Water Environmental Technology Online

Water Environmental Technology Online

Hands-On Learning to Fuel Your Future

The innovative Water Environmental Technology online program provides real-world experience with either a one- or two-year program. The two-year A.A.S. degree includes technical study in water/wastewater procedures complemented by math, science, social science, and humanities classes, as well as an internship.

Keep in mind: if you plan to earn your degree online, you must be ready for college-level math. Not all developmental math courses are available online.

Program graduates work in municipal water and wastewater treatment plants, as well as the collection systems and distribution systems that serve them. 

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Kirkwood is the affordable option! We offer more than $3 million in scholarships every year. 

Students in this program may be eligible to have half their tuition paid for by the Kibbie Grant.

Program graduates are able to:

  • Demonstrate oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills in an organized and coherent manner.
  • Perform related math skills for various treatment processes and adjustments.
  • Recognize different processes and apply them to treatment requirements.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of maintenance required for working in treatment systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of safety requirements for working in treatment systems.
  • Apply knowledge of processes to problems in order to troubleshoot system upsets.
  • Acquire state certification and advanced levels as experience allows.

All Water Environmental Technology students are required to attend a program conference. Before acceptance into the program, you'll be required to attend a program conference where you'll get more information about the program and be able to ask any questions you may have. 

Schedule your program conference appointment by emailing Kim Fensterman at kim.fensterman@kirkwood.edu.

Program Costs

Water Environmental Technology

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring

Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring Total
Credit Hours per Semester 18 14 3 14 19 68
In-State Tuition $3,906 $3,038 $651 $3,038 $4,123 $14,756
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $250
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Conferences/Seminars $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $620 $573.25 $0 $264.74 $563.20 $2,021.44
Course/Section Fees $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Laptop (required devices) $500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $500
Testing Fees $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated Cost $5,076.25 $3,661.25 $701 $3,352.74 $4,736.20 $17,527.44

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.


Program Requirements

To get into the Water Environmental Technology program, you must complete the following, in addition to Kirkwood’s steps to become a student:

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Wastewater Specialist Diploma*

Water Environmental Technology Diploma*

Water Treatment Specialist Diploma*

*State and federal aid may be used for the diploma on its own or as part of the degree program above.

All operators are required by law to be certified. Kirkwood’s program provides training and educational experiences that prepare students for certification examinations. Work experience requirements must be met before you are eligible to take an examination for certification. View the state listing guide to identify which Kirkwood program fulfills state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.

Students may transfer credits from this program to the University of Northern Iowa toward a bachelor's degree in technology management or the University of Iowa toward a bachelor's degree in applied studies.

Our mission in the Water Environmental Technology Program (WET) is to provide quality training and educational programs to graduate quality, qualified employees to aid the management and operating staff of municipal, commercial, and industrial facilities in meeting state and federal licensing and certification requirements.



Questions?

Industrial Technologies
101 Jones Hall
319-398-4983
indtech@kirkwood.edu