Graduates of the Computer Engineering Technology program will be trained in the latest technologies and equipped with the practical skills and hands-on experience necessary for thriving in advanced technology industries. Students can enjoy an integrated education with a unique technology pathway that features participation in extensive industrial practicums. This program is offered at both Lexington and Paducah campuses. The programs are a 2-plus-2 arrangement that allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) from a designated Kentucky Community and Technical College Systems School (BCTCS or WKCTC) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) from the University of Kentucky, in two years. Students will work towards their Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Kentucky during the second two years.
Computer Engineering Technologists are employed as embedded software technologists, computer support specialists, networking support specialists, automation engineers, applications engineers, telecommunications engineers, network support technical engineers, and network administrators. Computer Engineering Technologists are employed by industry, academia and government labs for manufacturing and analysis.
Industries Looking for You
If you are interested in applying, please begin by applying to BCTC. If you are interested in the BS in Computer Engineering Technology, you will apply for the AAS in Computer Engineering Technology on the BCTC application.
BCTC will be your home institution until you complete all requirements for an AAS degree. If you complete your AAS degree requirements within a designated three-year period and meet the admission requirements as established by the UK Pigman College of Engineering (i.e., maintained a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 and completed MAT 170 or it equivalent with a C or higher grade), UK will become your home institution to complete the remaining courses in the curriculum. Your UK catalog year will be based on the year you enrolled in the joint program.
Transfer Students
To be accepted into the joint UK/BCTC program, transfer students must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0 and have completed MA 123 (MAT 170) or its equivalent with a C or higher grade and may be required to complete some courses at BCTC.
Current UK Students
If you are enrolled in any of UK-COE’s degree programs but want to change your major to Computer Engineering Technology, you will need to consult with your academic advisor and follow the process for a change in major as required by UK. You must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0, and you may be required to complete some courses at BCTC.
Current BCTC Students
If you are enrolled in the BCTC but want to change your major to the AAS in Computer Engineering Technology to enable you to pursue the BS in Computer Engineering Technology, you will need to consult with your academic advisor and follow the process for a change in major as required by BCTC. You must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0.
Learn more about the Computer Engineering Technology curriculum here.
2023-24 Curriculum Previous CurriculaLearning also happens in student organizations, on field trips, and on community service projects. Computer Engineering Technology students can get involved with the Association for Computing Machinery, Association for Computing Machinery for Women, Society of Women Engineers, Kentucky Organization of Robotics and Automation, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and more.
In addition to financial aid and scholarships from BCTC, computer engineering technology students are eligible for the Toyota Engineering Technology Diversity Scholarship Fund and the Stanley and Karen Pigman Engineering Technology Scholarship Program. More information about those scholarships can be reviewed here.
The computer engineering technology program offers numerous opportunities to obtain hands-on experience through summer internships and co-operative education with many companies throughout the U.S. These experiences often lead to full-time engineering professional positions upon graduation.
The Engineering Career and Co-op Center is a valuable resource for assisting you with developing job and co-op search skills; participating in education-abroad programs and participating in research endeavors and career network development so you can secure a rewarding career in your chosen field of study.
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$138,080
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
78,100
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
3,600
new jobs (average)
Computer hardware engineers usually work in research laboratories that build and test various types of computer models. Most work in computer systems design services and in manufacturing.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreComputer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$99,700
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
147,400
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
-16,600
new jobs (average)
Programmers usually work in office settings, most commonly in the computer systems design and related services industry. Most computer programmers work full time.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Pigman College of Engineering
143 Graham Avenue
Lexington, KY 40506-0108
(859) 257-9162
