The Applied Engineering Technology program curriculum leads to an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and prepares students for employment in a range of scientific technology occupations, and also provides a foundation for transfer to four-year technology programs. The flexible design of the program allows students to choose from a range of scientific technology fields, including engineering technology, among others that are developed as industry trends demand. Students will be prepared to demonstrate scientific observation skills, to operate equipment and/or relevant software, and to promote safety and quality in the workplace.

Students in the Applied Engineering Technology program may choose courses from two pathways: engineering technology or transfer.

The engineering technology pathway is geared toward the student who wishes to complete the A.A.S. degree and seek employment upon graduation in an electrical and/or technical field where knowledge of basic electronics is essential. This pathway includes core electronics courses and AET electives. The electives include in-context principles and concepts relative to the workplace environments that students may be employed in.

The transfer pathway is designed to allow a student to transfer into a bachelor's degree engineering technology program. Locally, both Temple and Drexel offer engineering technology degree programs at the bachelor's degree level. College-level chemistry and physics are components of these curricula along with precalculus math courses.

Engineering technology programs emphasize problem solving and having lab and technical based skills, and they prepare individuals for application-oriented careers like manufacturing, field-service, marketing, technical sales or as technical members of an engineering team.

Community College of Philadelphia was found in the year 1965. It is the largest public institution of the higher education in Philadelphia and the sixth largest in Pennsylvania with more than 70 degree and certificate programs. Many of the degree seeking students transfer to four-year institutions while others seek employment in the Philadelphia region. More than 90% of the students remain in the area and seek employment strengthening the local economy and workforce.