University of Illinois Springfield Launched New Degree

The program introduces a work-and-learn model to support the state's manufacturing sector.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Manufacturing

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a stylized robotic arm and mechanical gear, evoking industrial engineering and academic innovation. — The University of Illinois Springfield launched a new bachelor's degree in engineering technology, featuring a work-and-learn model aimed at the manufacturing sector. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of Illinois Springfield has launched a new bachelor of applied science in engineering technology program. The initiative aims to provide specialized training in robotics, automation, and machine learning to support the state's manufacturing industry.

Why it matters

The program helps address growing demand for skilled workers who can adapt to rapid technological shifts in manufacturing. It focuses on upskilling the current workforce to maintain the competitiveness of the regional industrial economy.

Manufacturing accounts for 14% of the Illinois economy, serving as a critical pillar for the state. The new degree program seeks to bolster this sector by integrating academic credit with on-site professional work.

The players

University of Illinois Springfield

This public university serves as a key educational institution in Illinois and recently launched the engineering technology degree.

Illinois Manufacturers' Association

This trade association represents the manufacturing industry across the state and recently visited Springfield for a bus tour.

The details

Students in the program earn academic credit for work performed at manufacturing sites under the guidance of a professor. The curriculum is specifically designed to train students to identify mechanical issues and collaborate with engineers on design improvements.

October 5, 2026: Illinois Manufacturers' Association held a bus tour stop in Springfield.
October 2026: The Manufacturing Month celebration took place.
Next two years: The University of Illinois Springfield will focus on the health technology sector.

Market Landscape

The program aligns with industry-wide efforts to bridge the gap between higher education and the specialized technical requirements of modern manufacturing plants. This move positions the university to capture market share in vocational training as competitors struggle to keep pace with automation demands.

Local workers can now leverage existing manufacturing employment to earn college credit through the university's work-and-learn model. This provides a pragmatic path for residents to gain advanced technical credentials without leaving their current roles.

The takeaway

This new curriculum serves as a critical bridge for workers seeking to transition into higher-tech roles within the local manufacturing industry. Prospective students should review the program requirements to see if their current workplace qualifies for academic credit.

What happens next

The university plans to begin a specific focus on the use of robotics in blood testing over the next two years as part of its expansion into the health technology sector.