student mechanic working on a car

Automotive Technology Advising Information

Whether you're just beginning your journey in the automotive industry or looking to advance your skills, the Automotive Service Technology program at COD offers hands-on training and technical knowledge needed for success. The program is accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation (ASEEF) and prepares students for careers in diagnosing, servicing, and repairing modern vehicles—from traditional engines to hybrid systems. 

Contact an advisor, learn more about enrolling, explore course listings, and more—be sure to register early, as classes fill quickly.

Steps to Enrollment

Complete the steps to enrollment to become a new student at COD and to enroll in the Automotive Service Technology program. If you have questions about your next step in the enrollment process, contact an Admissions and Outreach representative.

Entry Level Automotive Service Certificate

The Entry Level Automotive Service Technology certificate is designed to prepare students for an entry-level career in the automotive field. Students will learn foundational knowledge and skills in order to diagnose, service, and maintain today's sophisticated vehicles. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be prepared to take several of the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) tests.

Class Recommendations

We recommend the following classes for each category based on your personal interests. While these aren't the only courses that meet the requirements, they are our top suggestions.

These recommendations are tailored for students planning to transfer to Southern Illinois University’s capstone baccalaureate program in Automotive Technology. For additional course options, visit SIU’s website and follow the on-screen instructions.

Communications

  • English Composition:
    English 1101 English Comp I
  • Oral: Speech 1100 Fund of Speech Comm

Physical and Life Sciences - Need One

Group 1

  • Physics 1100 Physics (preferred)
  • Earth 1101 Phys Geology of Earth Interior (Group II) Biology 1100 Survey of Biology Botany 1310 Ethnobotany Human Anatomy and Physiology 1-1551 

Group 2

  • Biology 1100 Survey of Biology
  • Botany 1310 Ethnobotany
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology 1-1551

Mathematics

  • Math 1116 Technical Math 2
  • Math 1218 General Education Mathematics

Social & Behavioral Science

  • Economics 2200 Principles of Economics
  • Political Science 1100 Intro to Political Sci
  • Psychology 1100 General Psychology
  • Sociology 1100 Intro to Sociology
  • Anthropology 1100 Cultural Anthropology
  • Geography 1100 Western World Geography

Humanities

  • Art 2211 History of Art
  • Pre history to 1300 Art 2212
  • History of Art 1300 to present
  • Art 2213 Modem and Contemporary Art
  • English 1130 Intro to Lit
  • English 1150 Short Fiction
  • English 1151 Novel
  • English 1152 Poetry
  • English 1153 Drama
  • English 1158 Bible as Literature
  • English 1159 Greek Mythology
  • English 1165 Literature and Gender
  • English 2220 British lit to 1800
  • English 2221 British Lit from 1800
  • English 2223 Amer Lit from Colonial to civil war
  • English 2224 Amer Lit Civil war to present
  • English 2226 Masterpieces of World Lit
  • English 2227 Modem European Lit
  • English 2228 Shakespeare
  • Humanities 1102 Intro to Humanities
  • Humanities 1105 Non-Western Humanities
  • History 1110 Wes tern Civ until 1600
  • History 1120 Western Civ after 1600
  • History 1160 World Civ since 1300
  • Philosophy 1100 Intro to Philosophy
  • Philosophy 1110 Ethics
  • Philosophy 1120 Logic
  • Philosophy 1125 Critical Thinking
  • Religious Studies 1100 Intro to Religion
  • Religious Studies 1110 Intro to the Bible (old test)
  • Religious Studies 1120 Intro to the Bible (new test)

Minimum Required Tool List

All students must have each item listed below to ensure readiness for hands-on training.

  • 1 Clear Safety Glasses (ANSI Z87 Approved) or prescription corrective glass with side shields
  • 1 Portable tool box—On campus tool locker size, 22 deep, 16 high, 13 wide
  • 1 Slip joint pliers
  • 1 Needle nose pliers
  • 1 Diagonal cutting pliers
  • 1 Standard Vise Grip pliers
  • 1 10 to 12 inch tongue and groove (channel lock) type pliers
  • 4 Standard screwdrivers (pocket, small, medium, & large
  • 3 Phillips screwdrivers (#1, #2, & #3)
  • 1 Combination wrench set - standard (1/4” to 7/8”)
  • 1 Combination wrench set - metric (7 to 19, 21, 22mm)
  • 1 1/4” drive ratchet 2 1/4" drive extensions (3” & 6”)
  • 1 1/4" drive socket set – standard (5/32” to 1/2")
  • 1 1/4" drive socket set – metric (6mm to 13mm)
  • 1 3/8” drive ratchet 2 3/8” drive extensions (3” & 6”)
  • 1 3/8” drive socket set – standard (3/8” to 7/8”) 6 pt. suggested
  • 1 3/8” drive socket set – metric (10mm to 19mm) 6 pt. suggested
  • 2 3/8” drive spark plug sockets (5/8” & 13/16”)
  • 1 1/2" drive ratchet 2 1/2" drive extensions (3” & 6”)
  • 1 1/2" drive socket set – standard (1/2” to 7/8”) 6 pt. suggested
  • 1 1/2" drive socket set – metric (13mm to 24mm) 6 pt. suggested
  • 1 6 inch steel scale (ruler) with division to 1/32”
  • 1 Feeler gauge (.0015” to .025”)
  • 2 Ball peen hammers (one 12 to 16 oz. & one 24 to 32 oz.)
  • 1 Gasket scrapper with changeable blade
  • 1 Tire pressure gauge, digital suggested
  • 1 Mechanic’s telescoping magnet
  • 1 Mechanics mirror
  • 1 Allen/Hex socket set – standard (3/16” to 3/8”) 1
  • Allen/Hex socket set – metric (4mm to 10mm)
  • 1 Set TORX sockets (#15, #20, #25, #27, #30, #40, #45, & #50)
  • 1 LED handheld/pocket flashlight
  • 1 16’ tape measure

Student Discounts

Snap-On and Matco Tools both offer discounts to COD students.

Snap-On

Jim Leiting
(414) 267-7010
email: James.C.Leiting@snap-on.com
Snap-On Website

Matco Tools

Paul Latsch
email: Paul.latsch@matcotools.com 
Matco Tools Website

Uniform Policy

To prepare for the workforce environment and learn to create a professional appearance that represents yourself as well as College of DuPage, students are required to be in uniform. Students not in uniform will be asked to leave class and it will be counted as an absence.

  • Gray COD Uniform Shirt
  • Long Work Pants (no sweatpants or shorts)
  • Hat – Optional (Only COD Automotive)
  • Work Shoes/Boots (No gym shoes or sandals)
  • Safety Glasses (Keep them with you at all times)
  • In Colder Weather, an additional shirt may be worn under your uniform shirt or only COD automotive jackets will be allowed in class. 

Shirts available in COD Bookstore or through Top Stitch.

Automotive Course Schedule

Automotive classes for the current semester can be found in the College's Course Catalog.

Automotive Pathways

Choose an automotive pathway to fit your interest.

Contact Information

Joe Aranki, Program Coordinator
Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1054
(630) 942–2534
Email: arankij@cod.edu

Peter Deeman, Program Advisor
Email: deemanp@cod.edu

Bridget McFarland, Program Support Specialist
Email: mcfarl@cod.edu

Business and Applied Technology Division
Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1034, (630) 942-2592