Automotive Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Automotive Technology major prepares you to diagnose and repair cars and light trucks. Automotive technology programs cover engines, electrical systems, brakes, suspension, climate control, diagnostics and hybrid and electric vehicles.

An Automotive Technology major includes coursework in engine performance, automotive electrical and electronics, brakes and suspension, drivetrain, and heating and air conditioning and more. You build skills such as diagnostics, using scan tools, mechanical repair, and electrical troubleshooting. Typical degrees: certificate and associate degree.

Typical courses include engine performance, automotive electrical and electronics, brakes and suspension, drivetrain, heating and air conditioning, and hybrid and electric vehicles. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Automotive Technology is offered as certificate and associate awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years and an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate and associate degree. In the latest federal data, 539 colleges reported certificate awards and 476 colleges reported associate awards.

Career paths connected to automotive technology include automotive service technician, auto body technician, diesel mechanic, parts salesperson, motorcycle mechanic, and small engine mechanic. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include automotive service technician (typical training: 6–24 months), auto body technician (typical training: 6 months–2 years), diesel mechanic (typical training: 6–24 months), parts salesperson (typical training: 1–3 months on the job), motorcycle mechanic (typical training: 9–15 months), and small engine mechanic (typical training: 3–12 months).

Automotive Technology majors build skills such as diagnostics, using scan tools, mechanical repair, electrical troubleshooting, and customer communication.

Good pairings include Business (helps if you plan to manage or own a shop).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as automotive service technician, auto body technician, and diesel mechanic, and enjoy subjects like engine performance and automotive electrical and electronics. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes engine performance, automotive electrical and electronics, and brakes and suspension; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

606 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (73), Texas (45), North Carolina (43), Illinois (35), and Michigan (23), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

484 of the colleges that offer automotive technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Automotive Technology prepares you to diagnose and repair cars and light trucks. Mechatronics and Robotics combines mechanics, electronics and programming to build and maintain automated systems. Automotive Technology leads to careers such as automotive service technician and auto body technician, while Mechatronics and Robotics leads to careers such as mechatronics technician and industrial maintenance technician.

Automotive Technology prepares you to diagnose and repair cars and light trucks. Precision Machining and CNC teaches you to make precision parts with manual and computer-controlled machines. Automotive Technology leads to careers such as automotive service technician and auto body technician, while Precision Machining and CNC leads to careers such as CNC machinist and CNC operator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to automotive technology, such as Automotive Service Technician Training.