals in the field.
Pharmacy Technician
The Pharmacy Technician program prepares students to support pharmacists by performing a wide range of practice-related duties for community, institutional, compounding, long-term care, mail-order, and other pharmaceutical settings. Students learn the most common medications, calculate dosages, process prescriptions, bill third-party insurance, learn aseptic techniques, and prepare sterile and non-sterile compounded medications. Students receive extensive hands-on training in the lab area using advanced pharmacy technology.
Objectives
- Practice personal and interpersonal skills needed in various pharmacy settings.
- Demonstrate the pharmacy technician's role in the medication-use process and wellness promotion.
- Recall the most utilized drugs by brand and generic name, indications, and interactions.
- Solve pharmacy mathematical calculations.
- Prepare sterile and non-sterile compounds.
Pipe Welding
In the Pipe Welding program, students will learn advanced pipe welding principles. Students will learn the day-to-day tasks of the advanced welder from lectures, hands-on application, and practice to be prepared to pass advanced ASME Section IX, AWS D1.1, and API 1104 welding certifications. Through instruction and hands-on practice, students will learn and test their skills for the following advanced welding processes GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, and GTAW.
Objectives
- Describe processes using proper terminology used in the pipe welding industry.
- Differentiate between processes and techniques used to weld on pipe versus traditional welding.
- Use advanced welding tools and equipment need for pipe welding.
- Pass the welding qualification tests.
Plumbing Apprenticeship
The Plumbing Apprenticeship program satisfies the educational requirements to take the State Journeyman Plumber Exam. To complete the entire Apprentice Plumbing Program, an individual must be licensed through the State and work under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman Plumber. A basic assessment is required prior to enrolling. This program provides a solid understanding of the International Plumbing Code (IPC), its layout, and the requirements for different plumbing systems and parts of those systems. This program discusses the processes, parts, and risks involved with the various plumbing systems as well as the safety equipment and measures that are in place to protect plumbers and the public alike.
Objectives
- Determine the application of the International Plumbing Code (IPC).
- Demonstrate how to navigate the International Plumbing Code (IPC).
- Calculate sizing of various piping, including natural gas, supply, and waste lines.
- Demonstrate the application of the International Fuel Gas Code.
- Demonstrate the application of the International Mechanical Code.
- Demonstrate practical application of plumbing mathematics.
- Apply critical and practical thinking skills necessary to pass the State Journeyman’s Test.
Plumbing Residential
The Plumbing Residential program satisfies the educational requirements to take the State Journeyman Residential Plumber Exam. A basic assessment is required prior to enrolling. This program provides a solid understanding of the International Plumbing Code (IPC), its layout, and the requirements for different plumbing systems and parts of those systems. This program discusses the processes, parts, and risks involved with the various plumbing systems as well as the safety equipment and measures that are in place to protect plumbers and the public alike.
Objectives
- Determine the application of the International Plumbing Code (IPC).
- Demonstrate how to navigate the International Plumbing Code (IPC).
- Calculate sizing of various piping, including natural gas, supply, and waste lines.
- Demonstrate the application of the International Fuel Gas Code.
- Demonstrate the application of the International Mechanical Code.
- Demonstrate practical application of plumbing mathematics.
- Apply critical and practical thinking skills necessary to pass the State Residential Journeyman’s Test.
Power Equipment and Motorcycle Technology
This certificate is designed to give students the opportunity to learn all aspects of power equipment and motorcycle engines and their various manufacturers. Instruction will include theory and lab where students will diagnose engine performance problems and repair them.
Objectives
- Recognize and maintain safety in the shop as well as personal work habits.
- Identify, use and differentiate between correct tools, including precision measuring instruments. Identify and use appropriate fasteners, gaskets, sealants, as well as torque and torque sequence.
- Identify, describe and summarize the structure of an atom, the fundamentals of electricity and electrical circuits, the relationship of magnetism with electricity, and electrical system construction and operation, ignition, lubrication and cooling systems.
- Identify, describe and summarize the principles of operation for two and four-stroke engines, and be able to differentiate the strengths of each style engine.
- Identify, describe and summarize the purpose of all engine components and their functions, as well as measuring engine performance including horsepower, toque, and energy output.
- Describe the benefits of carburetion and fuel injection systems along with their various components, as well as differentiate between different types of fuels.
- Identify, describe and summarize the purpose of transmission and other drive systems.
Powerplant Maintenance
The Airframe Maintenance program equips students with the necessary skills for a career in aviation maintenance. After completing this certificate, students will meet the Federal Aviation Administration requirements to take the General and Airframe tests required to earn their FAA Airframe license.
Objectives
- Perform aviation engine maintenance in alignment with FAA Standards.
- Prepare for FAA Licensing by fulfilling all prerequisites to sit for the Federal Aviation Administration General and Airframe licensing exams, qualifying for certification and practice in the field.
