Is This Program for You?

Do you love problem solving and diverse work? Are you detail-oriented and ambitious? If you possess these attributes and you love cars and trucks, you may have what it takes to pursue a career as an auto technician.

Students entering the Automotive Technician program should:

• Be mechanically inclined.
• Have good reading and math skills.
• Be able to get along with other people.
• Think logically.
• Pay attention to details.
• Be able to lift 50 pounds.

Program Basics

• Technical diploma, requiring a minimum of two years to complete.
• Day classes.
• High school articulation courses accepted.
• Financial aid available.
• Classes start in August.
• ASE Master Certified program.

Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
• To make sure your classes are the right fit, we consider any previous college credit you've earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
• Admissions Preference Policy

  Priority for program acceptance will be given in this order until May 1, 2024:

  1. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College District Residents (permanent address is in one of Southwest Tech’s 30 school districts the College serves) Southwest Tech District Information
  2. Non-District State Residents
  3. Out-of-State Residents

Helpful Academic Background

• Math, applied physics, and technical education courses.
• Good reading comprehension skills
• Youth Apprenticeship (up to 6 credits of advanced standing)

Program Fees

• This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
• Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
• Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.

Additional requirements

Students must have eye wear protection (safety glasses with side shields or wrap around safety glasses over prescription glasses) and must meet OSHA Z87.1 or greater while they are conducting operations that are deemed hazardous in nature. These glasses can be purchased at the College Bookstore.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Service brake systems.
• Service electrical/electronic systems.
• Perform engine performance service.
• Service steering and suspension systems.
• Service automatic transmissions and transaxles.
• Perform engine repair service.
• Service heating and air conditioning systems.
• Service manual drive trains and axles.
• Exhibits a level of professionalism appropriate to an entry level technician.

Employment potential includes:

• Auto Technician: Diagnoses problems, replaces parts or performs adjustments on automobiles for an auto dealership or independent repair facility.
• Auto Specialist: Works in a specialized area such as engine repair, electrical, brakes, wheel alignment, tune-up, air-conditioning or transmission repair.
• Parts Specialist: Work in a larger shop or parts distribution business processing and dispensing parts for automobiles.
• Service Manager: Meets customers and works with the technicians to help diagnose and locate vehicle trouble areas, and supervises shop activities.

The earning potential for auto technicians in southwest Wisconsin dramatically increases over a ten year span

Source: As reported by auto technician employers in Grant, Iowa, Crawford, La Fayette, and Richland counties.

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Automotive Technician Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
31-804-305	Applied Mathematics
	College Mathematics CLEP Test would also be accepted.
32-806-303	Science of Mechanics

Accreditation Status

The Southwest Tech Automotive Technician program is accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation.