Automotive Technology
Auto Tech Info Sessions
Every other Thursday | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
At the Auto Tech Center (ATC)
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Are you a gear head who loves turning wrenches and fixing your own car? Do you have the mechanical aptitude to become a certified auto mechanic? Are you already in the auto-repair field and want to learn more?
Since 1978, GCC's Automotive Technology program has taught students from the casual, home-based auto mechanic to General Motors, Chrysler and Ford certified automotive repair technicians. You can study a single technical aspect of vehicle repair, or earn a degree that will launch a career at a shop or dealer.
Small class sizes allow for plenty of hands-on shop time with individual attention from instructors who spent careers in the automotive repair industry.
GCC automotive technology programs are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and evaluated by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).
General Automotive Program
The General Automotive program offers classes in both morning and evening schedules. The morning schedule is a fast track schedule called MAAP (Modular Accelerated Automotive Program) and typically runs from 5-6 hours a day 5 days a week and is designed for students attending full-time. The evening schedule typically runs 3.5 - 4 hours an evening 4 evenings a week and is designed for students wishing to attend college part-time. Students in this program can earn the AAS degree in Automotive or one or all of the automotive Certificates of Completion.
All of GCC automotive programs are Accredited by the ASE Education Foundation and students have the opportunity to earn industry entry level certificates while they learn. Access to a variety of top of the line industry tools/equipment, and a state-of-the-art facility combined with passionate, professional and industry certified faculty make Glendale the clear choice for automotive education in the west valley. The options are many; please make sure to meet with an advisor before choosing a course.
Take the Fast Track to Career Opportunities
The Ford ASSET, General Motors (GM) ASEP, and Chrysler MOPAR College Automotive Program (CAP) factory-sponsored programs focus on brand-specific automotive technology. Within the two-year program, students spend 8 weeks of each semester in the classroom, and the other 8 weeks in a paid internship at a dealership. Many students graduate with job offers in hand.
Follow the MAAP
In the MAAP, Modular Accelerated Automotive Program, students learn "bumper-to-bumper" technology and complete the Automotive Technology portion of the program in less than one year. Most classes are taught 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Classes prepare students for ASE testing, and credits transfer to ASU or the GCC associate degree program.
MAAP classes are the same courses that are taught in the regular A.A.S. degree program, on an accelerated learning schedule.
The typical MAAP schedule and courses include two, 5-week summer sessions, a 16-week Fall semester, a 16-week Spring Semester and one 5-week summer session.