The AAS degree in Automotive Technology provides the necessary foundation and practical experience to pursue entry-level positions that meet the changing demands of the automotive industry. Entry-level positions may be found in automotive dealerships and franchises, independent service repair shops, auto part stores, or through self-employment. Students will learn the skills essential to employment in the field of maintenance technology, auto body care, chassis, diesel, and power train, leading to employment in service, maintenance, and areas of technological specialty such as detailing, auto body paint and refinishing, as well as management occupations or self-employment. Students will also be able to consider transferring Industrial Engineering Technology credits to state universities.

 

Related Degrees and Certificates

• Automotive Chassis Maintenance, Basic Certificate
• Automotive Fuel Management Technology, Basic Certificate
• Automotive Maintenance, Basic Certificate
• Automotive Technology, Basic Certificate
• Automotive Technology, Advanced Certificate
• Automotive Technology, Associate in Applied Science

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Coursework
ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
Additional General Education Courses 1,2		15
Required Program Core
AUTOTEC 101	Intro To Automotive Techn	4
AUTOTEC 103	Engine Concepts	4
AUTOTEC 104	Electrical Systems & Power Accessories	4
AUTOTEC 106	Fuel Systems	5
AUTOTEC 109	Automotive Brakes	4
AUTOTEC 204	Electrical Systems II	4
AUTOTEC 209	Steering & Suspension Systems	4
AUTOTEC 210	Performance & Driveability	5
AUTOTEC 212	Manual Drive Train & Axles	4
AUTOTEC 215	AutoTemperature Control Systems	4
Program Electives
Select a minimum of 6 credit hours of program electives		6
Total Hours		66

¹

Select an additional 15 hours of general education courses from Communications, Fine Arts & Humanities, Mathematics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Physical Sciences & Life Sciences.

²

At least one course must meet the Human Diversity (HD) requirement. 

Program Electives 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
AUTOTEC 108	Work Based Learning I	3-6
AUTOTEC 214		4
CIS 120	Introduction to Computer Applications	3

Pathways

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning an Associate in Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will a Basic Certificate(BC), an Advanced Certificate (AC) and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Automotive Technology. One course will satisfy the Human Diversity (HD) requirement, and is labeled with an (HD) in the sequence below.

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
AUTOTEC 101	Intro To Automotive Techn	4
AUTOTEC 103	Engine Concepts	4
AUTOTEC 104	Electrical Systems & Power Accessories	4
AUTOTEC 109	Automotive Brakes	4
AUTOTEC 209	Steering & Suspension Systems	4
	Hours	20
Semester 2
AUTOTEC 106	Fuel Systems	5
AUTOTEC 204	Electrical Systems II	4
ENGLISH 101	Composition 1	3
CIS 120	Introduction to Computer Applications 2	3
	Hours	15
Semester 3
AUTOTEC 210	Performance & Driveability	5
AUTOTEC 212	Manual Drive Train & Axles	4
AUTOTEC 215	AutoTemperature Control Systems	4
MATH 118	General Education Math 1	4
	Hours	17
Semester 4
AUTOTEC 214		4
PHY SCI 111	General Course I Physical Science 1	4
General Education course 1		3
Social and Behavioral Sciences course (HD) 1		3
Fine Arts & Humanities course 1		3
	Hours	17
	Total Hours	69

Total pathway credit hours may vary based on selected general education courses and electives 

¹

General Education Requirement

²

Program Elective

Program Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
AUTOTEC 108	Work Based Learning I	3-6
AUTOTEC 214		4
CIS 120	Introduction to Computer Applications	3

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Job Description

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$28,030
Median 50th Percentile	$46,304
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$80,296

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$13
Median 50th Percentile	$22
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$39

Annual Job Openings

968 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program	% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less	42.60%
A certificate	50.25%
Some college	5.78%
An Associate degree	1.37%
A Bachelor's degree	0.00%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

0.00% continue their education beyond an associate degree