Imagine paying only $1.35 per “seat hour “tuition, plus fees. This is not a typo. Mountainland Applied Technology College has an open enrollment policy and for adults the price is right. High school students can also work with the school districts for reduced tuition. Locally, MATC is located at 789 E Bamberger Dr. Ste A in American Fork., but there are 79 UCAT instructional locations throughout the state of Utah..

In 2001, Governor Michael Leavitt and the Utah State Legislature created “UCAT” as a statewide technology college. Mountainlands is one of eight technology colleges that is scattered throughout the state of Utah. The UCAT services 12,328 secondary students and 29,021 post-secondary/adult students. These numbers surpass SLCC, UVU, and WSU in the career and technical education institutions. With numbers growing, it is thought that “90% of jobs providing a wage to sustain a family of four typically require some combination of vocational training and on-the job experience or an associate’s degree.” (ACT Ready for College, May 2006).

In our region, MATC is located in American Fork, Utah Valley University, Spanish Fork, Heber and Wasatch. Their offerings are wide and diverse including:

Auto Technology; Barbering and Cosmetology; Business; Carpentry; Commercial Truck Driving; Commercial Truck Driving; Culinary Arts; Dental, Medical, and Veterinarian Assisting; Diesel Mechanics; Emergency Medical; Information Technology; Nail and Pharmacy Technician; Media Design; Medical Billing; Nurse Assistant and Practical Nurse; Physical Therapy Aide; Wild land Firefighting

Next to affordability, flexibility is their next banner. One can start a course or program at any time and will finish a course or program upon completing the required competencies establish for that course or program. Normally any Monday, classes begin. The only exceptions are Nursing Assistant or EMT which require a certain number of seat hours to qualify for the state licensure requirements.

The State of Utah has also purchased property in Lehi by Thanksgiving Point. A large and comprehensive building has been designed and is waiting for state funding. The flagship program at this new facility will be a comprehensive nursing program for licensed practical nurses which are in a short supply across the United States.

There is no reason not to upgrade your skills, the cost is affordable, the open-entry-open-exit program is flexible. The workers with certificates and degrees are in high demand. Every way you look at it–MATC is a perfect match!!