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Automotive Technology

Train for technician jobs in the automotive industry through the award-winning Automotive Technology program at ACC.

ACC Automotive Technology student working on car engine during class.

Prepare to be an ASE-certified Automotive Technician through the 2-year AAS in Automotive Service Technology program at ACC. Accredited by the ASE Education Foundation, the program is taught by ASE-certified instructors. Designed as a work co-op program, you’ll work in the automotive industry while taking academic and automotive courses at ACC. Certificates are also offered through the Automotive Technology program

ACC Admissions
Admissions
admissions [at] arapahoe.edu
Doc Viola
Director
Automotive Technology
doc.viola [at] arapahoe.edu

What You'll Learn

While in our Automotive Service Technology program you'll gain baseline expertise in:

  • Engine Repair
  • Automatic Transmission and Transaxle
  • Manual Drive Train and Axles
  • Suspension and Steering Systems
  • Brakes
  • Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • Heating, Cooling, and Air Conditioning
  • Engine Performance

You will also learn how to be reliable, responsible, and dependable in the workplace.

CIP 470604 (ATC)

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Automotive Service Technology and related certificate programs are NATEF certified and taught by ASE certified Instructors.

The two-year Automotive A.A.S. and certificate programs train students for employment in the automotive service industry as professional technicians and prepare students for the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification examinations. This program includes ASE certification or manufacturer-specific training. Each class in the program requires 5-45 additional hours of hands-on and/or web based training (under supervision of the instructor) in addition to scheduled class hours.

The automotive training program at ACC is organized into the following "Tracks:"

  • ATEC - The general apprenticeship program for professional automotive technicians
  • ASEP - General Motors-specific program called GM Automotive Service Educational Program
  • CAP - Chrysler-specific program called the Chrysler College Apprenticeship Program
  • NTTA - Nissan-specific program called the Nissan Technical Training Academy
  • PACT - Honda-specific program called Professional Automotive Career Training
  • Subaru University - Subaru specific program infuses Web-Based Training into the curriculum

The ATEC program allows students to obtain an apprenticeship position with any dealership or independent automotive repair facility. Incoming freshmen can begin in the summer, fall or spring semester. This track also requires students to maintain an apprenticeship position in automotive repair for the duration of the program, and is a degree-seeking program only.

The corporate sponsored apprenticeship programs (ASEP, CAP, Nissan, and Subaru University) require the student to obtain and maintain an apprenticeship position at a manufacturer dealership for the duration of the program. Program faculty will assist the student in finding suitable placement. Additionally, students will take web-based manufacturer technician training courses; their sponsoring dealership will receive training credit for that student upon his or her graduation with the A.A.S. degree. The corporate programs are degree-seeking programs only. All tracks are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, dependent upon satisfactory MVR, criminal background checks, and drug screening.

Students wishing to pursue the two-year degree or the certificate programs must be signed into courses by the program director at the beginning of each semester to ensure that they are on track academically to graduate in the prescribed two-year period. Classes for the corporate tracks will be filled with dealer sponsored students first. General program students may be allowed to fill any remaining seats. All students, regardless of their chosen track, should be aware of automotive repair industry expectations, specifically that technicians must drive customer's vehicles as part of the repair process; thus, the technician and the student must have a clean motor vehicle record and valid driver's license. The hiring process at reputable repair shops and dealerships will include a drug screen and a thorough background investigation.

Admission Requirements

Program Requirements

Major Courses (63 credit hours)
Total: 79 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 470604 (ASM)

This program is designed as an apprenticeship program for those interested in a job as an automotive service writer/consultant. The academic courses may be taken prior to or in conjunction with the automotive courses. Dealerships are particularly interested in female service writers as women are under-represented in the automotive service field. All entrance eligibility requirements for the certificate program are the same as the degree programs.

All tracks are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, dependent upon satisfactory MVR, criminal background checks, and drug screening.

Students wishing to pursue the two-year degree or the certificate programs must be signed into courses by the program director at the beginning of each semester to ensure that they are on track academically to graduate in the prescribed two-year period. Classes for the corporate tracks will be filled with dealer sponsored students first. General program students may be allowed to fill any remaining seats. All students, regardless of their chosen track, should be aware of automotive repair industry expectations, specifically that technicians must drive customer's vehicles as part of the repair process; thus, the technician and the student must have a clean motor vehicle record and valid driver's license. The hiring process at reputable repair shops and dealerships will include a drug screen and a thorough background investigation.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for acceptance into the program, students must:

  • pass an industry standard MVR, criminal, background, and urinalysis
  • Please access the CertifiedBackground.com Web Site at http://cccs.castlebranch.com/

Program Requirements

Total: 46 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 470604 (4MLR)

This program is designed for those students who wish to be certified in basic entry skills as a service technician. This certificate will aid students in obtaining an entry level position at either a dealership or an independent repair facility. All entrance eligibility requirements for the certificate program are the same as the degree programs.

