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 Automotive Technology?
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).
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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.
Program Options
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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
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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
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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” handle3/8" 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” adapterTORX® 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 setMiscellaneous 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 toolFeeler 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. - Term 1
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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 ConditioningEstimated 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” handle3/8" 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” adapterTORX® 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 setMiscellaneous 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 toolFeeler 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.
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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.
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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.