Nuclear Technology
Few fields offer as much innovation, impact, and opportunity as nuclear technology. Nuclear Energy has been identified as one of the most promising solutions for our increasing energy needs. Our Nuclear Technology program, one of the few in the country, delivers a state-of-the-art education that prepares graduates for high-demand careers in industries that power, heal, and protect the world.
Students gain the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to work with nuclear reactors and radioactive materials safely and effectively. Graduates are qualified for employment in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, health care, research reactors, nuclear power generation, hazardous waste removal, and government agencies.
The program offers two degree options, Radiation Protection and Reactor Operations. Both are designed to meet the needs of employers across the nuclear sector. Developed in partnership with the University of Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, Ameren Missouri Callaway Energy Center, and Exelon Nuclear Corporation, this is the only program of its kind in Missouri and one of only a few in the nation.
Faculty bring real-world industry experience into the classroom, and strong partnerships ensure students train with the same technologies and standards used by professionals in the field. Nuclear Technology students participate in a unique, industry-aligned internship experience. Instead of a traditional summer internship, the Nuclear Technology program accommodates a fall timeframe so that interns can gain valuable experience supporting regularly scheduled plant outages. To prepare, both the Radiation Protection and Reactor Operations students focus on radiation safety and procedure training for the nuclear industry during the prior summer semester. Students are certified by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) through written knowledge exams and task performance evaluations using EPRI Standardized Task Evaluations (STE). The STE process ensures technicians are trained and qualified through a systematic approach. This internship experience provides students a solid launching point for careers in the nuclear industry.
As the largest non-carbon source of electricity in the U.S., nuclear power provides 20% of the nation’s energy, and the need for skilled technicians continues to grow. With rising demand in medical, industrial, and energy applications, job prospects and starting salaries for graduates remain exceptional. It is not uncommon for graduates to make six figures early in their careers.
At State Tech, you don’t just study energy, you learn to harness the power that drives the world.
Program Facts
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Why Study Nuclear Technology at State Tech
Job Demand
The Nuclear Technology program offers the student a unique opportunity to obtain state-of-the-art education that will put the graduate in demand by any organization or business that operates nuclear reactors or handles radioactive substances to include advanced manufacturing, life sciences, health care, research reactors, the nuclear power industry, hazardous waste removal companies, and government agencies. Technicians with the educational background this program provides are in high demand now, and with the rising use of radiation in diagnostics, medical treatment and applications, and potential expansion of nuclear power technology, this demand will remain high for years to come.
Hands-on Education
Students will gain an understanding of the nuclear power industry, including operating nuclear reactors, hazardous waste removal, fundamentals of Radiation Protection, and how radiation is used in the healthcare industry.
Graduate Job-Ready
This program was developed cooperatively with the Department of Energy and Nuclear Energy Institute, the University of Missouri Research Reactor, the University of Missouri Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, Ameren Missouri, Callaway Energy Center, and Exelon Nuclear Corporation, all leaders in the nuclear industry. This means the curriculum closely aligns with industry standards and requirements and allows our graduates to be prepared for their careers.
What you'll learn
- Students will gain an understanding of the nuclear power industry, including operating nuclear reactors, hazardous waste removal, fundamentals of Radiation Protection, and how radiation is used in the healthcare industry.
- Skills required to appraise worksite conditions requiring radiological controls.
- Skills required to inspect and test nuclear plant systems, structures and components.
- Knowledge and skills aligned with National Academy for Nuclear Training.
Alumni Success Story
Program Details
Highlights
- This program is the only one of its kind in Missouri and one of only a handful in the nation.
- Students graduate prepared to perform Radiation Protection Standard Tasks.
- Industry curriculum is utilized throughout the program to provide students the opportunity to start as Radiation Protection Technicians or Equipment Operators.
- The average starting salary of a graduate from our Nuclear Technology program is more than $50,000.
- Students can choose between specialty options in Radiation Protection and Reactor Operations.
Interesting Courses
The core curriculum is designed to follow training requirement guidelines established by the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP) and supported by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), and many nuclear utility companies.
Concentrations
- Students will gain understanding of the nuclear power industry, including operating nuclear reactors, hazardous waste removal, fundamentals of Radiation Protection, and how radiation is used in the healthcare industry.
- The curriculum is aligned with the objectives of the INPO National Academy for Nuclear Training (NANT) document and the ACAD 08-006 Uniform Curriculum Guide for Technician, Maintenance, and Non-licensed Operations Personnel Associate Degree Programs.
- The curriculum also provides students with the opportunity to become qualified in nuclear radiation protection industry Standardized Task Evaluations.
Career Possibilities
- Reactor Operations Technician
- Radiation Protection Technician
- Nuclear Operations Technician
Truly hands-on education
We believe time-on-task has to be part of your education. That means time spent learning from experienced instructors in real-world environments and real-world situations. That’s why the State Tech campus is home to more than 50 labs, an automotive bay, aviation hangar, and 40+ acres of land dedicated to our heavy equipment operations program.
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