Automotive Technology - Associate Degree
Highly skilled automotive technicians and specialists are needed to keep pace with the increasingly complex vehicles being manufactured for today's consumer. In the Automotive Technology program, you'll learn to diagnose and service automobiles under conditions similar to an actual repair facility. Plus, you'll develop repair facility management skills to increase your employment potential. Career opportunities for you include automotive service technician, shop foreman, parts manager, warranty claims person, repair facility owner/operator, plus all of the career opportunities offered by the Automotive Technician program. This two-year program is ASE Certified to National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation Standards.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,807, Books: $2,844, Supplies: $3,000
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=106023
Requirements for Program Entry
- Please note that all new students apply to the technical diploma program. While attending you may later have the associate degree added.
Program Outcomes
- Automotive Technology graduates will demonstrate technical aptitude and proficiency by diagnosis and repair of the following ASE service areas:
- A1 Engine Repair
- A2 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
- A3 Manual Drive Train & Axle
- A4 Suspension & Steering
- A5 Brakes
- A6 Electric/Electronic Systems
- A7 Heating & A/C
- A8 Engine Performance
- In addition, graduates will also be able to:
- Communicate positively and effectively with the customer
- Create and complete customer repair orders accurately
- Organize a daily work schedule for him/herself and for team members
- Tabulate a daily time sheet of technicians repair work
Accreditation
All NWTC Automotive programs are ASE Certified to NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) Standards. | All instructional staff in the NWTC Automotive Programs are, at a minimum, Master, ASE Certified Technicians. | NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Automotive Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: The credit for 10-890-101, College 101, is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a C or better.
Course Descriptions
Safety and the use of basic hand/power tools in accordance with industry standards. Introduced to the automotive service industry and learn to use both comprehensive and manufacturer's service information to perform basic under-hood and under-car services. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the Automotive Technology and/or Automotive Service Technician program)
Course Typically Offered: FallStudents gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringFocuses on welding and cutting safety; develops skills in welding and cutting of metals used in the transportation trades. Methods of welding include gas metal arc welding (MIG) in the horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Methods of cutting include oxy-fuel and plasma arc cutting of metals. Students will learn to set up and maintain welding equipment and weld and cut a variety of types and thicknesses of materials commonly used in the transportation trades.
Course Typically Offered: FallThis automotive course focuses on developing the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair vehicle braking systems including an introduction to ABS. Focus will be on replacing and machining disc and drum brakes, learning brake hydraulic principals, different types of brake fluids, parking brake operation, and flaring replacement brake lines. (Pre-requisite: 10-602-107 Auto Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to apply the concepts of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, measurement, proportions, and percent to their career. No prerequisites needed.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringFocus on the theory of electricity. This will include studying Ohms, Kirchoff's, and Newton's Laws and how they apply to the circuits on various electrical systems on a vehicle. Students will apply these theories to troubleshoot simple circuits. (Enrolled in Diesel program, Prerequisite: 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals; Enrolled in the Automotive or Collision program, there is no prerequisite for this course)
Course Typically Offered: FallStudents will diagnose more complex circuits utilizing an electrical meter and test light. Students will build circuits and test existing circuits on a vehicle, including parallel circuits and relays. Testing will include volts, amps, Ohms- measured and calculated, and voltage drop. (Pre-requisites: 10-412-153 Intro to Electrical Systems, 10-602-107 Automotive Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course focuses on developing the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair steering and suspension components such as ball joints, control arms, shocks, struts, inner and outer tie rod ends. Additionally, steering and suspension safety, tire types and ratings, wheel balance, and wheel alignment procedures. (Pre-requisite: 10-602-107 Auto Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course will provide the opportunity for students to understand basic engine design and the 4 stroke cycle. The course will also provide an opportunity to develop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair vehicle cooking systems and lubrication systems (Pre-requisite: 10-602-107 Auto Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: