Choose this program to prepare for a rewarding career as an automotive service technician or mechanic. Occupational choices are extensive in this specialized field; you could work as an automatic transmission, brake, engine performance, or electrical specialist.
If you’re looking for a program that provides a wide range of high-demand skills you’ll use with employers such as automotive dealerships, auto rental companies, federal and local government repair shops, and fleet maintenance businesses, then check out Automotive at BTC!
The entry point for the Automotive Technology program is fall quarter. You must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable to enroll in this associate degree and certificate program.
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
83% BTC graduate placement rate1
$37,918 starting annual wage2
$48,381 average annual wage2
$61,214 potential annual wage2
This program admits students once a year, in the fall quarter.
Prior to enrolling in program classes, students are required to submit the following documentation to the Admissions & Advising Office:
Copy of your valid Driver's License (with no restrictions due to driving offenses);
Current complete 3-year driving record from Washington State DOL. This copy of your driving record will be kept on file for advising purposes only.
You are required to maintain a valid driver's license as long as you are enrolled in this program;
Many employers and internship providers in this field will only hire applicants who have a clean driving record;
Driving records (abstracts) can be obtained for a fee. It is the responsibility of the applicant to pay for and order their driving records. You may obtain a copy of your current "Abstract of Driving Record" at your local Department of Licensing or by accessing the Washington State Department of Licensing;
A renewed copy of your valid driver's license (with no restrictions due to driving offenses) may again be required at the start of your second year in the program;
All General Education courses must be completed prior to the beginning of the 2nd year.
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
Program Application Form: Core Program Entry Packet
TRANS 101 | Basic Transportation Service & Systems 101 | 5 CR |
TRANS 102 | Basic Transportation Service & Systems 102 | 5 CR |
TRANS 103 | Basic Transportation Service & Systems 103 | 5 CR |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 CR |
MATH& 107 | Math in Society | 5 CR |
AUTO 104 | Engines Light Mechanical | 7 CR |
AUTO 105 | Engines Major Mechanical | 5 CR |
AUTO 106 | Applied Engines Technology | 6 CR |
AUTO 151 | Electricity/Electronics | 2 CR |
CMST& 210 | Interpersonal Communications | 5 CR |
AUTO 107 | Brakes | 6 CR |
AUTO 113 | HVAC | 4 CR |
AUTO 122 | Basic Drive Train | 4 CR |
AUTO 161 | Steering and Suspension | 6 CR |
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 CR |
Note: Five (5) credits from AAS-T Acceptable Transferrable Courses List in Humanities, Social Science or Natural Science. |
AUTO 219 | Field-Based Experience I | 12 CR |
AUTO 229 | Field-Based Experience II | 5 CR |
AUTO 255 | Electricity/Electronics 2 | 7 CR |
AUTO 265 | Engine Performance 2 | 3 CR |
AUTO 250 | Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles | 7 CR |
AUTO 259 | Field-Based Experience III | 5 CR |
AUTO 260 | Manual Transmission/Transaxle | 3 CR |
AUTO 275 | Engine Performance 3 | 11 CR |
AUTO 279 | Field-Based Experience IV | 5 CR |
See instructor regarding alternative options for AUTO 229, AUTO 259 and AUTO 279. |
Electives | 15 CR |
Requirement is to complete THREE of the Field-Based Experience or Shop Practicum classes listed below. NOTE: The Field-Based Experience courses are already reflected in the quarterly distribution of classes above. |
AUTO 229 | Field-Based Experience II | 5 CR |
AUTO 259 | Field-Based Experience III | 5 CR |
AUTO 279 | Field-Based Experience IV | 5 CR |
AUTO 291 | SHOP PRACTICUM 1 | 8 CR |
AUTO 292 | SHOP PRACTICUM 2 | 8 CR |
AUTO 293 | SHOP PRACTICUM 3 | 8 CR |
After successfully completing this program, students will be able to:
About 78% of BTC Automotive students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual income in this field is $46,675, with an earning potential of about $60,299 per year.*
BTC’s General Automotive Repair and Vehicle Service Technician certificates prepare graduates to work in entry-level automotive positions like lubrication, tire, and muffler service positions.
Most program graduates work as automotive service technicians. In larger shops, positions have become increasingly specialized. Opportunities for specialty positions include automatic transmission specialist, brake specialist, engine performance specialist, front end specialist and electrical specialist.
Potential places of employment include automotive dealerships, independent service garages, federal and local government repair shops, rental industry, service stations, specialty shops, tire and service industry, and fleet maintenance.
Dan Beeson has been an Automotive Technology instructor at Bellingham Technical College since 1996. He has more than a decade of hands-on experience as an Automotive Technician and is currently an ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician with an Advanced Engine Performance Specialist certification. Dan received his apprenticeship training in the San Jose, California area and became a journeyman automotive technician in 1988. He worked primarily for GM dealerships in California and Washington, eventually reaching the level of Chevrolet Master Technician specializing in drivability, fuel injection, and electronics troubleshooting. In addition, Dan has worked as a trainer with Snap-On Training and Clark College.