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) 25-26

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
  
Admissions Preference Policy
Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

Academic Preparedness Requirements

Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:


• Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us 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 your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
• Career Assessment Plan
  Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
• Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
  Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.

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.