Automotive Service Technician, Certificate

Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5306
Curriculum Code: TBD
Campus Location: South - Vehicle Technology Training Center
Engineering & Technologies Division
Career Opportunities/Further Education: Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, Garages

Program Description

In this age of computer-enhanced, fuel-injected automobiles, the modern automotive technician must be knowledgeable in many areas to be successful. These changes in auto technology have expanded the need for automotive technicians. 

The Automotive Service Technician Co-op  is a cooperative program where half of student learning is delivered through coursework at SUNY Erie and the other half from work based learning experiences at partnering automotive repair facilities.  The purpose of the program is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and experience to be a successful automotive service technician, and to afford them practical opportunities to sharpen their skills and abilities.   

Graduates of the Automotive Service Technician Co-op  Certificate are eligible for positions as technicians, lead technicians, assistant foremen, shop foremen, parts managers, service managers, or salespersons. 

Program Competencies

• Upon graduating with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology, the graduate will be able to:
• Employ safe working practices while maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing automotive systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to compose, in both oral and written form, a coherent, effective and grammatically correct text for the purpose of automotive repair orders, estimates, and invoices. 
• Select the proper way to diagnose and repair an automotive system when given options, such as repairs that are not approved by certain manufacturers or when calculating between the repair or replacement of a component. 
• Show the ability to recognize when automotive service information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use the information effectively. 
• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of various perspectives of people within the automotive industry, both locally and globally. 
• Effectively collect data to determine the cause of unwanted symptoms in automotive systems. 
• Properly use tools to maintain, diagnose, and repair automotive chassis, powertrain, and electrical systems. 

Department Notes

• Students of the SEACO program must be sponsored by a participating West Herr Auto Group dealership. Paid sponsorships are coordinated with the SEACO instructors at the college and West Herr representatives.
• The SEACO program is housed at the Vehicle Technology Training Center which operates as part of the South Campus.
• Students must have a driver’s license with less than 4 points to be eligible for the SEACO program.
• Students are required to supply their own basic set of tools for the coop portion of the program.  A list of essential tools will be made available upon request.
• It is strongly recommended that students have their own laptop or tablet for use in the program.
• Students will be required to purchase an online subscription to training material.  The approximate cost of this subscription is $250.
• Semesters alternate between 7.5 week semesters at the Vehicle Technology Training Center and 7.5 week paid coop experiences at the students’ sponsoring dealerships.