The mechatronics track of Hesston College’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering prepares students for careers in robotics, automation and advanced engineering systems. Our program integrates mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, with hands-on experience at the core of learning. From day one, students design and develop mechatronic systems, gaining real-world problem-solving skills. With access to industry-standard software, 3D printers and a dynamic robotics workshop, students are well-equipped to innovate and excel. Beyond the classroom, students engage in internships with local industries, ensuring practical experience that complements their coursework.
Career Possibilities
If you're ready to turn your analytical mind and creativity into a career in a fast-growing field, Hesston College provides the tools, mentorship and opportunities to make it happen.
- Robotics engineer or technician
- Automation engineer
- Control system design/troubleshooting engineer
- Electronics design engineer
- Mechanical design engineer
- Data scientist or big data analyst
- Instrumentation engineer
- Software engineer
- Process engineer or systems engineer
Alumni Spotlight
Through internships at AGCO Corporation, Electrex, Inc., and Kice Industries Inc., I’ve gained real-world experience in quality assurance, CAD drafting and manufacturing engineering.
As I step into my next chapter in life, I carry all the lessons, values, and friendship from Hesston with a great gratitude for everyone who has walked this journey with me.
– Jessica Raharjo ‘25
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in engineering at Hesston College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission Institutional Action Council. This allows Hesston College to offer a Bachelor of Science in engineering with a mechatronics track, totaling 126 credit hours.
Engineering Program
Mission
Hesston College’s School of Engineering provides a student-focused education that graduates engineers who embody professionalism, technical expertise and ethical leadership skills which they use to serve their communities and the world.
Program Educational Objectives
Engineering students from Hesston College, three to five years post-graduation, will be improving society by:
COMPETENCE
Demonstrating technical knowledge and expertise in their profession and innovating beyond the state of the art.
CONNECTION
Demonstrating interpersonal and leadership skills so as to contribute to teams and projects of substantial size.
CHARACTER
Making sustainable and ethical decisions for the betterment of individuals, companies, society and the world.
Student Outcomes
At graduation, engineering students will attain the following outcomes:
- An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze, and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Completion statistics are available on the Consumer Information page under Student Outcomes.
Application for Admission
First Time Freshman Engineering Admission Criteria:
To be admitted to the Hesston College Engineering program as a first time freshman and be eligible to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, students must meet the following criteria:
- High school GPA of 2.75 or cumulative college GPA of 2.5 based on a minimum of 12 credit hours
- Minimum ACT composite score of 19, OR minimum SAT score of 1000. (International students don’t have to take the ACT or SAT.)
- Must complete mathematics through pre-calculus prior to beginning at Hesston College in the fall
- Other eligibility requirements include social character and legal standards
Applicants whose native language is not English must also meet one of the following:
- Earn a TOEFL iBT score of 55 or equivalent; OR
- Have earned a high school diploma or GED in the United States.
Students who have not completed mathematics through pre-calculus or do not score a 55 or above on the TOEFL iBT can be admitted to the School of Engineering on a five-year plan. After their first year, students will then be reassessed on calculus readiness and language proficiency. If they meet both standards, they will proceed forward with courses in the engineering bachelor’s degree path.
Engineering Progression Standards:
Qualified engineering students enrolled at Hesston College are granted a guarantee of continued enrollment in engineering coursework provided they meet progression standards:
- Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at Hesston College each semester, and
- Achieve grades of C or above in all core engineering courses and a cumulative 2.5 GPA in all Hesston College courses.
Transfer Student Admission Criteria
In order to be on track to complete their bachelor’s degree in four years, the student must meet the criteria for the year in which they wish to join. They may transfer if they don’t meet those requirements, but they will take additional semester(s) to complete their degree. For example, a student who has completed two years at another institution but does not meet all the criteria for joining the third year of the program must meet the criteria for the second year.
Transfer student admission criteria for second year (must meet each qualifier prior to year two of Hesston College engineering coursework):
- An academic plan to complete 26 of the 32 liberal education and support course credit hours required in year one of engineering study prior to beginning year two - sophomore level courses (the six remaining hours may NOT include Calculus I, Calculus II and Physics for Scientists and Engineers I);
- Grades of C or above in all core engineering courses (calculus track, physics track) and an overall GPA of 2.50 in required courses based on a minimum of 24 college credits; and
- ACT composite score of 19 or combined SAT score of 1000.
Applicants whose native language is not English must provide one of the following:
- A high school diploma or GED earned in the United States, or
- An iBT with a minimum score of 55.
