Automotive Service Technician

Nationally top-ranked vocational program. Automotive student repairing the brakes of a car in the automotive lab on campus

Automotive Service Technician

Technical Diploma

28 Credits | 1 Year

Financial Aid-Eligible

Superior

Career Cluster: Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

This program will be modified for the 2024-2025 academic year pending WTCS approval. Please contact an Admissions Advisor if interested or have questions.

The Automotive Service Technician program will prepare you with the needed skills to service and repair today's high-tech vehicles. The automotive industry has many career options for automotive technicians including working at automotive dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet services and more.

Program Overview

The nine-month program is designed to provide you with skills necessary for entry-level automotive industry positions. You will learn automotive maintenance, repair and diagnosis. As an Automotive Service Technician, you may work on a variety of cars and light trucks or specialize in specific automobile brands or types, depending on your place of employment. A career in automotive service and repair offers a variety in day-to-day work, along with the sense of a job well done when returning a repaired vehicle to its owner. 

Program Outcomes

Automotive Service Technician graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate professionalism appropriate for the auto service industry
  • Perform maintenance and light repair of automotive brake systems
  • Perform maintenance and light repair of automotive electrical and electronic systems
  • Perform maintenance and light repair of automotive steering and suspension systems

Northwood Tech's automotive programs are nationally certified through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3).

Students in the automotive lab getting a lesson from the instructor

Graduate in just nine months.

Student in the automotive lab working with a digital multimeter

Learn by doing.

Student in the automotive lab working on a tire

Nationally certified program. 


Academics

The Automotive Service Technician program is offered at the Superior campus. 

This program is nationally certified through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation.

The automotive programs at Northwood Tech have adopted certification(s) established by the National Coalition of Certifications (NC3). NC3 was established to address the need for strong industry partnerships with educational institutions in order to develop, implement, and sustain industry-recognized certifications that have strong validation and assessment standards.

Career Pathways

As an Automotive Service Technician student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way. Graduates of this program also earn a technical diploma in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Technician. 

State-of-the-Art Technology

As a program student, you'll spend a lot of your time in the program's lab space using Northwood Tech's state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Get Certified

Complete the Wisconsin Section 609 Air Conditioning test to earn the Automotive Service Excellence certification. 


Required Courses

The Automotive Service Technician program includes studies in automotive fundamentals, electrical systems, engine mechanical systems, brakes, steering and suspension, body electrical systems and engine performance. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Automotive Service Technician Courses

32404379
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course introduces steering system types, suspension geometry, troubleshooting procedures, and repair of suspensions including both two- and four-wheel alignments. PREREQUISITE: 32404375 Automotive Fundamentals and 32404376 DC Automotive Electrical
32404381
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course is designed to develop the skills needed to diagnose, service, and repair powertrain control, fuel and ignition systems. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic procedures and the problem-solving techniques associated with automotive engine performance and drivability. PREREQUISITE: 32404375 Automotive Fundamentals and 32404376 DC Automotive Electrical
32404382
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course is an introduction to automotive body electrical systems. Students will learn about various body electrical components and how to diagnose and repair body electrical systems. PREREQUISITES: 32404375 Automotive Fundamentals and 32404376 DC Automotive Electrical

Automotive Service Technician is Part of a Career Pathway

As an Automotive Service Technician student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way. 

This technical diploma is embedded in the Automotive Service Technician program.

Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Technician

Technical Diploma
11 Credits / 1 Semester
Potential Careers
Lube Technician, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Technician, Quick Service Technician
Arrow pointing down

This is the program you’re looking at.

Technical Diploma
28 Credits / One Year / 2 Semesters Full Time
Potential Careers
Automotive Service Technician, Drivability Technician, Brake Technician, Suspension and Alignment Technician, Quick Service Technician, Lube Technician, Auto Service Writer and Automotive Parts Technician
Arrow pointing down

You can continue your education to earn a two-year technical diploma. 

Technical Diploma
54 Credits / Two Years Full Time
Potential Careers
Brake Technician, Air Conditioning Technician, Auto Transmission Technician, Automotive Electrical Technician, Service Writer, Drive Train Technician, Suspension and Alignment Technician, Drivability Technician, Automotive Technician
Arrow pointing down

Continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree. 


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.

Tools are available for Automotive Service Technician students to use while in the lab.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Automotive Service Technician

28 Credits | 1 Year

$4,812

$3,750 for Tools, Supplies, and Uniforms (Tools are available for students to use while in the lab)

Download Tool List 


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Automotive Service Technician Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn Automotive Service Technician and Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Technician technical diplomas. Continue your education at Northwood Tech in the Automotive Technician technical diploma program.

Student studying at a computer

Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation. 

View Career Options

Student Studying at a laptop

Accreditation

ASE Education Foundation logo

Automotive Service Technician is accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation. 

ASE Education Foundation evaluates each program's structure, resources and quality of automotive service training. They review this against standards established by industry experts and offer ASE accreditation to programs that meet high quality requirements. 

Learn more at www.aseeducationfoundation.org

NC3 logo

Automotive Service Technician is nationally certified through the ASE Education Foundation and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). NC3 is a value-driven organization and the future model for Career and Technical Education, creating highly-skilled, job-ready professionals through a growing network of educational partners and global industry leaders.

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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