Automotive Technology

Earn your two-year degree or certificates in automotive technology at Chemeketa.

Potential Salary$60,000

topics Trades

Skills & InterestProblem Solving

CareersTechnology

Why choose program or class?

If you are ready for comprehensive training in automotive technology and car repair, Chemeketa is the place to start.

Chemeketa's program is competitive with special prerequisites and an enrollment limit. Class cohorts begin each fall.

What will you learn?

Experienced and certified instructors will cover introductory and advanced automotive diagnosis and repair in the areas of –

Engine repair
Automatic transmission/transaxles
Manual drivetrain and axles
Suspension and steering
Brakes
Electrical/electronic systems
Engine performance
Heating and air conditioning

What will you do?

As a part of the automotive technology degree program, you will learn the technical skills you need to begin or advance your career through a combination of classroom and lab work and on-the-job experience. A cooperative work experience program allows you to earn college credit while earning money in the field. You will also learn written and oral communication skills that will help you communicate with co-workers and customers.

Upon completion, you will be qualified for a wide variety of jobs in the car repair and maintenance fields.

Chemeketa's instruction, course of study, facilities and equipment have been evaluated by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and meet the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Standards of Quality for the training of automotive technicians in all eight automotive specialty areas (Master Certification).

Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science

Students admitted to the program will be expected to complete general education courses as well as automotive courses in order to remain in the program.

Term 1
- AUM151 Basic Automotive Engines
- AUM157 Automotive Brake Systems
  - or AUM159 Automotive Chassis Systems
- AUM184 Automotive Materials and Resources
Term 2
- AUM152 Automotive Machine Shop
- AUM158 Automotive Steering and Suspension
- AUM168 Automotive Electrical Systems 1
Term 3
- AUM161 Manual Drive Trains and Axles 1
- AUM176 Automotive Electrical Systems 2
Term 4
- AUM262 Manual Drive Trains and Axles 2
- AUM263 Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles 1
- AUM266 Engine Performance 1
- AUM277 Electronic Vehicle Controls 1
Term 5
- AUM267 Engine Performance 2
- AUM282 Electronic Vehicle Controls 2
- AUM286 Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
Term 6
- AUM253 Automotive Engines 2
- or AUM280D Cooperative Work Experience
- AUM273 Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles 2
- or AUM280D Cooperative Work Experience
- AUM281 Engine Performance 3
- WLD197 Welding

Estimated Program Cost

It is estimated that for tuition, fees, and required tools/equipment, a student will spend a little more than $16,000 for the six terms (21 months) to earn the Associate of Applied Science degree.

Required Tools

Program students are also expected to have required tools and a laptop computer or tablet by the start of fall term classes.

Tools
1/4" Drive socket set	General Service set Shallow socket and handle set 3/16”–9/16” Deep socket set 3/16”-9/16” Deep and shallow socket set, Metric, 5.5–13mm 1/4” handle
3/8" Drive socket set	Shallow and deep socket and handle set 3/8”–3/4” Deep and shallow socket sets, Metric, 8–19mm Spark plug sockets—13/16” and 5/8”
1/2" Drive socket set	General service set including ratchet, breaker bar and extensions 12–24mm sockets 7/16”-1” sockets 1/2”- 3/8” adapter
TORX® Socket Set	#10, #20, #25, #45, #50, #55 Torx socket bits E-5 through E-18 (Internal sockets)
Wrench sets	Combination 1/4”–1” Combination metric 6mm–19mm Allen wrench set (Standard and Metric) Flare nut (tubing) wrench set (1/4”–13/16”, 9mm-21mm)
Screw drivers	Miscellaneous: 3 Phillips and 3 Standard #1 and #2 Pozidriv bits Ratcheting screwdriver/ bit set
Miscellaneous tools
Combination pliers 6” needle nose pliers Diagonal cutters Wire strippers Terminal crimping tool 12v test light Adjustable joint pliers (Channellock® pliers) 10” Vise grip pliers Gasket scraper 24 oz. Ball peen hammer Dead blow hammer Rubber mallet Punch and chisel set Brass drift 18” Pry bar Safety Glasses Tool box (no larger than 28” long x 20” x 20” high) Snap-On Digital Multi-meter #EEDM504D Battery post/terminal cleaner Spark plug (ignition) tester Spark plug gapping tool Brake return spring tool Brake hold down spring tool	Feeler gauges (.0015”-.040”) 10” mill file and handle Tape measure (6 ft.) 6” steel rule Air blow gun (meeting OSHA requirements) Tire pressure gauge Tire air chuck Oil filter wrench (small) Oil filter wrench (large) Miscellaneous test leads and jumper wires (14-gauge jumper leads w/boots) Hacksaw Utility knife Inspection mirror Magnetic pickup tool Flashlight Padlock Fender cover Crowfoot wrench set (standard and metric for tubing) Hearing protectors (ear plugs) Leather shoes MIG Welding gloves Work shirts*
*Work shirts to be purchased at the Chemeketa Community College Bookstore
NOTE: This is a basic tool list that will be adequate for lab work in classes on campus. It is highly recommended that quality brand name tools be obtained. Cooperative Work Experience sites may require and/or recommend additional tools that are more specific to Automotive Technology, Auto Body Repair, or Automotive Machine Shop.

