Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics A.A.S. - Career Degree

Design, program & troubleshoot smart machines

An Associate in Applied Science in Automation, Robotics & Mechatronics (A.R.M.) is an excellent program for all who enjoy working in a challenging and hands-on environment. The field of A.R.M. combines skills in mechanical, electrical, and control technology to revolutionize how machines interact with the world.

Graduates with a degree in A.R.M. will have the skills to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair automated “smart” machines and devices. Smart machines include industrial robot systems, smart cars, automated manufacturing lines, animatronics, artificial limbs as well as automated systems you use all the time such as ATM machines, home sensors, and home appliances.

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Automation, Robotics & Mechatronics?

With an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in A.R.M., you stand out from the competition and advance in your career. Use the skills you learn in the program to work in a challenging, hands-on environment in field service locations and production facilities worldwide.

After graduation, almost all students work for automation companies as service technicians in Illinois and Wisconsin. Many professional avenues also exist in related fields.

See what students love about the automation, robotics and mechatronics program at CLC. Picture yourself here:

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Highlights

Advanced Technology Center (ATC)

State-of-the-art facilities to build career-ready skills
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Degree

Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills.
Program Length: 2 Years

Full-time students finish in 2 years.
WIOA Program

Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers.

Career Outlook

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $68,464
  
  Median
  
  $103,219
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $156,611
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $32.91
  
  Median
  
  $49.62
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $75.29
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  1.34%
  
  Certificate
  
  8.93%
  
  Some college
  
  8.32%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  28.63%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  52.29%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  0.49%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $62,976
  
  Median
  
  $118,106
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $192,926
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30.27
  
  Median
  
  $56.78
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $92.75
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  1.2%
  
  Some college
  
  21.46%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  10.01%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  66.14%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  1.2%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $62,976
  
  Median
  
  $118,106
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $192,926
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30.27
  
  Median
  
  $56.78
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $92.75
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  3.33%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  16.67%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  56.67%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  16.67%
  
  Doctorate
  
  6.67%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.

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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours from academic year 2024-2025. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Learn about courses, faculty, related programs and more.

View the Automation, Robotics and Mechatronic Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

The A.A.S. in A.R.M. is 61–63 credit hours and takes an average of 2 years to complete. Every 1st-year A.R.M. class consists of 1 hour of lecture and 3 hours of hands-on activity every day.
Your second year of study requires six additional advanced technical courses. Three of the advanced classes consist of two hours of lecture and two hours of lab. The remaining advanced classes are offered at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) every semester with flexible days and times.
CLC is one of the few schools where you learn within the Siemens mechatronics apprenticeship model. Immerse yourself in the technical world of mechatronics with a guide to teach principles that apply to all automation systems.
You can qualify to take the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certifications, which give you industry-standard recognition for what you’ve learned. Current plans are to offer the following SACA certifications:
- Mechanical Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Pneumatics and Hydraulic Systems
- Robotics
You receive hands-on learning and build expertise in:
- using troubleshooting skills to identify, foresee and prevent problems in automated systems
- designing programmable logic controller (PLC) networks, including configuration and data transfer using bus systems.
- applying knowledge of process control technology
- integrating robotics and vision systems into manufacturing cells
- installing automation systems
- optimizing automation systems for cost effectiveness and efficiency
You will learn by doing.
Throughout the program, you practice skills in designing, programming and troubleshooting of automated systems skills in the laboratory. Each class in the certificate program consists of one hour of lecture followed by three hours of hands-on lab work—plenty of time to practice what you just learned in lecture.
Your smaller classes (16 students max) give you more time with your instructors. Speaking of time, most classes last 4 hours—and most of that time you’re in the lab, hands and brain engaged.
You gain skills and expertise in:
- programming robots
- working with fluid power
- working with control systems
Demonstrate your knowledge by building a manufacturing cell consisting of a conveyor, sensors, fluid power, electrical wiring and control system programming in your Capstone course.
Yes, you can, but since this is a full-time program, it is more difficult and requires good time management to work full time while taking a full-time class load. There are both day and evening cohorts to work around your schedule.
Start right away with your associate degree in roles such as:
- automation technician
- field service technician
- robotics technician
- mechatronics technician
- electro-mechanical technician
- programmable logic controller programmer
With additional education, you can become a:
- mechatronics engineer
- robotics engineer
- automation engineer
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
View current tuition and fees
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

What students say about CLC

Gabewil Mattheau Chan Sanoria
Student
"We want to live in a society where everyone's taken care of and I think robotics could push that forward."
Gabewil is earning a degree in automation, robotics and mechatronics. He sees opportunity for robotics to advance the caregiving profession. Eventually, he plans to start his own business.
Learn about manufacturing careers
Kylie Kundert
Student
"I knew I would come out of it with the skills necessary to enter into the workforce."
Kylie is earning a degree in automation, robotics and mechatronics. After touring the lab at CLC, she knew advanced manufacturing was her future. And that she'd gain the skills here to succeed.
Learn about manufacturing careers
Chad Holt
Adult Learner
"I have a lot of technical skills, but I didn't have the formal education side. I've connected a lot of dots (in this program), and it's really helped me to polish and hone my skills."
Chad is a full-time employee striving to earn associate degrees in automation, robotics and mechatronics and mechanical engineering technology. His goal is to upskill and advance in his field.
Read Chad's story

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Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics

Design, program & troubleshoot smart machines

What can you do with an A.A.S. in Automation, Robotics & Mechatronics?

Highlights

Advanced Technology Center (ATC)

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Degree

Program Length: 2 Years

WIOA Program

Career Outlook

Mechanical Engineers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Mechatronics Engineers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Robotics Engineers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

How long is the program?

Why should I study Automation, Robotics & Mechatronics at CLC?

What and how will I learn?

How will an A.A.S. in Automation, Robotics & Mechatronics prepare me for my career?

Can I work full-time in this program?

What jobs can I get into after I complete my A.A.S. degree?

How much does this program cost?

What students say about CLC

Gabewil Mattheau Chan Sanoria

Kylie Kundert

Chad Holt

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

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Visit us

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