Convenient Online Coursework

The Associate of Science in Firearms Technology Degree program blends flexible online learning with hands-on application. As a DEAC-accredited school, SDI gives students the opportunity to study from home while building practical skills.

Tools and materials are shipped throughout the program to support coursework in areas like maintenance, modification, machining, and shop safety, helping students turn theory into practice in their own workspaces.

Learn what you love from the comfort of your home

The Associate of Science in Firearms Technology degree program offers SDI students the opportunity to gain a complete understanding of firearms technology and how to navigate the unique and exciting firearms industry without having to travel or relocate. This 60-semester-hour program is the most comprehensive of SDI’s programs, and is one of only a handful of firearms-specific degree programs in the nation.

With the successful completion of this program, a student will be able to do the following:

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local firearms laws and regulations to ensure legal compliance in gunsmithing practices.
• Develop firearms and ammunition vocabulary to distinguish between broad industry terms and manufacturer-specific language.
• Distinguish firearms and ammunition by industry-defined characteristics and terms, to support the translation of customer-identified problems.
• Use safe industry practices while applying tools and knowledge to effect firearms-related repairs or customizations.
• Apply gunsmithing techniques across various firearms platforms to complete basic modifications or upgrades consistent with industry standards or good craftsmanship.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical and operational issues in firearms, utilizing critical thinking and specialized tools to implement effective solutions.
• Uphold industry standards for workplace safety and proper handling of tools, machinery, and firearms in all gunsmithing activities.
• Demonstrate proficiency in specialized gunsmithing techniques, including the operation of lathes and other precision machinery, and perform accurate modifications, repairs, and restorations on a wide range of firearms.
• Identify and apply business principles by understanding basic retail and repair scenarios within a firearms business operation.
• Apply advanced wood and metalworking techniques to fabricate and customize firearm components, with attention to detail, quality, and aesthetic design.
• Explore concepts in communication, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, critical thinking, natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities.

Completion Requirements

To earn an Associate of Science in Firearms Technology degree, a student must do the following:

• Complete all coursework required in the degree program
• Complete at least 44 credit hours of discipline-specific coursework
• Complete at least one credit hour of student success coursework
• Complete at least 15 credit hours of general education coursework
• Complete the program with a minimum grade point of 2.0 or above
• Meet all financial obligations to the institute

Completion of the Associate of Science in Firearms Technology degree does not require additional specialized training, practicum, or externships.

SDI offers different scholarships that help military-connected and first-responder students pay for education. Visit our scholarships page to learn more about eligibility requirements and see other outside scholarships available.

Our curriculum goes beyond the textbook. We believe that online learning should include opportunities to ingest, explain, and demonstrate what you’ll learn as a student. Within your online classroom, you’ll access electronic coursebooks and supplemental multimedia resources, interact with students and instructors, submit assignments and exams, and find extra-curricular ways to make the most of your time as an SDI student. Plus, SDI programs include a number of entry-level tools to help set you up for success after graduation. Each course has its own required, suggested, and provided tools, so feel free to check out our Tools and Materials List to get a feel for what you’ll need and have during your coursework.

The Associate of Science in Firearms Technology Degree program is built to help you develop real-world skills and pursue opportunities in the firearms industry.
Learn more about SDI and how to get started.

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.