Learn at home to advance your career

Have a technical AAS degree? Our fully online Bachelor of Science in Technology with an emphasis in Applied Manufacturing Technology (BS-AMT) is a convenient and affordable way to build on your degree, advance into leadership positions, and increase your earning potential. Economists predict a surge in manufacturing job openings as the industry expands and highly skilled workers retire. Manufacturing jobs pay well, and a BS-AMT from NIU opens the door to management and leadership positions.

Program overview

Our BS-AMT Program builds on your manufacturing knowledge and develops leadership skills for the manufacturing and technology fields. Online courses are taught by world-class NIU faculty who bring real industry challenges into the classroom.

Courses focus on:

• Supervision, Training and Evaluation
• Project Management
• Quality Control and Work Simplification
• Safety, Accident Prevention, and Disaster Preparedness
• Facilities Design and Management Technology
• Manufacturing Distribution   

Here's what alumni are saying:

• "My NIU technology degree has provided me with the tools to feel confident in the job I had, as well as the knowledge to continue advancing my career." - Ryan Skinner, '15
• "The biggest benefits of this program were that all of the classes were offered online and that the transfer process was seamless. After receiving my degree, I was promoted three levels and received a $25,000 salary increase." - Chuck Grimm, '13
• "Because of my degree I received a promotion six months before my graduation." - Erick Brinker, '13
• "I was often passed over for promotion due to my lack of a four-year degree. Since completing my BS, I have been promoted twice." - Ben Schmitt, '11
• "I returned to school after many years of working in industry. NIU provided the opportunity to advance my education and career without having to sacrifice my job." - John Kessinger, '11

Getting Started Steps

1. Begin at your local community college in an appropriate Associate of Science, Associate of Engineering Science or Associate of Applied Science degree.
2. Work closely with your community college and NIU advisors to make sure you are taking all the pre-requisite courses needed for your bachelor’s degree from NIU.
3. Apply to NIU once you’ve completed at least 24 hours of course credit at your local community college. 

Sample Four-Year Degree Plan

RVC and NIU advisors will develop individualized plans for each student. The tables below give a general outline of a schedule to complete the degree in four years.

To find out whether you have completed enough of your community college courses and are ready to apply to NIU, please contact:

• Prospective Students or Current RVC Students: David Schneider at (815) 921-4278 or D.Schneider@rockvalleycollege.edu
• Students Who Attended/Are Currently Attending Another Community College: Ghazi Malkawi, NIU Engineering @ RVC, at (815) 921-1621 or gmalkawi@niu.edu

• Alpha Controls & Services
• Alpine Bank
• Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc
• Atwood Foundation
• Bergstrom Inc.
• BMO Harris Bank
• Bourn & Koch Inc
• Ceroni Piping
• CLARK Legacy Foundation
• Field Fastener
• Greenlee Textron
• The Helm Group
• Illinois Bank & Trust
• JP Morgan Chase & Co.
• Morse Electric
• Northwestern Illinois Contractors Association
• Ringland Johnson Construction
• Rockford Area Association of Realtors
• Rockford Linear Actuation, Inc.
• Rockford Toolcraft, Inc.
• Stenstrom Foundation
• William Charles Construction
• Woodward
• Workplace