- Interpret diagnostic material for aviation maintenance and repair.
- Record maintenance logs and certify the airworthiness of aircraft.
Radiography Technology
The Radiography Technology program is the first step in your career as a Registered Radiologic Technologist. The primary responsibility of radiologic technologists is to create images of patients’ bodies using medical imaging equipment, such as X-ray, Fluoroscopy, and C-arm imaging. The images that you help create will help medical providers diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. In this program you will be instructed in classroom and laboratory settings to learn on-the-job skills, and then apply that knowledge in a clinical setting.
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of healthcare settings including but not limited to hospitals, urgent care, and family practice clinics. The experience you will gain at your clinical sites will put you on the path to a successful career as a Radiographic Technologist.
Objectives
- Demonstrate x-ray procedures from skull down to the lower extremity.
- Perform exceptional patient care.
- Explain how the x-ray tube works, the physics behind it, and how x-rays are produced.
- Perform 935 on the job training hours throughout the course of the program.
Real Estate
The Real Estate program is state approved and designed to prepare students to pass the licensing exams and earn a real estate license in the State of Utah. Utah law requires that students complete a 120-hour educational course before they take the Utah real estate licensing exam. Our Pre-Licensing course includes instruction and review tests to prepare students to take the Utah real estate sales agent exam.
Objectives
- Define and describe real property, land, and real estate.
- Distinguish between real and personal property.
- Compute basic math skills including profit & loss, simple interest, proration, commissions, etc.
- Identify the approved forms and addenda a licensee may fill out and the circumstances under which each should be used.
- Define closing as it relates to a real estate transaction.
- Differentiate between debits and credits.
- Explain how it is determined where debits and credits go on the settlement statement.
- Explain the term “agency” and the different agency types.
- Use the proper forms of agency including the relationship between agent, subagent, client, and customer.
- Compare and contrast the various types of ownership and indicate situations when each would be appropriate or required.
Robotics Technology
The Robotics Technology program covers essentials skills and safety, and electrical systems as a foundation to robotics technology. The robotics courses will cover robotics fundamentals, programming of 4-axis and 6-axis industrial robotic systems, and vision.
Objectives
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of mechanical systems, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair techniques.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
- Implement and properly use a variety of precision measurement tools and procedures.
- Apply mathematical concepts to real world applications.
- Read, utilize, and design blueprints and schematics.
- Operate, install, maintain, modify, and troubleshoot electrical systems.
- Apply and identify the technical aspects of industrial robotics; principles of robotics; power supplies, movement systems, sensing, control systems and maintenance.
- Utilizing an industry four-axis robotic system, the student will create programs for various industry applications, setup and usage of hardware and software, communications I/O, apply operation functions, end of arm tooling, usage of linear rail system and vision system.
- Demonstrate ability to create programs for a six-axis robotics handling system for various industry applications, use the teach pendant to operate, test, program, and troubleshoot robotic systems, and utilize teach frames.
- Demonstrate ability to create programs for robotics handling for various industry applications utilizing vision system and robotics handing skills.
Software Development
The Software Development program provides students with the opportunity to learn the languages and tools needed to start a career as a Software Developer. Languages and technologies taught will cover the spectrum from the front-end user interface to the back-end server, both desktop and mobile. Students will learn technologies and skills like Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, User interface and User Experience (UI/UX), Application Programming Interfaces (API), Developer Operations (DevOps), Cloud Computing, Version Control, Leadership, and Soft Skills. Students will learn code documenting, testing, and debugging to create and maintain software applications.
Objectives
- Explore modern software development.
- Deliver software applications using current project management practices.
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills with computer programming.
- Practice workplace professionalism.
- Demonstrate the use of techniques and tools necessary for Software Development.
Software Quality Assurance
The Software Quality Assurance program covers all aspects of software quality assurance, from manual testing to automated testing, API (Application Programming Interface) testing, and database management. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of software quality assurance principles, techniques, and tools, and to equip them with the skills required to ensure the delivery of high-quality software products.
Objectives
- Demonstrate software quality assurance principles and techniques and explain their role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products.
- Perform manual testing, automated testing, API testing, and database management.
- Describe the different types of software testing and how they are used to ensure software quality.
- Design, develop, and execute automated tests using industry-standard test automation frameworks and scripting languages.
- Explain principles of API testing, including load testing and endpoint testing, and develop skills in designing and executing these types of tests.
- Demonstrate testing, implementing, and managing databases, including data modeling, database normalization, indexing, data integrity, and data security.
- Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills by working on real-world software quality assurance projects.
- Present the importance of quality assurance in software development and its impact on business success.
