Automotive Service Technology Degree Requirements

2009-2010 Catalog
Automotive Service Technology

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 are designed to train and prepare students for employment in the automotive service industry as professional technicians and to 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 four outstanding “Tracks:”

  • ASEP – General Motors-specific program called GM Automotive Service Educational Program
  • CAP – Chrysler-specific program called the Chrysler College Apprenticeship Program
  • Nissan – Nissan-specific Nissan Denver Technician Apprenticeship Program
  • ATEC – The general apprenticeship program for professional automotive technicians

The corporate sponsored dealership apprenticeship programs (CAP, ASEP, and Nissan) are manufacturer-specific and are degree programs only. In-coming freshmen will begin only in the fall semester. These tracks require the student to obtain and maintain an apprenticeship position at a GM, Nissan, or Chrysler dealership for the duration of the program. Program faculty will assist the student in finding suitable placement.

Additionally, these 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 ATEC program allows students to obtain an apprenticeship position with any manufacturer dealership (other than GM Chrysler, or Nissan) or any independent automotive repair facility. In-coming freshmen can begin in the fall or spring semester. This track also requires students to maintain an apprenticeship position in the automotive repair field for the duration of the program, and is a degree program only.

All tracks have limited seats available and 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 must be signed into the respective courses by the Program Director at the beginning of each semester to ensure that the student is currently 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 available remaining seats. All students, regardless of their chosen track, should be aware of automotive repair industry expectations, specifically: Technicians must drive their customers’ 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. As a result of these industry policies, to be eligible for acceptance into the program, students must pass an industry standard MVR, criminal, background, and urinalysis, and take a department administered mechanical assessment test. Please access the American Data Bank Web site at http:accautotechscreening.com.

The National Automotive Technician Education Foundation, Inc. accredits the Automotive Service Technology Programs and can be reached at 101 Blue Seal Drive, Leesburg VA, 20175, Telephone (703) 669.6650.

Arapahoe Community College provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. To request accommodations, contact Disability Services located in The Center for Academic Resources, M2710, 303.797.5937 v/tty.

General Education Courses(17 credit hours)
ENG 131 Technical Writing 3 credits
COM 125Interpersonal Communication 3 credits
ELT 146Digital Devices in Computers 3 credits
MAT 108 Technical Mathematics 4 credits
PHY 105Conceptual Physics 4 credits
Major Courses(66 credit hours)
ASE 102 Introduction to the Automotive Shop 4 credits
ASE 110Brakes I 3 credits
ASE 210 Brakes II 3 credits
ASE 120 Basic Automotive Electricity 2 credits
ASE 123 Battery, Starting and Charging Systems 2 credits
ASE 220 Specialized Electronics Training 2 credits
ASE 221 Body Electrical 4 credits
ASE 130 General Engine Diagnosis 2 credits
ASE 132 Ignition System Diagnosis and Repair 2 credits
ASE 134 Automotive Emissions 2 credits
ASE 231Automotive Computers 2 credits
ASE 233 Fuel Injection and Exhaust Systems 4 credits
ASE 235 Drivability Diagnosis 1 credit
ASE 140 Suspension and Steering 3 credits
ASE 240 Suspension and Steering II3 credits
ASE 250 Automatic Trans/Transaxle Service 1 credit
ASE 251 Automatic Trans/Transaxle Diagnosis5 credits
ASE 160 Automotive Engine Removal and Install1 credit
ASE 161 Engine Diagnosis & Assembly 5 credits
ASE 265 Heating and Air Conditioning 5 credits
ASE 150 U-Joint and Axle Shaft Service2 credits
ASE 151 Manual Transmission/Trans and Clutches 2 credits
ASE 152 Differentials and 4WD/AWD Service 2 credits
ASE 287 Co-op 4 credits
Total 83 Credit Hours