Automotive Technology Associate Degree
Automotive Service Management Major
Ford ASSET Program
Maintenance & Light Repair Certificate
Vocational Education Transfer Option with Ohio State University College of Education
Youth and Adult Automotive Training Center (YAATC)
 

Graduates of the Associate Degree program in Automotive Technology are qualified for entry-level positions as automotive service technicians, service writers, and entry-level managers. Many persons already employed in the field use the program to progress to advanced technical or management positions, and to prepare for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification examinations.

Automotive Technology Associate Degree

The Automotive Technology program prepares students for successful careers as service technicians in the rapidly growing automotive repair industry. By providing students with exposure and hands-on experience on a variety of domestic and import vehicles, this broad-based curriculum prepares graduates for a wide range of job opportunities in a new car dealerships, independent repair shops, or fleet repair facilities.

The Automotive Technology program at Columbus State offers courses designed for a variety of individuals ranging from the beginner to those with advanced skills and years of experience. Students may earn an associate degree, obtain ASE certification, or take individual courses to meet their educational goals. The associate degree program in Automotive Technology provides instruction in all aspects of the automobile, including the latest electronic systems. Students master the skills needed to diagnose and repair automobiles while working in the College’s well-equipped auto lab. The experienced faculty work closely with students to prepare them for a career and to become certified A.S.E. (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) Master Automotive Technicians.

Columbus State’s automotive program was the nation’s first college automotive program master certified by A.S.E. To receive this certification, the program is evaluated against industry standards of quality every five years by a team of external evaluators. The certification process ensures that the curriculum includes all of the appropriate competencies needed to properly prepare entry-level technicians and is delivered by A.S.E. certified faculty, on current technology equipment and vehicles. All of the automotive faculty are A.S.E. Master Certified technicians with extensive industry repair experience. The program was recently reevaluated and granted accreditation until 2009.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Automotive Technology, the graduate will be able to:

• Solve automotive problems in a systematic, logical, and efficient manner.
• Diagnose and repair driveability problems on early and current car models, including those with fuel injection and computerized engine controls.
• Diagnose and repair simple and complex electrical problems.
• Diagnose and repair engine mechanical problems.
• Diagnose and repair automatic transmissions and transaxles, including total rebuilding of units.
• Diagnose and repair manual transmissions and transaxles, as well as other driveline components such as driveshafts, drive axles, and differentials.
• Precisely measure engine and other automotive parts, using the appropriate measuring instruments.
• Diagnose brake system problems and perform a complete brake service (including necessary machining).
• Diagnose and repair steering and suspension problems and properly align the suspension of all types of automobiles and light trucks, using either two-or four-wheel alignment machines.
• Diagnose and repair automotive air-conditioning systems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and operation of new technologies as they become incorporated into automobile designs.
• Make repair estimates and complete the necessary paperwork for customer service and warranty repairs.
• Apply basic business practices, including cultivation of good customer and employee relations.

TechLINK: Cooperative Work Experience

The Automotive Technology Department firmly believes that the best way to learn to become a highly skilled automotive technician is through a combination of on-campus learning and real-life work. Columbus State works closely with students to help those interested in finding paid cooperative work experience placements in local shops. Students who are actively working in cooperative work placements in area dealerships and independent repair shops follow the same curriculum as the general Automotive Technology Program. However, since students are working in dealerships as well as taking coursework on campus, the scheduling of courses is arranged to coordinate with the students’ work schedule. Contact Bill Warner (614) 287-2675, the department cooperative work experience advisor, for further information on cooperative placement opportunities.

In addition to meeting all of the objectives of the general Automotive Technology program, participation in cooperative education is designed to:

• Fill the local shortage of qualified, entry-level technicians needed by area automotive repair shops.
• Provide participating students with paid industry work experience to enhance the learning experience and to enable them to successfully transition from the classroom to the workplace.
• Provide a course of study that will enable successful graduates to have the knowledge and skills necessary to develop an upward career path in automotive repair.

Automotive Service Management Major:

Service Management major prepares students for entry into management positions available in automotive repair facilities. Potential job titles for graduates include service director, service manager, service advisor, dispatcher, customer relations specialist, or independent shop owner. The Service Management major shares general education courses and the first year of basic technical courses within the Automotive Technology program. Then, during the second year of the program, it supplements technical knowledge with the fundamental management principles and practices students need to know to be successful in a management career.

Upon completion of the program, students earn an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Automotive Technology. The program is designed to:

• Provide students with fundamental knowledge of the theory and operation of all automotive systems.
• Provide students with a broad-based background in general business management principles and practices.
• Provide students with knowledge of a wide range of current automotive-specific management practices and principles.
• Prepare students for entry-level management-track positions in the automotive repair industry.

Ford ASSET

ASSET is a partnership between Ford Motor Company, Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealers, and Columbus State Community College. The program provides students the opportunity to become highly trained technicians employed by Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships. The program:

• trains students to diagnose, service, and maintain Ford automotive products using Ford recommended procedures, special tools, and service publications.
• Ensures that ASSET-trained technicians can easily become familiar with new systems and components as they are introduced.
• Provides paid work experience during the program to reinforce what is being taught in the classroom.
• Allows ASSET-trained students to earn an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology, ASE Certifications, and most importantly, Ford Certifications.

ASSET is an Associate Degree program divided into two parts. The Maintenance and Light Repair program is completed first. Then, Ford specific instruction begins with 11 weeks of classroom/lab instruction alternated with 11 weeks of paid co-op work experience at a sponsoring Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership for the remaining 18 months. For more information, contact our ASSET Coordinator at (614) 287-5408.
 

Maintenance & Light Repair Certificate Program

Students whose needs demand a short-term career track program can choose the Light Maintenance and Repair Certificate program. This six-month program prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the automotive repair industry quickly.

Upon completion of this program, graduates are employable at local auto repair companies performing automotive maintenance services. Since this program is part of the Automotive Technology program, students can re-enter the college degree program at a later date to expand their knowledge and skills and work toward A.S.E. Master Technician certification.

YAATC

The Youth and Adult Automotive Training Center (YAATC) is designed for disadvantaged, at-risk people who have a desire to gain technical knowledge in automotive repair as well as increase self-sufficiency. This program will allow students to build a new perspective on life and their careers. YAATC will prepare each dedicated student to graduate with the technical knowledge to perform automotive maintenance and light repairs and have the opportunity to begin an extremely rewarding career in the automotive industry. YAATC also helps create a more diverse workforce in the automotive industry and helps fill the void of qualified automotive technicians. It will provide students with basic skills training, case management services, community agency referrals, job readiness instruction, intensive automotive technical instruction, co-op experiences, and permanent job placements in the automotive repair industry. For more information, contact (614) 287-5504.


Vocational Education Transfer Option with Ohio State University College of Education

The Automotive Technology program at Columbus State has completed an articulation agreement with the Technical Education and Training Program of the Ohio State University College of Education. This agreement allows Automotive students to complete their associate degree at Columbus State, transfer their credits to Ohio State, and complete a baccalaureate degree in Technical Education Training. Students completing the Ohio State program are eligible for certification by the Ohio Department of Education to teach in related high school vocational programs throughout the State of Ohio. Interested students should contact their Columbus State department chairperson for curriculum requirements and additional details. Please note that course requirements for this transfer option may differ from the standard plan of study published in the catalog.