Automotive Technician

Technical Diploma
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Why choose Automotive Technician?

  • Automobiles today are high-tech machines. Automotive technicians are the highly skilled experts who keep us moving.
  • Get the training you need to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks, and work on traditional mechanical systems as well as a growing number of electronic systems controlled primarily by computers.
  • This career is for problem solvers who would love to troubleshoot using computerized diagnostic equipment.
Automobiles today are no longer merely mechanical. We enjoy the perks of driving ourselves from one place to another in a high-tech machine, but maintaining and repairing our vehicles is no longer within reach for most owners. We rely on skilled automotive technicians to keep us moving.

Program Locations

Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

What You'll Learn

Mid-State’s Automotive Technician program gives students the experience and skills they need to diagnose and repair today’s vehicles. The program emphasizes engine and transmission repair, the drive train and axles, suspension and steering systems, brakes, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, and engine performance.

You’ll receive instruction from industry experts and have access to state-of-the-art equipment, including a variety of hand and power tools and complex electrical diagnostic equipment. Hands-on learning and opportunities to diagnose and repair cars for real customers will have you ready to enter the workforce with confidence.

Outcomes

  • Demonstrate professionalism appropriate for the auto service industry.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive internal combustion engines.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive automatic transmission/transaxle systems.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive manual drive train and axle systems.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive steering and suspension systems.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive brake systems.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive electrical and electronic systems.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive heating and air conditioning systems.
  • Perform diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive engine performance systems.

Employability Skills

  • Behave Responsibly:  Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
  • Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
  • Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
  • Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
  • Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility

Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $10,900.73
  • Books: $345.80 
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $40.00
  • Total Estimated Cost: $11,286.53

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for full Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  32404307 Suspension & Steering Systems  5
  32404308 Braking Systems-Automotive  5
  32404375 Service Practices in Automotive Industry  1
  31804305 Applied Mathematics 2
  10457119 Fabrication Fundamentals 1 1
  32404340 Intro to Electricity for the Automotive Industry  1
  31442321 Welding Foundations 2 1
  31442320 Welding Foundations 1 1
  Term Total   17 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  32404311 Electrical Systems-Auto 5
  32404324 Engine Repair 5
  32404330 Applied Fluid Power  2
  Term Total   12 Credits
       
Term: 3
  Catalog# Title Credits
  32404323 Automatic Transmissions 5
  32404325 Manual Transmissions 5
  31801368 Workplace Communication  1
  32806351 Applied Science 2
  32404313 Electronic Control Systems 2
  Term Total   15 Credits
       
Term: 4
  Catalog# Title Credits
  32404322 Heating/Air Conditioning 3
  32404312 Advanced Electrical Systems-Auto 5
  32404326 Fuel Control System-Auto 5
  32404320 Hybrid Systems-Auto 1
  32404377 Business Practices in the Transportation Industry 1
  Term Total   15 Credits
       
  Program Total   59 Credits

Instructors

CURT ANDRES, BS, MS

Curt earned his master’s degree from Iowa State University. He holds several ASE certifications, including Master Auto Technician. To keep up to date on industry trends, he attends several training events yearly and takes science and technology courses from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“I enjoy seeing the growth of my students’ abilities throughout the year.”


MATT MANICKI, BS

Matt holds a bachelor’s degree from UW–Stout. Prior to Mid-State, he was assistant director at Tuner School, where he taught high-performance modifications and driving. Most of his experience is from the performance and exotic car market. Matt stays current on today’s vehicles by attending several training sessions each year and owning and operating a repair business.

“I love teaching at Mid-State because our small class sizes allow me to talk with students rather than at them. They also promote better student-to-student interaction.”

Careers

  • Automotive and Light Truck Technician
  • Automotive Master Mechanic
  • Engine Technician
  • Automotive Machine Shop Technician
  • Automotive Parts Salesperson
  • Automotive Technician Specialist
  • Maintenance Technician
  • Small Engine Technician
  • Specialty Shop Technician

Video

Fast-Track

High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.

Accreditation Information

This program meets the requirements for Master Automobile Service Technology Accreditation, the highest level of program accreditation recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

 

“Mid-State’s hands-on learning, convenient scheduling, updated technology, and instructors who can relate to the field have all helped me become successful and even advance in my career in under a year.”

STEPHANIE BORSKI
GRADUATE

Choose Your Path

Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Automotive Technician Program Pathway