Special Function Officer
Sterile Processing Technician
The beginning of a successful surgery begins with clean and sterile surgical instruments. As a Sterile Processing Technician, you will be an essential team member of the operating room and healthcare team. You will be responsible for the cleanliness, decontamination, inspecting and assembly of surgical instruments, packaging, and sterilization of all surgical instruments. As you pay close attention to details regarding instruments you will have to be an effective verbal and written communicator with the OR staff to make procedures a success. Sterile Processing Technicians have a strong understanding of decontamination and infection control to ensure their work protects patients and healthcare members from infections and diseases.
After completing this course, students will be prepared to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). This program is based on the HSPA certification, CRCST.
Objectives
- Identify the different instrumentation used in daily surgical procedures (scissors, forceps, clamps, retractors).
- Assemble surgical instrument trays and instruments designated for other departments (ED, Labor & Delivery, ICU, Cardiac Unit, Research).
- Demonstrate how to package single or paired instruments in paper/plastic pouches for sterilization. This packaging method is commonly known as the Peel Pack method.
- Demonstrate the different processes of sterilization methods such as high-temperature and low.
- Receive certification through the American Heart Association for Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider and First Aid.
- Be able to apply safe practices regarding PPE, bloodborne pathogens, and distinguish between different levels of disinfection (High, Intermediate, Low).
Surgical Technology
The Surgical Technology program is designed to prepare you for employment as an entry-level surgical technologist (ST). Students enrolled in this program will focus on the basics of surgical technology, microbiology, infection control, asepsis, and surgical techniques. Students will develop the fundamental concepts and principles necessary to successfully participate as a member of the surgical team.
Objectives
- Correlate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology to the roles and responsibilities of a surgical technologist.
- Identify commonly used equipment, supplies, and medications used in the perioperative setting.
- Apply the principles of asepsis to the perioperative environment.
- Perform competently and safely the skills of an entry-level surgical technologist.
- Use legal, moral, and ethical principles to evaluate the care of a surgical patient.
- Demonstrate the professional attributes of a surgical technologist.
- Pass the national certification examination.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic Massage is a comprehensive accredited program that prepares students to be eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and become Licensed Massage Therapists in the State of Utah. Based on the principles of Swedish massage and advanced techniques, this program introduces students to basic and advanced manipulative skills, the theory and practices of professional massage therapy, safety precautions, and the professional work habits and behaviors necessary for a successful career in massage therapy. Students participate in a supervised clinical phase to refine hands-on skills, advance their knowledge and techniques, and build confidence in working with clients. As trained and certified massage therapists, graduates are able to manipulate the soft tissues of the body — muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin — as an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension caused by a wide range of medical conditions and situations.
The minimum requirement for Licensed Massage Therapist certification in the State of Utah is 600 hours. The additional 225 hours in this program provide training in advanced skills. Upon completion of the 825-hour program, students demonstrate their competency in the following
Objectives
- Analyze and apply the anatomy and physiology of the human body in massage therapy.
- Assess clients’ soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Analyze clients’ medical history, stress, pain, and/or injury in determining the most effective massage techniques.
- Massage and knead of muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Apply advanced massage skills to safely and efficiently adapt massage therapy sessions to individual client needs.
- Use high ethical standards, codes of conduct, customer service, and clear communication when working with clients.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems program will prepare students to become FAA certificated as a remote pilot and gain introductory experience in flying and programming both fixed-wing and multirotor drones. Students will also gain introductory experience in maintaining and repairing aircraft, as well as collecting, analyzing, and reporting data and deliverables.
Objectives
- Apply factual knowledge of FAA requirements, regulations, and expectations in industry as well as for the Part 107 exam.
- Identify sUAS components, uses, designs, and applications related to industry.
- Perform basic skills in flight, repair, and construction techniques in both fixed-wing and multirotor drones.
- Utilize soft skills in documentation styles, reflection, in-class and online discussion, and analysis related to drone deliverables.
Veterinary Assisting
Veterinary Assisting provides students with hands-on training to develop skills to work as support staff in veterinary clinics, shelters, or other animal-based entities. Under the supervision of veterinarians, laboratory animal specialists, and zoological professionals, students learn to provide patient management, care, and clinical procedures assistance as well as owner communication. Including instruction in animal handling and restraint, nursing care, animal health and nutrition, clinical pathology, radiology, anesthesiology, lab procedures, blood collection, IV catheterization, surgical assisting, dental cleanings, vaccines, physical exams, office administration skills, and applicable standards and regulations.
Objectives
- Safely and successfully restrain and work with a variety of small and large animals.
- Perform nursing care, laboratory procedures, dental cleanings, IV catheterization, vaccinations, and physical exams.
- Perform routine lab procedures including blood collection, fecals, and infection control.
- Use appropriate veterinary terminology and pharmacology in communication with faculty, veterinarians, and other veterinary staff.
- Provide various species care and demonstrate appropriate interactions with clients and the animals’ owners.
