Light Duty Automotive Technician, Transportation Services (Technical Certificate)

Program Overview

The Technical Certificate in Transportation Services with a Specialization in Light Duty Automotive Technician provides comprehensive training in vehicle repair competencies, equipping students with hands-on skills in electronics, suspension, climate control, and safety. Graduates can pursue careers as light duty automotive technicians or in parts and service distribution, meeting industry standards through a combination of core courses and restricted electives. The program requires a grade of "C" or better in all courses, with a total of 29 semester hours.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Award: Technical Certificate
• Program of Study: Transportation Services
• Specialization: Light Duty Automotive Technician
• Program Code: 1106
• Description: Students learn the fundamentals of electronics, starters, ignition, and charging systems, air conditioning, brakes, suspension and steering, cooling and heating systems, safety, technical math, use of technical manuals, basic management, communication and leadership skills.
Career options include light duty automotive/diesel technician, parts and service distributor.
• Learning Outcomes: Graduates of this major will be able to:
(Quantitative Fluency)
• Describe the scope and application of principle features of the field of study, including core practices in the vehicle repair industry.
(Specialized Knowledge)
• Define the legal and ethical standards required of the vehicle repair industry.
(Specialized Knowledge)

Outline:

• Program Structure:
• Consists of 29 semester hours
• Must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses
• Course List:
• Required Courses (25 semester hours):
• TSTC 100 Introduction to Transportation Services (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 101 Vehicle Service and Inspection (3 semester hours)
• TSTC 130 Electrical I (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 160 Electrical II (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 170 Chassis Fundamentals (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 171 Brakes I (2 semester hours)
• TSTG 120 Industrial Safety Practices (2 semester hours)
• TSTG 175 Brakes II (2 semester hours)
• TSTG 195 Climate Control (4 semester hours)
• CADT 101 Introduction to Computers (1 semester hour)
• MATH 107 Career Math (3 semester hours)
• Restricted Electives (4 semester hours):
Select a minimum of 4 semester hours from the following:
• TSTG 135 Starting and Charging Systems
• TSTG 215 Engine Reconditioning
• TSTG 275 ABS Diagnostics
• TSTA 265 Engine Control Services
• TSTA 267 Body Controls
• TSTA 275 Alignment and Suspension Service
• TSTA 286 Hybrid and Alternative Fueled Vehicles
• TSTA 287 Engine Performance and Emissions
• Plan of Study Grid:
• First Year Fall Semester:
• TSTC 100 Introduction to Transportation Services (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 170 Chassis Fundamentals (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 171 Brakes I (2 semester hours)
• TSTG 120 Industrial Safety Practices (2 semester hours)
• TSTG 175 Brakes II (2 semester hours)
• MATH 107 Career Math (3 semester hours)
• Total Semester Credit Hours: 13
• First Year Spring Semester:
• TSTC 101 Vehicle Service and Inspection (3 semester hours)
• TSTC 130 Electrical I (2 semester hours)
• TSTC 160 Electrical II (2 semester hours)
• TSTG 195 Climate Control (4 semester hours)
• CADT 101 Introduction to Computers (1 semester hour)
• TSTG/A - Restricted Electives (4 semester hours)

Careers:

• Career Options:
• Light duty automotive/diesel technician
• Parts and service distributor

Other:

• Additional Expenses: Students entering the program may be required to purchase or have hand tools and appropriate clothing and safety gear with a total cost of approximately $2,500.00.
These costs may vary with student need and brand or quality of tools or equipment purchased. All safety glasses must meet the minimum industry safety standard of Z-87 with side shields.
• Institutional Certificate Requirements:
• Consists of 5-59 semester hours.
• Consists of 100-200 level courses.
• At least fifty percent of the credit hours must be taken at CMU/WCCC.
• 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/WCCC coursework.
• A grade lower than “C” will not be counted toward meeting the requirements.
• A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
• Non-traditional credit (advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships) cannot exceed twenty-five percent of the semester credit hours required for a technical certificate.
• Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
• Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Certificate Requirements.
• The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and certificate requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate.
Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
• See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
• Graduation Process:
• Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their certificate requirements (for one-semester certificates, complete in the first week of class):
• Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
• Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed.
The advisor must approve the final plan.
• Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
• Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.