Automotive Technology

The baccalaureate degree in Automotive Technology is designed to prepare students for employment at original equipment manufacturers (OEM), such as, but not limited to, Stellantis, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Cummins, International, and Volvo. Additionally, the program prepares students for other senior technical, leadership, and managerial opportunities at local dealerships, repair facilities, diagnostic tool companies, medium/heavy-duty maintenance repair facilities, and as educators in public or private sectors. Technical, hands-on instruction on modern automobiles and other vehicles is at the core of the program, accompanied by coursework to attain various skills required for employment at automobile manufacturer companies, dealerships, and other service/repair facilities.

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The goal of this program is to provide students a learning experience with in-person, hands-on instruction, and a focus on preparing students for employment with automotive and other transportation original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The Bachelor's degree in Automotive Technology at Santa Ana College seeks to provide an opportunity for students to enter a hands-on, face-to-face instructional program. Students will have different career opportunities based on their interests and lifestyle at the time of enrollment.

The baccalaureate degree program in Automotive Technology includes three collection of courses: technical coursework, general education coursework, and advanced courses. Acceptance in the B.S. degree will require students to complete an associate degree in Automotive Technology, Automotive Manufacturer Specific Program (Mopar CAP, Honda PACT, Toyota T-Ten, GM ASEP, etc.), or Diesel/Heavy-Duty Technology. 

Upper Division (300 level): Automotive Technology 300 level coursework is dedicated to lab-based, hands-on, and applied courses. These courses contain curriculum derived from Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. All courses in this section will include lab activities for hands-on instruction for a total of 29 units. Also included is one work experience class focused on employable technical skills.

Upper Division (General Education): The general education requirements will include three courses. One course was already approved with inclusion of the Paralegal Studies BA degree in a previous cycle. The approved course is Communication Studies 310: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. This course will fit well into the BS degree in Automotive Technology providing students with communication skills. Additionally, two new courses were developed aimed at technology-based disciplines to create opportunities for future bachelor’s degrees in technology focused disciplines. These courses are Environmental Studies (ENVR) 370: Environmental Impacts of Industrial Development and Computer Information Systems (CMPR) 380: SQL Technology.

Upper Division (400 level): Automotive Technology 400 level coursework is dedicated to professional skills needed for employment at original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and other various automotive facilities. These courses will include content focused on leadership, management, ethics, supply chain, dealership to manufacturer relationships, educators, and technical trainers in the transportation industry. One work experience course will be required in this section along with the senior capstone course where students will complete a culminating research assignment.

Santa Ana College is the only college in the district that offers a Bachelor's degree in Automotive Technology. 

Other California Community Colleges (Rio Hondo, DeAnza, Venture) offer similar programs in automotive technology, but none are the same or located in Orange County. This program will be the only B.S. degree in Orange County. Rio Hondo College is located in Los Angeles County with over ten community colleges that possess an automotive program. Orange County has five community colleges that offer automotive programs, with Santa Ana College being the most centralized. All four other community colleges in Orange County with automotive programs (Cypress, Fullerton, Golden West, and Saddleback) offer associate degrees in automotive, sufficient for a transfer to this proposed bachelor’s degree in automotive technology at Santa Ana College.

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