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Drew Ayres competes in the SkillsUSA Regional Competition at the Automotive & Technology Center on the Windsor Campus.

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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Windsor Campus

Credits

63

Tuition*

Est. Lab/ Course Fees
$1,825
In-District
$8,344
In-State
$13,720
WUE
$20,215
Out-of-State
$38,875

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

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Automotive Collision Repair Technology

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Automotive Collision Repair Technology

Automotive Collision Repair TechnologyRequirements

In five semesters, explore the classes that will teach you to repair the various parts of an automobile after sustaining damage.

Gain knowledge and skills in:

  • Automotive collision repair shop safety
  • Structural and non-structural auto repair
  • Metal finishing
  • Movable automotive glass and hardware
  • Metal welding and cutting
  • Surface preparation and refinishing
  • Panel repair and replacement
  • Estimating
  • Auto body collision repair shop management
  • Customer relations and sales
  • Structural damage and diagnosis

After your first year, you’ll have enough skills to find a part-time job. Your instructors will help you partner with a local business to earn money while earning your degree. 

Lectures are paired with lab classes to give you hands-on collision repair shop experience in that specific topic. Internship classes are designed to recreate working in an industry setting.

You’ll also earn third-party industry-standard certifications from the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, including:

  • Non-structural analysis and damage analysis
  • Structural analysis and damage repair
  • Painting and refinishing

General education requirements round out your learning experience and reinforce the practical soft skills employers want. Study math, written and oral communications, business, science and humanities. 

See Collision Repair Skills in Action at Aims

General Education Courses Required for A.A.S. Degree

  • Choose one of the following:

  • Emphasizes effective business writing and cover letters, memoranda, reports, application letters, and resumes. This course includes the fundamentals of business communication and an introduction to international communication. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following: 

  • Introduces the application of fundamental business principles to local, national, and international forums. This course examines the relationship of economic systems, governance, regulations, and law upon business operations. It surveys the concepts of career development, business ownership, finance and accounting, economics, marketing, management, operations, human resources, regulations, and business ethics. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • This course introduces basic computer terminology, file management, and PC system components. Provides an overview of office application software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation graphics. Includes the use of a web browser to access the Internet. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Required Course: 

  • Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3 *

  • *Or any higher level Math course. 

  • Choose one course from the following prefixes for a minimum of three (3) credits: AST, BIO, CHE, ENV, GEY, MET, PHY, SCI
  • Choose one course from the following prefixes for a minimum of three (3) credits: ANT, ART, ECO, GEO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, POS, PSY, SOC, THE
Total General Education Requirements 15-16

Major Requirements:

Semester 1

  • Provides an orientation to the automotive collision repair industry which includes an overview of job possibilities and various types of automobile construction. This course covers names, uses, and maintenance procedures for a variety of tools and equipment with a focus on general collision repair and refinishing, shop safety procedures with an emphasis on personal and environmental safety issues, and proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials. This course has admission requirements.  Please see the program web page for more information: https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/automotive-collision-repair-technology . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Covers the basic characteristics of preparation for automotive repair. Students familiarize themselves with damage analysis, extent of damage, and the sequence of repair. Focuses on removal of vehicle components and protection of panels along with storage and labeling of parts. Safety procedures and equipment use are included. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Develops skills in metal finishing, metal shrinking, and the use of cosmetic fillers. Emphasis is placed on the use of proper tools required to perform these tasks, including use, selection of tools, and safety procedures for tools and equipment selected. Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) tools will also be introduced in this course along with beginning level repair techniques. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Practices customer relation skills needed to successfully sell service and repairs. During this course students will learn to explain repair processes and how to deal with customers who have a loss and appropriately direct them through the proper procedures of repair. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2

