Essential Information
Michigan students can pursue automotive technology training at many 2-year colleges and 4-year universities at the certificate and associate's degree levels. Such degrees and certificates are often in the fields of automotive technology and advanced technology vehicles. Many in this industry also earn certificate in specialties like automotive HVAC, brakes and suspension, drivability and diagnosis, and automobile servicing. These programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory and internship training to prepare you for a career as an auto mechanic.
To become an auto mechanic in Michigan you'll need to be certified by the state, which involves passing an exam. Many employers also require mechanics to earn Automatic Service Excellence certification from the National Institute for Automotive Excellence.
Now let's take a look at automotive technology training programs at the ten largest schools in Michigan:
Delta College
Delta College, located in Bay City, has both certificate and associate degree programs in automotive service technology. The certificate program is 48 credits, while the associate degree program is about 65 credits. Courses in these programs include engine and brake systems, heating and air conditioning, driveline service, electronic engine performance, emission control, and fuel systems. These programs requires the completion two internships as well as two capstone projects.
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is based in Big Rapids and offers a program leading to an associate's degree in automotive service technology.This two-year program is accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. It requires 65 credits in topics such as automotive HVAC, automatic transmissions, and auto electricity, as well as 550 hours of supervised hands-on training to prepare students for careers as independent shop and dealership mechanics.
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Community College located in Grand Rapids, offers a certificate and associate's degree in automotive technology. The certificate program is 32 credits and can be completed in about ten months. Students take courses in electrical and brake systems, engine design, steering and suspension, and emission controls, as well as completing an auto servicing internship.
The automotive technology associate's degree is 65 credits and includes general education courses as well as the automotive courses offered in the certificate program, and two internships. Through an articulation agreement, graduates can transfer to Ferris State's bachelor's degree program in automotive management.
Henry Ford Community College
Located in Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College offers several automotive mechanic training certificates and associate's degrees. Students can pursue a 44-credit general automotive technology certificate, 20-credit dynamometer technician certificate, and 6-credit auto air conditioning, brakes, and alignment certificate.
The school also offers associate's degree programs in this field, which allow students to transfer to several four-year schools in Michigan. The automotive technology associate's degree program is 63 credits and focuses on the technical components of vehicle repair. Meanwhile, the automotive service ASSET associate's degree program is 69 credits and has a greater emphasis on problem-solving and shop management.
Lansing Community College
Lansing Community College is based in Lansing and offers numerous automotive technology certificate and degree programs. Students can earn associate's degrees in drivability and electrical diagnostics, hybrid and alternative fuels, and undercar maintenance and repair. These programs require 65 to 70 credits and cover advance topics like electrical diagnosis, alternative fuels, fuel cell technology, and hybrid vehicle technology.
The college also offers certificates in six specialty areas such as brake and suspension systems, advanced technology vehicles, and engine and transmission overhaul. Certificate programs require 22 to 41 credits depending on the specialty.
Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College is located in Warren. Here you can earn an associate's degree in automotive technology and coursework includes brakes and suspension, drivability and diagnosis, automobile driveline labs, air conditioning, and engines.
The school also offers multiple certificate programs in the field that range from 9 to 31 credits. Students can earn certificates in drivability and diagnosis, brakes and suspension, electrical and air conditioning, alternative-fuel, engines, and driveline.
Mott Community College
Based in Flint, Mott Community College offers an associate's degree program in automotive technology. The program is 75 credits and trains students in topics such as automotive fundamentals, engine theory and repair, engine performance, ignition and fuel systems, electrical systems, and brake systems.
Oakland Community College
Located in Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Community College offers an automobile servicing associate's degree. Required courses in the program cover topics in air conditioning and heating, automatic and manual transmissions, engine tune-up, electrical systems, and brake systems. Students also have an opportunity to participate in cooperative internships.
Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Community College is based in Ann Arbor and has automotive technology certificate and associate's degree programs. The automotive service technician certificate is 36 credits, with courses in brakes, suspension and steering, engine drivability, and electronic systems.
The associate's degree in automotive services technology requires 60-63 credits of coursework in general education and core courses. Degree students take the automotive technology courses offered in the certificate program in addition to elective courses.
Wayne County Community College
Wayne County Community College is located in Detroit and offers certificate and associate's degree programs in this field. The automotive service technology certificate is 30 credits, and the associate degree program is 61 credits. Students in both programs take courses in electronic and electrical systems, engine performance, brakes, suspension and steering, heating and air conditioning, automotive transmission, and engine repair.
Top Schools At a Glance
The top schools in Michigan offering automotive technology training are:
| School Name | School Type and Location | Auto Mechanic Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Delta College | 2-year, public; Bay City | Automotive Service Technology Certificate Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology |
| Ferris State University | 4-year, public; Big Rapids | Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 2-year, public; Grand Rapids | Automotive Servicing Certificate Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology |
| Henry Ford Community College | 2-year, public; Dearborn | Automotive Technology Certificate Automotive Technology - Dynamometer Technician Certificate Automotive Technology - Auto Air Conditioning, Brakes and Alignment Certificate Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology (ASSET) |
| Lansing Community College | 2-year, public; Lansing | Auto AC/Electrical Accessories Certificate Auto Steer/Suspension/Brakes Certificate Automotive Drivelines Certificate Engine Performance/Diagnosis Certificate Advanced Technology Vehicles Certificate Automotive Technology Certificate, Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Technology Vehicles Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology |
| Macomb Community College | 2-year, public; Warren | Brakes and Suspension Certificate Drivability and Diagnosis Certificate Driveline Certificate Electrical and Air Conditioning Certificate Engines Certificate Alternative Fuel Certificate Automotive Technology Certificate Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology |
| Mott Community College | 2-year, public; Flint | Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology |
| Oakland Community College | 2-year, public; Bloomfield Hills | Associate of Applied Science in Automobile Servicing |
| Washtenaw Community College | 2-year, public; Ann Arbor | Automotive Service Technician Certificate Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology |
| Wayne County Community College | 2-year, public; Detroit | Automotive Service Technology Certificate Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
