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Columbus Technical Campus

The Automotive Service Technology Program

Program now NATEF/ASE Master Certified

Columbus Automotive Service PowerPoint Presentation (18.3 MB, fast Internet connection recommended)

The Coffeyville Community College Automotive Technology Program offers career-oriented automotive repair training in an authentic shop environment.

Training covers four of the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification areas:

  • Automotive Electrical Systems
  • Automotive Suspension, Steering, and Alignment
  • Automotive Brakes
  • Automotive Engine Performance

Students receive technical training to enter the industry as entry level automotive service and diagnostic technicians. Through instruction and practice, students learn to repair the complex mechanical, electronic, and computerized systems of today's automobiles and light trucks.

Career opportunities in the automotive industry include dealerships, fleets, and independent repair shops.

Students in Automotive Service Technology receive hands-on training in a shop environment, combined with classroom instruction. Training will be provided in automotive systems theory, service, repair, encompassing the operation, and service of all systems of the automobile.

Program highlights

  • 9 month program
  • Strong job market outlook
  • Opportunity to participate in state and national competitions through SkillsUSA student organization
  • All hours earned in the certification program count toward an Associates of Applied Science
  • Technical Scholarships are available (call for more information)

Program Information

For additional information contact our instructor:

Jeffrey Phillips
Automotive Service Technology
jeffp@coffeyville.edu
620.429.3896 or 800.208.8324
Coffeyville Community College
Columbus Technical Campus
509 W. Elm Street
Columbus, KS  66725
620.429.3896 or
800.208.8324

Recommended Automotive Service Technology Courses

(Secondary and Postsecondary Programs) 

Core Requirements  
Secondary
Contact Hours
Postsecondary
Credit Hours
ASTC-143 Automotive Electrical Systems
325
12
ASTC-233 Automotive Suspension, Steering, and Alignment
280
10
ASTC-237 Automotive Brakes
280
10
ASTC-211 Automotive Engine Performance
325
12
ASTC-107 Shop Math & Communications I
45
2
ASTC-217 Shop Math & Communications II
45
2
ASTC-207
0-195
up to 4
Total
Contact/Credit Hours
 
1300-1495
48-52

To complete the Associate in Applied Science Degree, the student must complete the technical program and the general education credit hours, which must be taken from the list approved by the General Education Committee. The Automotive Service Technology credit hours and the general education credit hours must total at least 64 credit hours. 

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Students completing a technical program may desire to seek the Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.  In addition to completing a technical program, this degree also requires the completion of 18 hours in general education.  Complete degree requirements are available at this link.

Description of Courses 

ASTC-237.  Automotive Brakes (280 Contact Hours).  10 Hours.  The student will learn safety, theory, service, and repair of automotive brake systems and their components.  Emphasis is on hydraulic and antilock brake systems (ABS); the repair of master cylinders, wheel cylinders, and brake boosters; caliper rebuild; and brake drum and rotor machining.

ASTC-143.  Automotive Electrical Systems (325 Contact Hours). 12 Hours.  The student will learn safety, basic theory of electricity, how to read and interpret wiring diagrams and how to diagnose and repair individual electrical systems on vehicles.  These systems include batteries, starting, charging, lights, horn, electric windows, power seats, and all other systems installed on vehicles.

ASTC-211.  Automotive Engine Performance (325 Contact Hours).  12 Hours.  Students will learn safety, theory, and procedures to properly diagnose and repair problems that may exist in the fuel, ignition, exhaust, emission control, and electronically controlled ignition and computerized systems.  Emphasis is placed on developing a comprehensive understanding of all electronic components and systems with special emphasis on problem diagnosis. 

ASTC-233.  Automotive Suspension, Steering, and Alignment (280 Contact Hours).  6 Hours.  Students will learn safety, theory and principles of operation of the automotive chassis and steering systems.  Diagnosis, measuring, and repair of steering and suspension systems including tire balancing and four-wheel alignment to OEM specification will be offered in this course. 

ASTC-207.  On-the-Job Training (OJT or OJT Equivalent) (0-195 Contact Hours).  Up to 4 Hours.  Students are placed at on-site training locations in cooperation with local businesses. This allows students to gain skills working in their field while still attending classes.  Minimum competencies in core curriculum must be maintained.  Attendance must be excellent and a professional attitude demonstrated before students will be considered for this opportunity.

ASTC-107 Shop Math and Communications I( 45 Contact Hours).  2 Hours. Review of basics in English, math and reading are taught using the PLATO computerized software and classroom instruction.  Basic shop math, geometry, and work ethics are taught utilizing various sources. 

ASTC-217 Shop Math and Communications II ( 45 Contact Hours).  2 Hours.  Work ethic, customer communication applications, employability techniques, such as job applications, job interviewing techniques, and resumes are taught to aid the student in competing at a more competitive level for successful employment.

Employment Potential

Well trained technicians are getting harder to find. CCC Automotive Service Technology is constantly improving to meet the needs of industry by training qualified entry level technicians to keep industry striving. As demand goes up, a well-trained technician is irreplaceable, and the employment potential is unlimited. Opportunities should be very good for automotive service technicians and mechanics with diagnostic and problem-solving skills and knowledge of electronics and mathematics. Over the 2002-12 period, population growth will boost demand for motor vehicles, which will require regular maintenance and service. Growth of the labor force and in the number of families in which both spouses need vehicles to commute to work will contribute to increased vehicle sales and employment in this industry. Automobile technicians and mechanics can expect to find employment in a variety of location such as:

  • Repair shops
  • Automobile dealerships
  • Transportation companies
  • Automobile manufacturing factories

Wages for automotive technicians vary by location, but average between $10.00 and $25.00 per hour. For additional information, visit the U.S. Department of labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupation Handbook.

Program Goals
Students who successfully complete this program should be able to:

  • Provide fundamentals of basic engine principles, operations, and maintenance
  • Provide knowledge of principles, operation, diagnosis, and service of disc brakes, drum brakes, and ABS systems
  • Provide knowledge of principles, operations, diagnosis, and service of automotive electrical systems, and wiring diagrams
  • Provide knowledge of principles, operations, diagnosis, and service of engine performance problems with diagnostic equipment such as scanners and analyzers
  • Demonstrate shop procedures and repair procedures with the correct tools and equipment in a safe environmentally friendly manner
  • Provide training to develop mathematical, along with oral and written communication skills to problem solve effectively in an automotive repair shop

Tool Requirements

Cost of tools are the responsibility of the Students

1 Tool Box with lock Combination Wrenches 3/8-3/4 Screwdrivers assorted
3/8" Drive Socket Set 3/8-3/4
w/assorted extensions
Metric Wrenches 8mm-21mm Scraper, prybar
1/4" Drive socket set
metric 4mm-13mm
 
Ball-peen Hammer 12 or 14 oz Side cutters (Dikes)
1/4" Drive socket set
standard 3/16"-9/16"
Torx bit set standard 1/4" to 3/8" Channel Locks
Metric Socket Set 8mm-19mm Torx bit set metric 4mm to 10mm Pliers *standard type*
Safety glasses Standard set of allen head sockets Needle nose pliers
Low Voltage Test Light Metric set of allen head sockets Chisel and punch set

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