John Deere Tech (AAS.JDAT)

A new generation of farm equipment demands a new generation of service technicians. To meet this demand, John Deere Company has created the John Deere Tech program and has selected Lake Land College as one of a limited number of North American sites.

The John Deere Tech program, offered jointly by John Deere and Lake Land College in cooperation with John Deere dealers, offers students many unique opportunities including earning a salary while learning through on-the-job training at a participating dealership; training on the latest John Deere tractors, combines and implements and learning the newest diagnostic and servicing procedures.

Students also have the opportunity to move directly into employment with their sponsoring dealership upon successful completion of this associate in applied science degree program.

To apply for the John Deere Tech program:
1. complete the Lake Land College application/intent to enroll at https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/enroll
2. work with your John Deere dealer to complete the dealer sponsorship form - if you do not have a dealer sponsor, please contact Russ Neu to discuss getting one
3. take the Mechanical Reasoning test through the Testing Center (217-234-5301 or tutoringandtesting@lakelandcollege.edu).
4. contact your John Deere Tech Counselor for orientation and registration.

Program requirements may change over time. Specific degree/graduation requirements are determined by a degree audit.
Catalog Term Year: 2025 Fall
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Hours
JDA-080
John Deere Electrical Systems 
JDA-080
John Deere Electrical Systems
Basic electrical principles and applications of magnetism, electromagnetism and the safe utilization of electrical test meters. Principles of operation, testing and repair of ignition systems, cranking systems and charging systems will be demonstrated and practiced.

Course Outline
3.5
TEC-048
Applied Shop Computations 
TEC-048
Applied Shop Computations
Focuses on basic arithmetic and calculations necessary for solving shop-oriented problems involving ratio, proportion, percent, units conversion and algebra.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-073
JD Shop Skills & Fundamentals 
JDA-073
JD Shop Skills & Fundamentals
Procedures with respect to shop safety and organization, identification and proper use of tools, use of measuring equipment, plus orientation to John Deere manuals, warranty procedures, shop tickets and product identification evolution.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-111
John Deere Ag Software 
JDA-111
John Deere Ag Software
Use of computers as required by John Deere dealership service employees. Emphasis will be on locating service diagnostic and repair information. (Repeatable 1 Time)

Course Outline
2.0
JDA-091
John Deere Hydraulics I 
JDA-091
John Deere Hydraulics I
Covers principles and application of theory, construction, fluid flow and testing of components used on John Deere tractors, combines and consumer and commercial equipment.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

14.5
Second Semester
JDA-071
John Deere Power Trains 
JDA-071
John Deere Power Trains
Theory of power transmission from engine to traction wheels. Includes the function and operation of gears, chains, clutches, planetary gears, drive lines, differentials and transmissions. Complete disassembly, inspection and reassembly of John Deere components will occur. Also, diagnosis, repair and adjustment of John Deere transmissions will be covered.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-092
John Deere Hydraulics II 
JDA-092
John Deere Hydraulics II
A study of John Deere tractor and combine and sprayer hydraulic systems. Emphasis will be placed on diagnosis and repair of hydraulic and hydrostatic drive systems.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-086
John Deere Combine Production 
JDA-086
John Deere Combine Production
This course is a study of the theory and principles of operation of John Deere conventional and STS combines, corn heads and grain platforms. Pre-delivery, set-up and adjustment of combines and headers will be performed.

Course Outline
2.5
ECO-130
The American Economy 
ECO-130
The American Economy
Combines macroeconomics and microeconomics and focuses on basic supply and demand analysis, national income accounting, business cycles, inflation, unemployment types and structure of competition, fiscal and monetary policy and international economic problems.

Course Outline
OR
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology 
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology
Focuses on psychology as a science, presenting concepts, research methods and research in a variety of subfields, including neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, disorders and therapy and social psychology.

Course Outline
OR
SOS-052
Workplace Communication/Safety 
SOS-052
Workplace Communication/Safety
Provides an understanding of the human mechanism when associated with interpersonal relationship on the job. Emphasis placed on vocational motivation, communication and perception, along with Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid training to enhance safety and response skills in a workplace emergency.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-059
Ag Writing for Industry 
AGR-059
Ag Writing for Industry
Provides students a practical strategy for successful communication used within the agriculture industry. An extensive focus on effectively writing warranty claims within the various agriculture software platforms.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway 
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway
Students will study the writing process by reading essays illustrating a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing texts and writing, revising and editing short essays. Course is for students who have assessed into developmental English, receiving supplemental instruction for course completion.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-120
Composition I 
ENG-120
Composition I
Students develop a writing process by reading and analyzing texts that illustrate various rhetorical strategies as well as writing, revising and editing short essays. Minimally, students must compose four formal, revised writing assignments, having one reach at least 1,250 words.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

14.5
Summer Term
JDA-041
John Deere SOE I 
JDA-041
John Deere SOE I
Students will receive on-the-job experience in a John Deere dealership. This will allow them to practice and utilize the skills and knowledge learned previously. This work will be supervised by the sponsoring dealership and a Lake Land College John Deere Ag Tech instructor.

