Automotive Technology
The Automotive Technology program, on the Senatobia campus, prepares individuals to become automotive service technicians. These technicians inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks that run on gasoline, electricity, or alternative fuels, such as ethanol. They perform basic care maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, diagnose more complex problems, and plan and execute vehicle repairs.
Click here for course listings and details (Major 8014).
Click here for the required tool list.
The automotive technology program provides intensive career preparation through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practice. Students can earn a certificate or an associate degree.
Automotive technicians generally begin their careers in service repair shops, with continually expanding industrial and service career advancement opportunities. Technicians work with experienced professionals and have frequent contact with the public. This field requires good mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity skills.
What does your program offer me?
The program covers all major areas, including diagnosis and tune-up, chassis, electrical/electronic and hydraulic systems, automatic transmissions, engines, and emissions. Students work on developing the skills needed to advance to a supervisory position, such as customer relations, estimating materials and labor costs, and managing the work of others. The associate degree program includes technical core classes in English, basic mathematics, computers, and other subjects, as well as automotive repair. Graduates of the program without the technical core classes are awarded a Certificate.
The two-year associate of applied science degree is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). NATEF evaluates technician training programs to ensure they meet standards developed by the automotive industry. NATEF also manages the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) organization which provides certification tests for automotive technicians.
What do I need to do?
Individuals interested should contact program instructor(s). Admission to the program is competitive. Due to course sequencing, new students begin in the Fall semester. Students are required to provide their own tools. Click here for a copy of the tool list. Link to PDF.
What is the CAP Program all about?
Instructor: Tom Parrott
Phone: 662-562-3389
Office location: Technical Building III
Instructor: Kevin Miller
Phone: 662-562-5244
Office location: Technical Building III
Instructor: David Yount
Phone: 662-562-3391
Office location: Technical Building III
How much can I earn?
Median hourly wages of automotive service technicians and mechanics, including commission, were $16.88 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.44 and $22.64 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.56, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $28.71 per hour.
Reference:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Gainful Employment Information for Automotive Certificate
Last Updated Friday, July 29 2011 @ 10:18 AM CDT|1,516 Hits 