Facilities
Modern Fully-Equipped Labs
Get hands-on experience in specialized labs using industry-standard equipment, just like you’ll see in the real world.
Automotive Service Technician
Certificate
About this program
At Penn College, a future is made by hand. And programs like the Automotive Service Technician certificate were designed to arm graduates with the hands-on skills that tomorrow needs the most. Like fixing cars and trucks, performing routine maintenance, and diagnosing complex malfunctions. When you dive into the Automotive Service Technician Certificate program, you’ll takeaway a specialized skillset that will have you real-world ready in just four semesters.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
Careers
- General auto technician in a dealership
- Independent garage
- Fleet operation
- Service station
- Self-employment
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Introduction to Automotive Technology (AMT100)
- Manual Transmission & Transaxle Principles (AMT111)
- Brake Systems (AMT112)
- Steering & Suspension (AMT113)
- Automotive Electrical Fundamentals (AMT109)
- Fundamentals of Automatic Transmissions (AMT119)
- Engine Principles (AMT122)
- Engine Electrical Systems (AMT127)
- Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology (AMT267)
- Engine Performance (AMT236)
- Engine Repair (AMT266)
- Vehicle Safety Inspection (AMT242)
- Automotive Chassis & Wheel Service (AMT243)
- Automotive Air Conditioning Systems & Service (AMT274)
- Electrical/Electronic Accessory Service (AMT276)
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
Your Path
Automotive Degrees
Interested in a career in automotive? Explore the possibilities with students Shawn and Mark. In this video, they’ll show off the labs, explain the various degree options, and talk about the ease of leveling up from certificate to associate’s to bachelor’s.
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Related Programs
Follow your passion
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
Penn College Motorsports Association
The club activities offer members exclusive exposure to the racing industry with tours of performance shops and opportunities to test their driving ability by participating in track days, autocross, and other driver skill events.
SkillsUSA
Participation in SkillsUSA gives students a chance to compete in more than 80 national competitions.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
04.24.2024
Automotive student recognized by the Piston Foundation
The Piston Foundation recently featured Pennsylvania College of Technology student Zachary A. Wiernusz, of Mountain Top, on its blog. The foundation – an independent public charity that helps young car enthusiasts gain access to education and training to begin careers as classic car technicians – awarded Wiernusz a Piston Scholarship.
04.23.2024
Yesterday meets today in collision repair class
Five collision repair technology graduates from 2012 offered career insights to today’s students during a recent visit to the Collision Repair Operations class taught by Eric. D. Pruden, instructor of automotive technology. John Brungard, Derek Finkenbinder, Patrick McTague, Jacob Wood and Chad Zepp shared their career paths with the students.
04.22.2024
Penn College excels at Green Grand Prix
A dedicated group from Pennsylvania College of Technology posted a strong showing at the 2024 Toyota Green Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York. The contingent – consisting of 10 students from the Penn College Motorsports Association and two faculty members – earned several awards at the recent event, held at the Watkins Glen International race course.
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
At Penn College, the world is your classroom. Soak in the global experience by taking part in our study abroad program where you’ll study in Italy’s exotic car repair shops.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Automotive students, faculty compete in ‘Green Grand Prix’
Members of the Penn College Motorsports Association participated in the 15th annual Toyota Green Grand Prix, which promotes innovation in sustainable transportation technologies while launching the season-opening weekend at New York’s renowned Watkins Glen International racetrack.
More Information
Master Automobile Service Technology accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
- View the Automotive Required Tools
You are required to have a uniform for lab classes. It is recommended that you purchase three uniforms.
Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
- Mr. Joey A Fleck, Competency Based Teacher Education Coordinator, The Penn State University
- Dr. C. William Garner, Retired, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University
- Mr. Patrick McCormick, Retired, Ford Motor Company
- Mr. Anthony J Piccari, '08, Aftersales Department, Ferrari North America, Inc.
- Mr. David K Plessinger, Owner, Economy Auto Parts
- Mr. Carlo Santora, '08, '09, Technical Manager, Eastern US, Maserati North America
- Dr. Mark D Threeton, Assistant Professor, Workforce Education, The Pennsylvania State University
