Last updated on September 24, 2019
Do you like to tinker with things? Maybe dismantle them, fix them (at least some of the time), and then put them back together again? Have you ever considered doing it for a living? You can… by becoming an automotive service technician in two years or less with our Automotive Technology degree, certificate and specialty program options.
Here are just a few options to become a mechanic:
- Earn a Service Technician Associate in Applied Science degree from either Brookhaven College, Cedar Valley College or Eastfield College. Our Automotive Technology degree programs are nationally recognized and certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. (It should also be noted that the program at Brookhaven differs slightly from the program at Cedar Valley and Eastfield; make sure to read up on the details of each degree plan before deciding which college to attend.)
- Earn a Chassis Service Technician Certificate (available at all three colleges) or High Performance Modification Certificate (available at Eastfield only) in as little as one semester.
- Earn an Electronics and Climate Controls Technician Certificate, Engine Repair and Performance Technician Certificate or Transmission Service Technician Certificate in as little as two semesters. (These certificate options are available at all three colleges.)
Specialize in Automotive Engine Maintenance and Repair for Brands Like Ford and Toyota
In addition to these options, students can also specialize in certain brands and get jobs with an automotive technology degree through these dealership-sponsored programs:
- Brookhaven students can specialize in Ford and General Motors vehicles through the Dealership-Sponsored Technician Associate in Applied Sciences Degree, provided you are sponsored through a participating dealership approved by the college.
- Eastfield students can specialize in Toyota and Honda vehicles through the Toyota Technician-Training and Education Network (T-TEN) Associate in Applied Sciences Degree or the Honda Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT) Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.
- Cedar Valley students can specialize in Diesel and Heavy Equipment with the Preventive Maintenance Technician Certificate, which can be completed in three semesters. (You can read more about the program on the Automotive Technology/Diesel and Heavy Equipment page of the DCCCD website.)
What’s an Automotive Technician Salary in Texas Like?
There are more than 46,000 automotive service technicians working in the state of Texas, making an average salary of almost $40,000 annually. On the high end, automotive technicians in Texas can make nearly $30/hour for their services. Additionally, the Dallas-Plano-Irving area is in the top ten nationally for highest employment levels for these skilled individuals.
How to Get Started in Automotive Technology
If you are not already enrolled at a DCCCD college, complete the admissions process at one of the colleges listed above. When you meet with an academic advisor, mention your interest in the Automotive Technology program. He or she can help you determine which courses you should take.
Jump-Start Your Future at DCCCD
More Information About Automotive Technology Program Options
- Less interested in what’s under the hood, and more interested in what that hood looks like? Check out the degree plan for Eastfield College’s Auto Body Painter Certificate…
- … or maybe you prefer motorcycles? Cedar Valley offers a Motorcycle Technology Certificate, which trains students to meet entry-level requirements as motorcycle mechanics.