Semester 2

  • Covers sheet metal oxygen-acetylene welding and MIG welding techniques including safety, materials, equipment and setups. Personal and vehicle protective measures prior to welding procedures is presented. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Performs surface preparation for refinishing including cleaning, sanding, feather edging, chemical treatment of bare materials, and priming. The application of primers includes rationale and use of colored primers and sealers. In addition, the course will cover spot-priming for repaired areas. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1041 with a grade of "C" or better.
    2
  • Covers the inspection, cleaning and determination of the condition of spray guns and related equipment. Students learn skills for adjusting spray guns by setting-up and testing spray gun operations. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1042 with a grade of "C" or better
    2
  • Provides the knowledge needed for application and use of automotive paint systems. Course includes locating color codes, mixing formulas, matching, and selections of materials. Proper paint gun use and adjustments is taught for the product being applied. In addition, the student practices correct masking and detailing techniques. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1042 and ACT 1043 with grades of "C" or better
    2
  • Designed to teach the state-of-the-art repair for both rigid and flexible plastic components and choosing adhesives using the latest manufacturer repair techniques. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better
    1
  • Emphasizes surface preparation for refinishing including cleaning, sanding, feather edging, chemical treatment of bare metals and priming. The application of primers, including why and where to use them is covered. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACC 1044 with a grade of "C" or better
    2

Semester 3

  • Covers straightening techniques including tension pulls/stress relief, metal finishing, metal shrinking, and use of fillers. Emphasizes the identification, handling, and replacement of parts such as adjustment and alignment of bolt-on parts, fixed parts, and accessories. Training covers the use of adhesives, sound deadeners and welding methods performed during repairs. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Focuses on methods of frame measurement using dimension charts and service manuals. Includes the use of self-centering gauges and mechanical and electronic measuring. Appropriate terms and definitions of vehicle structures and vehicle diagnosis is covered including identification and analysis of damage. Includes the techniques for basic hook ups and safety procedures used in making corrective pulls. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Continues the study and application of frame measurement and repair. The student applies methods found in dimension charts and service manuals for vehicle diagnosis and straightening. Training includes the replacement of a structural panel with the identification of damaged suspension components replaced according to manufacturer recommendations. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Offers the clinical practicum required for the program. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 9 credit hours.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 or ACT 1010 with a grade of "C" or better
    1 to 9 *
  • Covers mig welding procedures of seam weld, stitch welds and destructive testing. Resistance spot welding, which includes two-sided spot weld, plasma cutting, safety, materials, and equipment and operating procedures, with emphasis on shop safety are also presented. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1011 with a grade of "C" or better.
    2

  • *ACT 1070 must be taken for two (2) credits. 

Semester 4

  • Offers the clinical practicum required for the program. Differential tuition rates apply .Course is repeatable with a maximum of 9 credit hours.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 or ACT 1010 with a grade of "C" or better
    1 to 9 *
  • Designed to meet the needs of the student in selected specialized area in a work-based environment. Individualized instruction at the job site is coordinated based on student's interest and instructor approval. Differential tuition rates apply.  Course is repeatable with a maximum of 9 credit hours.    
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 or ACT 1010 with a grade of "C" or better
    1 to 9 **
  • Initiates written estimates on damaged vehicles. Students learn shop management including work orders, ordering supplies, operating costs, time cards, shop liabilities, employee's safety and insurance management issues. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Covers major automotive body repair in vehicles with major damage on conventional structures and unibody structures. Student learns the operation of equipment and techniques used to straighten and align damaged frames. Identification and analysis of frames, hot and cold stress relieving, servicing and sectioning of structural frames is also included. Liability issues and the importance of making these corrections according to the manufacurer's recommendations and industry standards are emphasized. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1031 and ACT 1032 with grades of "C" or better
    3
  • Covers the removal and replacement of automotive glass using manufacturer's specifications, proper tools, and recommended materials. The course emphasizes the application of skills for the removal and replacement of modular and fixed glass using manufacturer's specifications and procedures. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better
    2
  • Emphasizes advanced plastic and adhesives. The current state-of-the-art repair for both rigid and flexible plastic components using the latest manufacturer's repair techniques are presented. Sheet Molded Compound procedures and the use of proper adhesives is covered. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ACT 1051 with a grade of "C" or better
    1

  • *ACT 1071 must be taken for one (1) credit.

  • **ACT 1080 must be take for two (2) credits.

Total Credits for Major Requirements 48
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 63-64