Course Outline
2.0
JDA-094
John Deere Air Cond Systems 
JDA-094
John Deere Air Cond Systems
Theory and principles of operation, diagnosis, and repair of John Deere heating and air conditioning systems. Students will also become certified to comply with state and federal laws.

Course Outline
2.5
JDA-113
John Deere Apex Software 
JDA-113
John Deere Apex Software
Use of computers and machines to become familiar with precision agriculture and global positioning systems installed on farm equipment and proper operation and repair of these units. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
2.0
JDA-072
JD Advanced Power Trains 
JDA-072
JD Advanced Power Trains
Students will put into practice the theories of diagnosis, disassembly, inspection, repair and reassembly of John Deere power train components. These components will include clutches, transmissions, differentials and final drives for both combines and tractors.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

9.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Hours
JDA-042
John Deere SOE II 
JDA-042
John Deere SOE II
Students will receive on-the-job experience in a John Deere dealership. This will allow them to practice and utilize the skills and knowledge learned previously. This work will be supervised by the sponsoring dealership and a Lake Land College John Deere Ag Tech instructor.

Course Outline
4.0
JDA-087
John Deere Fuel Systems 
JDA-087
John Deere Fuel Systems
Basic understanding of the operating principles of John Deere fuel systems. Students will also learn diagnosis, removal, installation and repair of John Deere mechanical and electrical-electronic fuel system components.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-050
John Deere Engine Systems 
JDA-050
John Deere Engine Systems
An introduction to John Deere engines and their systems. Basic theory of engine principles will be discussed along with diagnosis and repair of intake and exhaust, cooling, lubrication systems, cylinder heads, bearings and crankshafts.

Course Outline
3.0
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication 
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication
Focuses on the fundamental principles and methods of selecting, analyzing, organizing, developing and communicating information, evidence and points of view to audiences.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

13.0
Second Semester
JDA-095
John Deere Equip Diagnostics 
JDA-095
John Deere Equip Diagnostics
This class will provide the student with an opportunity to develop proper diagnostic skills needed at a dealership.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-082
Jd Advanced Elect/Electronic Sys 
JDA-082
Jd Advanced Elect/Electronic Sys
Designed to develop and strengthen the student's knowledge in electrical/electronic systems. Upon completion, the student will be able to properly use service equipment to diagnose electronically controlled components and monitor systems used on tractors, planting and harvesting equipment.

Course Outline
3.5
JDA-043
John Deere SOE III 
JDA-043
John Deere SOE III
Students will receive on-the-job experience in a John Deere dealership. This will allow them to practice and utilize the skills and knowledge learned previously. This work will be supervised by the sponsoring dealership and a Lake Land College John Deere Ag Tech instructor.

Course Outline
4.0
POS-160
American National Government 
POS-160
American National Government
The fundamental principles of the American Government are summarized. Such topics as federalism, civil liberties, citizenship, parties and elections, the Presidency, Congress, Judiciary and national policies and politics are discussed within the framework of the American Constitutional system.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

13.5

Total Program Hours

65.0
Suggested Electives
AGR-052
Principles of Crop Production 
AGR-052
Principles of Crop Production
Designed to develop needed skills involved in production of the major field crops in central Illinois and Indiana. Plant growth, crop choice, tillage, planting and sowing for maximum yields are emphasized.

Course Outline
3.0
HED-178
Responding to Emergencies 
HED-178
Responding to Emergencies
The purpose of the American Red Cross Responding to Emergency course is to provide the citizen responder with the knowledge and skills necessary in an emergency to help sustain life.

Course Outline
2.0
WLD-040
Welding Fundamentals 
WLD-040
Welding Fundamentals
Course will cover basic welding processes, including: oxy-acetylene welding, arc welding, cutting and brazing. (AWS SENSE I Modules 1-5 and 7)

Course Outline
2.5
JDA-054
Jd Turf & Utility Equipment 
JDA-054
Jd Turf & Utility Equipment
This course is a study of John Deere consumer and commercial equipment. Operation, diagnosis and repair of internal combustion engines, engine ignition systems, electrical and safety systems, fuel systems and mowing attachments will be covered.

Course Outline
2.0
JDA-051
JD Tillage & Seeding Equipment 
JDA-051
JD Tillage & Seeding Equipment
This class is an introduction to John Deere tillage and seeding equipment, including theory and principles of operation, set-up and adjustment, troubleshooting and repair.

Course Outline
3.0
JDA-114
John Deere Hay Equipment 
JDA-114
John Deere Hay Equipment
This course introduces students to John Deere hay equipment. This equipment includes mower-conditioners, hay rakes, small square balers and large round balers.

Course Outline
2.0