Program Overview

The College's Automotive Technology program is certified by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation. Students completing the program will be prepared to take all eight Automotive Service Exams (ASE) in the Automotive Technology Program giving them the additional certification desired in the industry when they seek employment. In addition, students who complete AUTO 713, 734, 751 and 752 will be able to obtain a California Smog Check Technician License. Visit the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation website for more information at http://www.aseeducationfoundation.org/ and the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair at http://www.bar.ca.gov/.

The program is conducted in a well-equipped facility with a large fleet of late model domestic and import vehicles. Automobile manufacturers provide substantial support for the program.

Students can pursue a certificate or degree in Automotive Technology through our Automotive Global Pathway. Our partnerships with Nissan of America, Audi of America, Subaru of America, Serramonte Ford, Mercedes Benz and local independent repair businesses provide employment opportunities for students enrolled in our programs. Skyline College Automotive Program also provides numerous classes to update the knowledge and skills of practicing technicians.

Skyline College's Automotive Program is accredited by:

Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation
1503 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE
Suite 401
Leesburg, VA 20176
Telephone: (703) 669-6650

ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

Applications must be received by April 15 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester. All documents should be submitted to the Automotive Department office. Applications received after the deadline will be assigned the next available number on a waiting list according to the date received. Applicants with complete applications will be informed of the status of their applications within two weeks of the next semester beginning date. Applicants are responsible for submitting the following:

  1. Completed Skyline College application.
  2. Completed Automotive Technology Program Application.
  3. Documented proof of prior experience. All statements must be substantiated by attached documents of verification (a transcript or letter from employer). Such documentation may come from one or more of the following:
    • One semester of AUTO 710 or AUTO 711 at Skyline College (or equivalent from another community college) with a grade of "C" or better. (Submit a copy of your final grade report with your application or a letter from your instructor.)
      or
    • One year of high school automotive training with a grade of "C" or better (verified by official transcript).
      or
    • One year of full-time related work experience with accompanying letter of verification from employer specifying employment dates and duties. Depending on the job description and duties performed, an Automotive fundamentals exam with a passing score may be required for acceptance.
  4. Students must demonstrate Math proficiency in one of the following ways:
    • Successful completion of one year of a U.S. high school Elementary Algebra course. The final course in the term must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. (Submit a copy of your high school transcript with the application)*; or
    • Successful completion of a college Elementary Algebra, or higher level course, with a grade of "C" or better (Submit a copy of your college transcript with the application); or
    • Demonstrated placement at the Intermediate Algebra level, or higher, on the Skyline College Math Placement Test. (Submit a copy of your Math placement result (found in WebSMART) with the application.)
  5. Students must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:
    • Successful completion of one year of a U.S. high school senior English course. The final course in the term must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. (Submit a copy of your high school transcript with the application.)*; or
    • Successful completion of a college-level writing course, with a grade of "C" or better (Submit a copy of your college transcript with the application)**; or
    • Successful completion of ESOL 400, or equivalent, with a grade of "C" or better (Submit a copy of your college transcript with the application.); or
    • Demonstrated placement at a college-level ENGL writing course on the Skyline College English Placement Test. (Submit a copy of the English placement result (found on WebSMART) with the application.)

*Note: Students enrolled in the second term of their senior English and/or Math course by the application deadline may submit a high school transcript showing successful completion of the first term of a senior English and/or Math course with a grade of "C" or better. A final high school transcript showing successful completion of the second term of the senior English and/or math course, with a grade of "C" or better, must be submitted by July 1st.

NOTE: Minimum requirements may be lowered at the discretion of the selection committee depending on the number of available seats and the number of applicants.

If the program is impacted, there may be a waiting list. The applicant will be notified by email of application and enrollment status. Students who are unable to enroll during the current semester due to the program being impacted and wish to be considered for the following semester should notify the Automotive Department to forward their application. For further information on the Automotive Program, please call (650) 738-4438.

Program Requirements

Required Core Course Units
AUTO 713 Automotive Electricity and Electronics 15 units
AND
AUTO 580 Careers in Automotive Technology 1 unit
Plus a selection of 30 units from the following: Units
AUTO 546 Body Control Systems 15 units
AUTO 721 Automotive Steering, Suspension & Brakes 15 units
AUTO 734 Automotive Engine Diagnosis and Repair 15 units
AUTO 735 Automotive Transmission & Drive Trans Diagnosis and Repair 15 units
AUTO 745 Asian Brakes and Chassis 15 units
AUTO 749 Asian Engine Performance 15 units
AUTO 751 Automotive Engine Performance 15 units
AUTO 752 Advanced Engine Performance 15 units
Total Required Major Units: 46

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.