Automotive Schools

How to start your career in the automotive industry

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motive Schools

When considering post-secondary education in the automotive, marine, or aviation industries, you may have a list of questions such as:

* Am I qualified to begin a program in a technical field in which I have no previous real-world experience?
* How long will the program take to complete?
* How much will the program cost?
* What if I can't find the right program in my state?
* What are my job prospects upon graduation?
* Will the school help me find a job?

Most marine, aviation, or automotive post-secondary technical schools offer programs designed for students who are looking to start a new career and have had very little exposure to the field they are pursuing. Instruction begins at very basic levels to ensure that you master the fundamentals of the job before advancing to more complex technology. Because of this, and because the demand for such jobs is and will remain quite high, especially in the automotive repair industry, most technical schools have little or no entrance requirements.

Most programs in the automotive sciences are full-time, with year-round starts every three to six weeks, so you can enroll anytime. Depending on your area of specialization, automotive programs usually last around 12 months. However, many automotive technology schools, especially distance-learning ones, allow students to spread the coursework to two years so they can work part-time while studying. Distance learning is also an excellent option for prospective auto technicians who can't find the right training program in their hometown.

It is also important to know if the school you're interested in offers any sort of job placement services. Most automotive technology schools deal directly with car companies to bring their students first-hand knowledge of the latest equipment, devices, components, and repair processes. Some institutions, such as Lincoln Technical Institute, offer advanced degrees in manufacturer-specific training programs supported by car companies. These relationships with manufacturers are often a source for student internships - an important first step in your automotive career - or even post-graduation employment.

Student loans and financial aid - both merit and need-based - are available from a number of private and public sources. Most educational institutions can provide you with information on financial aid, so be sure to ask about it when you first contact the schools about their technical training programs.

As new technologies are continually being integrated into more and more vehicles, there has never been a more exciting time to work in the automotive repair industry! Go ahead and explore the automotive schools we've researched for you below. You can also utilize these quick links:

* collision repair and refinishing schools
* motorcycle technology schools
* diesel technology schools
* marine technology schools
* aviation maintenance technology schools

Click on the school's name to request additional information. Good luck on your decision to begin a new career!

Featured School
Universal Technical Institute (Multiple Campus Locations) - Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Ford FACT Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Diesel/Industrial Technology, Automotive Technology w/SMOG (California Emissions), BWM FastTrack
Marine Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Marine Technician Specialist
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Phoenix) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville) - Automotive & NASCAR Technology, Automotive & Ford FACT Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II, Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

Online
Penn Foster Career School - Auto Body Repair Technician, Auto Detailer, Auto Repair Technician

Arizona
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Avondale) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ BMW FastTRACK, Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology w/Cummins
Arizona Automotive Institute (Glendale) - Automotive / Autotronics, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Automotive / Shop Management (AAS Degree), Automotive Technology
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Phoenix) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives

California
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Rancho Cucamonga, Sacramento) - Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology w/BMW FastTrack, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology
Wyotech (Fremont, Long Beach, West Sacramento) - Automotive technology, Chassis Fabrication and High Performance Engines, Collision/Refinishing Technology, Street Rod and Custom Fabrication, Trim and Upholstery

Colorado
Westwood College (Denver) - automotive technology
IntelliTec Colleges (Colorado Springs, Grand Junction) - automotive technician

Connecticut
Baran Institute of Technology (East Windsor) - autobody technician, automotive technician

Florida
ATI Career Training Center (Miami) - automotive service technician
ATI Career Training Center (Oakland Park) - automotive service technician
Marine Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Marine Technician Specialist
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives
Wyotech (Daytona Beach) - BMW Motorcycle Mechanic, Ducati Motorcycle Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Mechanic, Honda Motorcycle Mechanic, Kawasaki Motorcycle Mechanic, Marine Mechanics, Suzuki Motorcycle Mechanic, Yamaha Motorcycle Mechanic

Illinois
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Glendale Heights) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT or Toyota TPAT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT or Toyota TPAT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ International ITEP

Indiana

Maryland

Massachusetts
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Norwood) - Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Diesel / Industrial Technology

New Jersey

North Carolina
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville) - Automotive & NASCAR Technology, Automotive & Ford FACT Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II, Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

Pennsylvania
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Exton) - Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II + Pit Crew
New Castle School of Trades (Pulaski) automotive Technology
York Technical Institute (York) motorcycle technology

Tennessee
Nashville Auto-Diesel College (Nashville) auto body repair technology (diploma and Associate Degree), automotive and diesel technology (diploma and Associate Degree)

Texas
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Houston) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology w/ Toyota TPAT, Diesel / Industrial Technology
ATI Career Training Center (Dallas) - automotive service technician
ATI Career Training Center (North Richland Hills) - automotive service technician

Virginia
Advanced Technology Institute (Virginia Beach) Automotive Technology I, Automotive/Diesel Technology, Ford Motor Co. MLR Training