AUTOMOTIVE BODY REPAIR CERTIFICATE

Chemeketa's auto body repair certificate will qualify you to work in collision repair roles including –

Painting
Brakes
Electrical/electronic systems
Suspension and steering
Heating and air conditioning systems

General Education requirements (13 credit hours):
CIS101 Computing Concepts (or higher)
MTH052        Intro to Algebra/Geometry (or higher)
PSY101         Psychology of Human Relations (or higher)
WR088 Introduction to Technical Writing 1
or
WR121           Academic Composition (or higher)

Automotive Body Repair core requirements (21 credit hours)
AUM168        Automotive Electrical Systems 1
AUM184        Automotive Materials and Resources
AUM280L      Cooperative Work Experience
WLD197        Welding 2
or
WLD161        Basic Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)

Automotive Body Repair electives (select a minimum of 15 credit hours):
AUM151        Basic Automotive Engines
AUM157        Automotive Brake Systems
AUM158        Automotive Steering and Suspension
AUM286        Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning

Estimated Program Cost

It is estimated that for tuition, fees, and required tools/equipment, a student will spend a little less than $9,000 for the three terms (9 months) to earn the Certificate of Completion.

Required Tools

Program students are also expected to have required tools and a laptop computer or tablet by the start of fall term classes.

Tools
1/4" Drive socket set	General Service set Shallow socket and handle set 3/16”–9/16” Deep socket set 3/16”-9/16” Deep and shallow socket set, Metric, 5.5–13mm 1/4” handle
3/8" Drive socket set	Shallow and deep socket and handle set 3/8”–3/4” Deep and shallow socket sets, Metric, 8–19mm Spark plug sockets—13/16” and 5/8”
1/2" Drive socket set	General service set including ratchet, breaker bar and extensions 12–24mm sockets 7/16”-1” sockets 1/2”- 3/8” adapter
TORX® Socket Set	#10, #20, #25, #45, #50, #55 Torx socket bits E-5 through E-18 (Internal sockets)
Wrench sets	Combination 1/4”–1” Combination metric 6mm–19mm Allen wrench set (Standard and Metric) Flare nut (tubing) wrench set (1/4”–13/16”, 9mm-21mm)
Screw drivers	Miscellaneous: 3 Phillips and 3 Standard #1 and #2 Pozidriv bits Ratcheting screwdriver/ bit set
Miscellaneous tools
Combination pliers 6” needle nose pliers Diagonal cutters Wire strippers Terminal crimping tool 12v test light Adjustable joint pliers (Channellock® pliers) 10” Vise grip pliers Gasket scraper 24 oz. Ball peen hammer Dead blow hammer Rubber mallet Punch and chisel set Brass drift 18” Pry bar Safety Glasses Tool box (no larger than 28” long x 20” x 20” high) Snap-On Digital Multi-meter #EEDM504D Battery post/terminal cleaner Spark plug (ignition) tester Spark plug gapping tool Brake return spring tool Brake hold down spring tool	Feeler gauges (.0015”-.040”) 10” mill file and handle Tape measure (6 ft.) 6” steel rule Air blow gun (meeting OSHA requirements) Tire pressure gauge Tire air chuck Oil filter wrench (small) Oil filter wrench (large) Miscellaneous test leads and jumper wires (14-gauge jumper leads w/boots) Hacksaw Utility knife Inspection mirror Magnetic pickup tool Flashlight Padlock Fender cover Crowfoot wrench set (standard and metric for tubing) Hearing protectors (ear plugs) Leather shoes MIG Welding gloves Work shirts*
*Work shirts to be purchased at the Chemeketa Community College Bookstore
NOTE: This is a basic tool list that will be adequate for lab work in classes on campus. It is highly recommended that quality brand name tools be obtained. Cooperative Work Experience sites may require and/or recommend additional tools that are more specific to Automotive Technology, Auto Body Repair, or Automotive Machine Shop.

AUTOMOTIVE ENTRY LEVEL TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE

If you're ready to do more than turn wrenches, Chemeketa's automotive entry level technician certificate is the place to start.

The program is designed to allow students with full-time employment or other daytime commitments the ability to attend classes and obtain a certificate in a one-year period, and no prerequisites or special applications are required.
AUTOMOTIVE MACHINING CERTIFICATE

This certificate emphasizes machining and rebuilding car engines. A significant portion of the training is done on the job and through special lab work on our Salem campus.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK & DRUG TESTING

Although Chemeketa's program does not require background checks or drug testing. you might want to familiarize yourself with how future employers might use these procedures. Whether you are hired or promoted for a job may depend on the information revealed in a background check. Job applicants and existing employees as well as volunteers may be asked to submit to background checks. For some jobs, screening is required by federal or state law. The current emphasis on security and safety has dramatically increased the number of employment background checks conducted. For more information, visit privacyrights.org.