Aviation Maintenance Programs FAQs

DCC admits only 25 students into each cohort of the program. Cohorts are scheduled to start in August, December and April of each year. Registration is first-come, first-served, so it’s essential to register early.

Your first step is to apply to DCC and select the Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate program. You will get an acceptance letter, an ID number and instructions to complete a required program orientation. Once accepted, you will need to meet with your academic coach to review your degree plan and register for your courses.

The Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate has 3 consecutive terms. The terms for this program do not start/end like the regular semesters for all other programs; please see the program information page for the degree plan. This program is designed to be completed as quickly as possible. Students will have a 40-hour/week schedule (8 hours of instruction/day) with some Saturdays required.

Enrolled students can complete this certificate program in 3 terms, as little as 1 year.

The Airframe and Powerplant Technician certificate estimated costs for the program are $21,323. You can view a breakdown of the costs at this link: Aviation Technician Program Fees.

After being accepted and prior to your first course, you will be required to purchase a toolkit and a Chrome Book. The cost of these required items are included in the Course and Program Fees. Once registered into your first term courses, the College will order your toolkit and it will be ready at the training site for your use.

Students seeking financial aid or scholarships should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship webpages for information about different types of financial aid, scholarship opportunities and payment plans.

There are 13 technical classes that students will take in sequence across 3 terms. The Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate is designed so that students take one technical course at a time, completing 4-5 technical courses each term. Completion of the Certificate also requires completion of two academic courses in the first and third terms.

Students must earn a C or higher in each technical course in order to proceed to the next technical course in the sequence. 

If you are a student who has completed college level coursework at another college or university, or through programs such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or the Armed Forces you will need to submit an official transcript or official score reports from each institution to Dutchess Community College to be evaluated for possible transfer credit. It is highly recommended that you submit any transcripts for review prior to your first semester at DCC.

DCC only transfers in credits that are applicable to the student’s current degree program and that were earned at a regionally accredited institution (e.g. Middle States Association.) To have a course accepted as transfer for an equivalent to an existing DCC course, the course content, learning outcomes, length/time of instruction of the course and credit value will be the primary determining factors to its transferability.

The maximum number of credits transferred in is 40 applicable academic credits. Only courses in which the student has received a grade of at least “C” will be considered for transfer credit. Courses and credits, but not grades, are accepted. Transfer credits from other institutions will have no bearing on a student’s QPA or CPA.

In those instances, where a department chair can determine that a student is proficient in a course without the results of a proficiency test, the department chair may initiate the Certification of Credit by Proficiency Form as soon as the student presents evidence of paying the required $35 fee.

A student who fails one course during the program may continue in the cohort and will have to take and pass the failed course following a study plan agreed upon with the program chair, coordinator and academic coach. If a student fails more than one course, it will result in dismissal from the program. Any student dismissed from the program may reapply at a later time and should meet with an academic coach, program chair and Aviation and Maintenance coordinator to receive guidance in the process.

Yes, students are required to complete 100% of the 1,904 hours for the technical courses in the certificate. Missed hours must be made up and there will be opportunities for make-up sessions offered during the semester. Students should ensure that all attendance requirements for each course have been met or that they have a plan, approved by the Aviation and Maintenance coordinator, to successfully complete said requirements. Students who have to complete make-up hours might be assessed additional course fees.