All tracks are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, dependent upon satisfactory MVR, criminal background checks, and drug screening.

Students wishing to pursue the two-year degree or the certificate programs must be signed into courses by the program director at the beginning of each semester to ensure that they are on track academically to graduate in the prescribed two-year period. Classes for the corporate tracks will be filled with dealer sponsored students first. General program students may be allowed to fill any remaining seats. All students, regardless of their chosen track, should be aware of automotive repair industry expectations, specifically that technicians must drive customer's vehicles as part of the repair process; thus, the technician and the student must have a clean motor vehicle record and valid driver's license. The hiring process at reputable repair shops and dealerships will include a drug screen and a thorough background investigation.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for acceptance into the program, students must:

  • pass an industry standard MVR, criminal, background, and urinalysis
  • Please access the CertifiedBackground.com Web Site at http://cccs.castlebranch.com/

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

CIP 470604 (AUEL)

This program is designed as an apprenticeship program for those interested in a job as an advanced driveability specialist or would like to further their knowledge and training in advanced engine performance. Dealers are particularly interested in this specialty due to advances in technology on current model vehicles with increasing electrical/electronic devices. All entrance eligibility requirements for the certificate program are the same as the degree programs.

All tracks are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, dependent upon satisfactory MVR, criminal background checks, and drug screening.

Students wishing to pursue the two-year degree or the certificate programs must be signed into courses by the program director at the beginning of each semester to ensure that they are on track academically to graduate in the prescribed two-year period. Classes for the corporate tracks will be filled with dealer sponsored students first. General program students may be allowed to fill any remaining seats. All students, regardless of their chosen track, should be aware of automotive repair industry expectations, specifically that technicians must drive customer's vehicles as part of the repair process; thus, the technician and the student must have a clean motor vehicle record and valid driver's license. The hiring process at reputable repair shops and dealerships will include a drug screen and a thorough background investigation.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for acceptance into the program, students must:

  • pass an industry standard MVR, criminal, background, and urinalysis
  • Please access the CertifiedBackground.com Web Site at http://cccs.castlebranch.com/

Program Requirements

Total: 51 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.

The Automotive Technology Program trains students for employment in the automotive industry as technicians. Our students will be prepared for the ASE certification examinations. This ACC program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation. The foundation can be reached at 101 Blue Seal Drive, Suite 101, Leesburg, VA, 20175, 703.669.6650.

The 2-year Automotive Technology program culminates with an Associate of Applied Science degree. This degree requires 5 academic classes. Admission into the Automotive Technology program is based on these requirements:

  1. Personal interview with the Program Director.
  2. Employment with GM, Chrysler, Honda, Acura, Nissan, or another manufacturer or independent general automotive repair facility (student must obtain employment).
  3. Department administered automotive assessment test and pass an industry-standard MVR, background, and urinalysis check. View disqualifying events information.

*Students are required to be employed in the automotive field while they are attending classes. This program includes ASE certification or manufacturer-specific training. Each class requires 5-45 additional hours of hands-on and/or web-based training (under the supervision of the instructor) in addition to scheduled class hours for certification purposes.

This is designed as a work co-op program for those interested in a job as an automotive service writer/consultant or future service manager. The academic courses may be taken before or in conjunction with the automotive courses. Students must maintain employment in an automotive service department in conjunction with courses taken at ACC. Dealerships are particularly interested in female service writers as they are under-represented in the automotive service field. The certificate and degree programs have the same entrance eligibility requirements.

ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.

Job Opportunities in Automotive Technology

Professional Automotive Program Tracks

The AAS in Automotive Service Technology is divided into the following tracks. Through this co-op work program, you’ll be employed by one of the following while completing courses at ACC:

ATEC

The ATEC program allows you to obtain an apprenticeship position with any dealership or independent automotive repair facility. Incoming freshmen can begin in the summer, fall or spring semester. This track also requires you to maintain an apprenticeship position in automotive repair for the duration of the program. Degree-seeking program only.

ASEP, Honda PACT, MCAP, NTTA, and Subaru University

These corporate-sponsored apprenticeship programs require you to obtain and maintain an apprenticeship position at a manufacturer dealership for the duration of the program. Program faculty will help you find a suitable placement. Additionally, you must take web-based manufacturer technician training courses. The sponsoring dealership will receive training credit for you when you graduate with the AAS degree. Degree-seeking program only.

 

General Motors ASEP logoHonda Pact logoMopar CAP-Chrysler logoNTTA logoSubaru University logo

Important Information

Classes for the corporate tracks will be filled with dealer-sponsored students first. General program students may be allowed to fill any remaining seats. Regardless of the track you choose, you must have a clean motor vehicle record and a valid driver’s license as you will be required to drive customer vehicles as part of the repair process. The hiring process at reputable repair shops and dealerships will require you to undergo a thorough background check and drug screening.

ACC Auto Tech in the News