Auto Collision Technologies

Program Pathways

Collision Repair and Refinishing Diploma

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 43
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 3
Time to Complete 1 year
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Collision Repair and Refinishing – Diploma
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Purchasing Tools

Students in the Collision Repair and Refinishing diploma program are required to purchase tools for use in program coursework.

First Year Required Tools List 2024–2025

Automotive Technology to Auto Collision Technologies program Required Tools List 2024–2025

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Applied Math
  • Collision Lab I
  • Introduction to Collision Repair
  • Introduction to Refinishing I
  • Introduction to Refinishing II
Term 2
  • Advanced Collision Production Tech
  • Advanced Collision Repair
  • Advanced Refinishing
  • Advanced Refinishing II
  • Electronic Estimating
Term 3 — Summer
  • Collision Production Technician
  • Refinishing Production Technician

Core courses meet for 4-week terms allowing you to focus on one core course and one general education course at a time.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to terms 4 and 5 of the Auto Collision Technologies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program or graduate and enter the workforce.

Auto Collision Technologies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

Many collision repair shops need employees who can also repair auto mechanics. The second year of the Auto Collision Technologies program will provide you with hands-on training in auto mechanics.

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 84
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 5
Time to Complete 2 years
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Auto Collision Technologies – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Purchasing Tools

Students in the Auto Collision Technologies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program are required to purchase tools for use in program coursework.

First Year Required Tools List 2024–2025

Second Year Required Tools List 2024–2025

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Applied Math
  • Collision Lab I
  • Introduction to Collision Repair
  • Introduction to Refinishing I
  • Introduction to Refinishing II
  • Written Communication in the Workplace
Term 2
  • Advanced Collision Production Tech
  • Advanced Collision Repair
  • Advanced Refinishing
  • Advanced Refinishing II
  • Electronic Estimating
Term 3 — Summer
  • Collision Production Technician
  • Refinishing Production Technician
Term 4
  • Auto Starting, Charging, and Electrical
  • Automotive Advanced Brake Systems
  • Automotive Brake Systems
  • Introduction to Automotive Technology
  • Introduction to Automotive Technology II
Term 5
  • Automotive Computerized Engine Controls
  • Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Manual Transmissions and Transaxles
  • Automotive Suspension and Steering
  • Human and Work Relations

Core courses meet for 4-week terms allowing you to focus on one core course and one general education course at a time.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Auto Collision Technologies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. Graduates can earn a second AAS degree with two terms of additional study in the Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program.

Careers

Positions

Graduates find work in collision repair centers and auto body shops doing vehicle restoration, collision repair and refinishing, body repair, and automotive customization. Positions include but are not limited to:

  • Auto body specialists and technicians
  • Auto refinisher
  • Auto frame/unibody technicians and specialists
  • Painters
  • Parts manager
  • Auto body product salespersons
  • Collision specialist
  • Estimator

With additional coursework and experience, graduates have become:

  • Body shop managers
  • Auto insurance adjusters
  • Auto appraisers

Example Careers and Average Wages

Entry Average Experienced
Automotive Body and Related Repairers * $34,720 $49,890 $60,360
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers $36,300 $46,920 $48,620
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage $51,920 $75,240 $76,200

Source: 2023 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development — Statewide Wages

* Automotive Body and Related Repairers wages are based on an hourly wage. Most shops pay on commission base. When working on commission, technicians may be compensated on a per job basis and earn $75,000 – $120,000 per year.

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:

Business Location
Anderson Collision Center Cedar Falls, IA
Billion Auto Clive, IA
Clemons Chevrolet Marshalltown, IA
Deery Brothers Collision Center Cedar Falls, IA
Dunlap Motors Independence, IA
Iowa Auto Rebuilders Waterloo, IA
Rydell Chevrolet Waterloo, IA
Tophat Automotive Syndicate Evansdale, IA
Witham Auto Centers Waterloo, IA

Program Contacts

Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Natasha Ceaser Email Natasha Ceaser 319-296-4014 ext.1062 Bremer Hall 136C
Faculty Advisor
Terry Van Dyke Email Terry Van Dyke 319-296-2329 ext.1119 Butler Hall 107B

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