SpringStudents will diagnose preliminary vehicle electrical systems that include the battery, starter, and alternator. Testing will include volts, Ohms-measured and calculated, amps, voltage drop, and parasitic draw. (Pre-requisite: 10-602-102 Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course will provide the opportunity to develop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair the electrical side of the antilock brake system, vehicle stability enhancement system, and electronic steering and suspension system (Pre-requisites: 10-602-102 Auto Electrical and Electronic Systems 1, 10-602-124 Steering and Suspension Systems, 10-602-104 Brake Systems)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair powertrain control and ignition systems. Emphasis on diagnostic procedures and the problem-solving techniques associated with automotive engine performance and drivability. (Prerequisite: 10-602-102 Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 1; 10-602-103 Engine Repair 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair fuel systems. Emphasis on diagnostic procedures, problem-solving techniques associated with automotive engine performance and drivability. (Pre-requisite: 10-602-106 Engine Performance 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair emissions control systems. Emphasis on diagnostic procedures, problem-solving techniques associated with automotive engine performance and drivability. (Pre-requisite: 10-602-108 Engine Performance 2)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course provides an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to successfully complete the Automotive Technician certification test in the areas of Brakes, Steering and Suspension, and Engine Performance. (Prerequisites: 10-602-195 Advanced Chassis, 10-602-106 Engine Performance 1, 10-602-108 Engine Performance 2, 10-602-113, Engine Performance 3 )
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair climate control systems including heating, cooling, and air distribution. (Prerequisites: 10-602-105, Auto Electrical & Electronics Systems 2,10-602-128, Auto Electrical & Electronics Systems 3 )
Course Typically Offered: FallDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair electrical and electronic systems including driver information, horn, wiper/washer, power accessories, cruise control, air bag, antitheft and radio systems. (Prerequisite: 10-602-105, Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 2)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringKnowledge, skills, process, and understanding of internal door components/moveable glass, body opening adjustments, exterior body components, seat removal/repair, sunroof repair, wind noise diagnosis, water leak diagnosis, and interior trim. (Prerequisite: 10-602-105, Auto Electric & Electronic 2)
Course Typically Offered: FallDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair internal combustion engines. Emphasis is placed on out-of-vehicle engine repair including overhaul procedures. ( Prerequisites: 10-602-103 Engine Repair 1, 10-602-196, Climate Control)
Course Typically Offered: FallDiagnose, service and repair intermittent drivability concerns, monitoring live PID data with scanner, graphing data with lab scope, fuel injection monitoring with scanner, graphing fuel injectors with lab scope, performing diagnostic snapshot/recordings of live vehicle data, and playing back the recorded data to isolate the concern. (Prerequisites: 10-602-113, Engine Performance 3; 10-602-128 Auto Electrical & Electronics Systems 3)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair automatic transmission/transaxles. Emphasis is placed on in-vehicle repairs. (Prerequisite: 10-602-128 Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of automotive diesel fuels diesel fuel system components, diesel fuel system testing and diesel engine operation. (Pre-requisite: 10-602-113 Engine Performance 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair automatic transmission./transaxles. Emphasis is placed on out-of-vehicle repair including overhaul procedures. (Corequisite: 10-602-120 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringAll college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. This course may be used as the first of a two part sequence that ends with Quantitative Reasoning as the capstone general education math requirement. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arith score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16; OR prep courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service and repair clutches and manual transmissions/transaxle. (Prerequisite: 10-602-128 Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course provides an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to successfully complete the Automotive Technician certification test. (Prerequisite: 10-602-128, Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 3, 10-602-123, Engine Repair 2)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of related electronic module sensor/switch testing, input/output data interpretation and testing components with scanner/lab scope testers. (Corequisite: 10-602-128 Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop the skills needed to diagnose, service, and repair driveshaft/axles, differentials, and four wheel drive/all-wheel drive systems. (Corequisites: 10-602-130, Clutch & Manual Transmission)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Spring