The Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology provides students with the technical education and training necessary to be successful in today’s automotive industry. Students will study the various vehicle systems, including electrical and electronics and computerized engine controls, along with the numerous mechanical components that make up today’s complex vehicles. The academic requirements of the program provide students with fundamental skills to enhance their written and oral communication skills. These courses also provide a foundation for continued studies should students decide to further their education or training.
These programs are modeled after a variety of very successful corporate training programs. Each program is four semesters long. The programs incorporate a prearranged, supervised, evaluated practicum in each of the first three semesters, with the possibility of an additional practicum during the last semester. Many students also choose to complete a summer practicum while enrolled in the program. In addition, there is a registered apprenticeship opportunity available for select students.
Students experience training on a wide variety of modern domestic and imported vehicles, light trucks, and vans. Laboratory and shop objectives are met on training vehicles, components and live shop projects. Automotive technology graduates have been placed in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, mass merchandisers, aviation ground support and fleet repair facilities. Employers require a current vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record. The student should have physical capabilities required of the trade which typically include standing long hours; lifting heavy objects; contacting hazardous materials; operating machinery; exposure to noise, heat, cold, vapors, and other workplace hazards; manipulating tools; and working with small parts in confined and awkward positions.
Technicians must be able to distinguish colors in minimal light, transcribe numbers up to 17 digits, and work up to 10 hours a day, six days per week. Equal opportunities are available for men and women.
The program is offered with two options: General Automotive and General Motors ASEP. Each option has different admissions requirements based on the policies of the program sponsors.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Automotive Technology prepares students to be proficient in diagnosing and repairing various vehicle systems, including electrical and electronics, and computerized engine controls, along with the numerous mechanical components that make up today’s complex vehicles.
Automotive technology graduates have been placed in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, mass merchandisers, aviation ground support and fleet repair facilities.
The AAS in Automotive Technology is accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Educational Foundation and recognized as a Center of Excellence by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3).
The AAS in Automotive Technology constitutes the first two years of the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Applied Technologies Leadership.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
Special Considerations
- Most employers require technicians to be drug-free, physically fit, have a current vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record.
- Most employers require technicians to have a minimum set of tools. A tool list is available on the Automotive Technology website.
- Admission to GMASEP is only offered during odd-numbered years.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ADT A102 | Introduction to Automotive Technology | 3 |
| ADT A121 | Basic Electrical Systems | 3 |
| ADT A122 | Engine Theory and Diagnosis | 3 |
| ADT A131 | Auto Electrical II | 3 |
| ADT A140 | Automotive Engine Repair | 3 |
| ADT A150 | Brake Systems | 4 |
| ADT A160 | Manual Drive Trains and Axles | 4 |
| ADT A162 | Suspension and Alignment | 4 |
| ADT A195 | Automotive Practicum I | 6 |
| ADT A202 | Auto Fuel and Emissions Systems | 4 |
| ADT A222 | Automotive Engine Performance | 3 |
| ADT A225 | Mobile Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems | 3 |
| ADT A227 | Auto Electrical III | 3 |
| ADT A260 | Electronic and Automatic Transmissions 1 | 3 |
| or ADT A295 | Automotive Practicum II | |
| Total | 49 | |
A minimum of 61 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology will be able to:
- Demonstrate academic proficiency necessary to pass national examinations within the domain.
- Demonstrate proficiency in performing occupationally related tasks in a professional setting.
- Integrate knowledge from diverse areas to develop effective diagnostic and repair strategies involving complex systems.
- Request, collect, summarize, evaluate, and apply oral and written information gathered from technical (e.g. schematics, technical bulletins, and service information) and nontechnical (e.g. customer oral and written reports) sources regarding symptoms and potential diagnostic and repair strategies for complex systems used in automobiles.
- Apply knowledge gained from previous education and experience to problem solving to aid in diagnosis and repair for the immediate situation.
- Demonstrate effective employability skills, including oral and written communication skills, as required by accreditation standards for the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.
- Demonstrate technical knowledge and critical thinking necessary for success in the automotive maintenance and repair industry.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ADT A102 | Introduction to Automotive Technology | 3 |
| ADT A121 | Basic Electrical Systems | 3 |
| ADT A131 | Auto Electrical II | 3 |
| ADT A150 | Brake Systems | 4 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ADT A122 | Engine Theory and Diagnosis | 3 |
| ADT A160 | Manual Drive Trains and Axles | 4 |
| ADT A162 | Suspension and Alignment | 4 |
| ADT A195 | Automotive Practicum I | 3 |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200-level, recommend WRTG A212) | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ADT A140 | Automotive Engine Repair | 3 |
| ADT A195 | Automotive Practicum I | 3 |
| ADT A225 | Mobile Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems | 3 |
| ADT A227 | Auto Electrical III | 3 |
| MATH A104 | Technical Mathematics | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ADT A202 | Auto Fuel and Emissions Systems | 4 |
| ADT A222 | Automotive Engine Performance | 3 |
| ADT A260 | Electronic and Automatic Transmissions | 3 |
| ADT A295 | Automotive Practicum II | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills (recommend COMM A111 or COMM A235) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |