Automotive Service Technology (2-Year)
Associate Degree

Our 2-year AAS program prepares automotive service diagnostic technicians to work in service centers and dealerships. The program is MAST (Master Automotive Service Technology) accredited through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), which ensures you will receive the highest academic quality program available.

Pittsburg State’s program requires 64 total credit hours. At its core are 50 credit hours of course work in automotive service technology, including seven credit hours on transmissions offered in the summer months. The remaining 14 credit hours of the AAS degree are in general education.

The material taught is vital to those preparing to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) test. We encourage all students to take each of the eight (8) ASE major certification area tests upon completion of the applicable Automotive Service course.

Students learn in classes that are purposefully kept small (average size is 25); guaranteeing a “hands-on” experience with some of the nation’s most accomplished professors. Our automotive laboratories encompass 32,000 square-feet of space and are among the most advanced in the nation. Thanks to our partners in industry, students have the opportunity to work on more than 40 donated automobiles and use the same tools and technology currently being used in the workplace. Students are required to purchase their own tools as their employers will require this also. To facilitate this, the annual Tool Show is held the first Wednesday of the Fall semester. This allows students the opportunity to shop for and purchase the tools that will be needed for the program.

Employers seek out Pittsburg State University graduates. In fact, the university’s latest employment report shows a nearly 100% placement rate for graduates of the 2-Year Automotive Service Technology program.

The annual median salary for Automotive Service Technicians is nearly $40,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Career options for graduates of this program include:

• Automotive Master Technician
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspector
• Automotive Specialty Technician
• Service Advisor
• Parts Department Manager
• And many others

Student certifications

FCA Chrysler CAP-Local

The MOPAR_® CAP learning experience is exclusively for Chrysler, Jeep_®, Dodge, Ram and FIAT^® products, as well as cutting-edge FCA US LLC diagnostic technologies and service information. That translates into product knowledge that puts someone with simply a generic certificate or automotive degree to shame. And that means you’re in higher demand and can demand a higher paycheck. Plus there’s loads more, like the chance to earn and learn, flexible educational paths, scholarship opportunities, tool discounts and nearly 100% of graduates will have an opportunity to work in a Chrysler, Jeep_®, Dodge, Ram dealership or FIAT^® Studio. Not to mention the fact that you’re getting schooled in something you already love. If that doesn’t get your gears spinning, we don’t know what will.

Snap-On S-Tech Certification

The automotive, transportation, heavy-duty, and diesel fields are going through a period of unprecedented transformation, so it is more important than ever to offer training and certification in the latest technologies. And as alternative fuel becomes more prevalent, more training and certification will be required to work on the vehicles of tomorrow. With Industry Certification, your graduates will be better prepared to service these vehicles, making them an in-demand asset in the workplace of tomorrow.

Certifications include:

• Automotive Scanner Diagnostics
• Heavy Duty Diesel Scanner Diagnostics
• Multimeter
• Electronic and Mechanical Torque
• Precision Measurement Instruments
• Tools at Height
• Wheel Service and Alignment
• Rotor Matching Master Technician Certification