Online Autobody & Collision Repair Degrees
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Professionals in autobody and collision repair work with their hands and with special machinery to restore, enhance, and repair vehicles. High school graduates or GED recipients are normally qualified for careers in this field, although some form of on-the-job training or formal education is essential. Annual salaries vary by specialty.
Individuals in autobody and collision repair are commonly called auto mechanics, but it is best to keep in mind that they usually specialize in repairing vehicles that have external and internal damage from auto accidents, inclement weather, and other hazards. They are kept busy diagnosing problems, ordering and replacing vehicle parts, and removing dents and scratches. Repair professionals may also perform minor and complex maintenance procedures, including wheel alignments, oil changes, and tune-ups.
Repairers normally work 40-hour full-time shifts in repair shops, manufacturing companies, car dealerships or out of their own garage. Many also work weekends or stay on-call as needed. Professionals in autobody and collision should be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and reliable workers. People interested in this field should also be prepared to be exposed to dangerous chemicals, heavy machinery, and grime from vehicles. They should also possess good communication, listening and comprehension skills, especially during consultations with customers. Excellent hand and foot coordination, along with decent eyesight, is vital to their trade as well.
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Learn more about Penn Foster Career School - Vocational Programs
What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Collision Repair: Specialists in this field focus on taking away dents and scratches, adjusting bent or crumpled components, and replacing irreparable auto parts.
- Painting and Coating: Workers apply paint or other special coatings, clean external vehicle parts, and sand wood or metal surfaces.
- Automotive Glass: These professionals replace broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged windshields and windows in vehicles.
- Body Repair: Body repairer deal with repairing plastic body parts on new and used motor vehicles.
What degree levels are available?
- Certificate: 6 months to 1 year to complete
- Associate Degree: 2 to 2.5 years to complete
- Bachelor’s Degree: 2 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
Many people assume individuals in autobody collision and repair do not undergo formal training. Several of them do not, but some of them do. Those who do not get certificates or degrees after high school graduation or a GED program complete on-the-job training for their employer. It generally takes three or four years of this kind of training to be considered fully qualified in this field. Specialized education programs are crucial when it comes to learning how to diagnose and work on newer vehicles. Many of the formal training programs are accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and provide a balanced combination classroom coaching and hands-on experience.
Individuals who choose to further their education have a variety of options. Vocational schools usually offer certificate programs that take six months to one year to complete. Courses in mathematics, physics, electronics, chemistry, and computers are offered. Many community colleges also offer two-year associate degrees in collision repair. In addition to general academic courses, students take specialized auto courses that suit their interests.
A Bachelor of Science in automotive technology is offered to those who want to advance in their existing careers or learn the complex nature of the automotive industry as a whole. Many of these degree programs enable individuals who have earned their two-year associate degree to enter as juniors and receive their bachelor’s in two years. General academic courses include English, psychology, economics, botany, and philosophy. Students also enter career-related classes, such as principles of supervision, introduction to automotive technology, electronic presentations, safety management and hazardous materials, and spreadsheet applications.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that many repairers, especially those in urban environments, require certification to be promoted past entry-level positions in this field. Individuals may voluntarily become certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence to demonstrate their expertise and maximize their chances at career advancement. The association offers four levels of certification, depending on area of specialty. Professionals who have two years of hands-on experience and pass at least one exam are considered certified. (BLS)
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
- Engine Lubrication: This class introduces you to such concepts as lifting a car up for service and testing an engine. Above all, this class is about oil: its viscosity, choosing the right one, and checking for leaks.
- Wheels and Tires: Learn how to inflate a tire correctly, adjust its pressure, and keep all four tires in perfect alignment. You'll also pick up tips in repairing a wheel's bearing and replacing its cups.
- Starting and Ignition: What's a car worth if it can't start properly? Here, you'll learn about starter clutch drives, magnetic triggering devices, and how to read a spark plug.
- A/C and Heating: This class transforms you into an air conditioning whiz. Compressor clutch, the blower, its controls, and service gauges are some of the vocab you'll encounter.
- Steering and Suspension: Macpherson strut suspension systems are just one of the complex concepts you'll need to get down here. Others include power steering and shock absorbers.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
This largely depends on each individual program. With repair education, some offerings may want to see you demonstrate your skills in a live and meticulously assessed, in-person examination.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
- Motorcycle Mechanic: Yes, there is a fully fledged degree program devoted entirely to the maintenance and repair of motorcycles. ATVs, snowmobiles, and other similar vehicles will also be covered here.
- Automotive Technology: This is a more general degree program than auto body repair -- which could be offered as a specialty here. Typically, auto technology education is earned in a diploma or certificate offering.
- Marine Mechanic: Learn how to keep jet skis, yachts, and other ocean-borne equipment in tip top shape here. You can specialize in boat construction, boat repair, or equipment manufacturing, among a myriad of options.
