Are you a car lover? Would you enjoy learning how to repair, resurface, and paint vehicles using state-of-the-art equipment? If so, turn your passion for cars into a career with our auto body technology program!
Allan Hancock College’s auto body technology program will teach students to master the emerging technologies while using state-of-the-art equipment to repair collision damage, correct structural frame damage, prepare vehicle surfaces for painting, and perform spot and complete paint jobs. Courses are taught by industry professionals with real-world experience and prepare students to become entry-level body technicians with the math, reading, writing, and computer skills they need to succeed in the automotive body and paint repair field.
Graduates of the program are ready to secure jobs in the collision industry, including careers as detailers, paint preppers/polishers, painters, body technicians, quality control inspectors, estimators, and parts managers.
This program will help you to:
- develop, practice, and apply good work and safety habits while in the auto body workplace
- apply vehicle service information skills to evaluate major damage and implement repair procedures
- develop work skills, involving plastic filler application, metal finishing, frame alignment, MIG welding, and structural repair
- refinish vehicles using modern urethane paints and primers
- learn estimating processes used in the collision industry
- develop occupational skills including teamwork, work habits, ethics, and communication skills
Suggested Course Sequence
The “Suggested Course Sequence” is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
This course is designed to give students a basic knowledge of auto body metal repair, which includes metal finishing and plastic filler application.
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of automotive painting techniques. Course work includes preparation of vehicle, types of equipment, characteristics of paints, and techniques of paint application.
Courses that meet this requirement:
- Mathematics 100, 105, 121, 123, 131, 135, 141, 181, 182, 183, 184
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
9.5-14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 351
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of frame; measurement, straightening, and alignment. Course work also includes panel service, and structural panel replacement.
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:
Courses that meet this requirement:
- Administration of Justice 101, 103, 115
- Anthropology 102, 103, 105, 107
- Business 121, 141
- Communications Studies 100, 110
- Early Childhood Studies 100, 101
- Economics 101, 102, 121, 141
- English 105, 150, 151,152, 153
- Ethnic Studies 101, 107, 150, 151,152, 153
- Geography 102, 103, 105
- Global Studies 141
- Graphics 127
- LGBT 101, 102
- Physical Education 128
- Political Science 101, 104, 105, 110
- Psychology 101, 112, 113, 117, 118, 119, 121
- Sociology 101, 102, 104, 120, 122, 155, 160
Courses that meet this requirement:
- Ethnic Studies 121
- History 107, 108, 118, 119, 121
- Political Science 101, 103
Total Units:
16
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 353
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of major collision repair, including vehicle construction, estimating, MIG welding, door, roof, glass, chassis, and electrical service. Students will also develop their abilities to achieve commercially acceptable speed and quality levels in auto collision repair.
Select one course from the list below.
- American Sign Language 138
- Art 101, 103, 104, 105, 109, 170
- Communication Studies 108
- Dance 101, 110, 120, 130, 147
- Drama 103, 110, 111
- Early Childhood Studies 116, 123
- English 102, 106, 117, 118, 119, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 138,139, 140, 144, 145, 146, 148, 180
- Ethnic Studies 105, 120, 122
- Fashion 104, 105
- Film 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 122
- French 101, 102
- Graphics 127
- History 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 120, 138
- Humanities 101, 102, 103, 104, 105
- Library 180
- Multimedia Arts and Communication 101, 102
- Music 100, 101, 102, 104, 106
- Philosophy 101, 102, 105, 121, 122
- Photo 110
- Spanish 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 112
Courses that meet this requirement:
- Anthropology 107
- English 150, 151, 152, 153
- Ethnic Studies 101, 105, 107, 120, 121, 122, 150, 151, 152, 153
- Fashion 105
- Film 122
- History 120, 121
ALL courses in this category also fulfill the AHC Graduation Requirement: Multicultural and Gender Studies
Total Units:
14-16
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 356
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the application of preparing, masking, painting, and detailing techniques. Course work also includes restoring corrosion protection, plastic bumper repair, and custom air brush graphics.
Courses that meet this requirement:
- Anthropology 101, 110 (when taken in conjunction with 101)
- Astronomy 100
- Biology 100, 120, 124, 132
- Chemistry 110, 120
- Environmental Technology 101
- Food Science and Nutrition 110
- Geography 101, 115
- Geology 100, 111, 114, 115, 131, 141
- Physical Science 111, 112
- Physics 100
- Viticulture and Enology 102
Select one course from the list below to fulfill the requirements for both GE Area 7: Living Skills and AHC Grad: Health Education and Safety.
- Early Childhood Studies 102
- Emergency Medical Services 102
- Food Science and Nutrition 109
- Health Education 100
- Personal Development 101
Courses that meet this requirement:
- Communication Studies 100, 101, 102, 106
- English 103, 104
- Philosophy 112, 114
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
14
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 23 units is required for the degree. Required core courses (17 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
AB 351 | Auto Body - Metal | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 353 | Auto Body Repair | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 356 | Automotive Painting Techniques | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 358 | Automotive Refinishing | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 360 | Collision Repair | 5.000 - 0.000 |
Plus a minimum of 6 units from the following
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
AB 300 | Shop Math and Measurement | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AT 303 | Automotive Electricity | 5.000 - 0.000 |
AB 370 | SkillsUSA | 3.000 - 0.000 |
WLDT 106 | Beginning Welding | 3.000 - 0.000 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
This course is designed to give students a basic knowledge of auto body metal repair, which includes metal finishing and plastic filler application.
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of automotive painting techniques. Course work includes preparation of vehicle, types of equipment, characteristics of paints, and techniques of paint application.
Total Units:
6
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 351
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of frame; measurement, straightening, and alignment. Course work also includes panel service, and structural panel replacement.
Prerequisite: AT 100 Must take and pass the Lab Safety Test
Designed to give the student a strong background in basic automotive electricity and electronic concepts. Includes discussion and hands on practice with basic theories, operation, diagnosis, and service of the electrical, electronic, and computer control systems with an emphasis on preparing the student for professional certification testing.
Total Units:
8
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 353
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of major collision repair, including vehicle construction, estimating, MIG welding, door, roof, glass, chassis, and electrical service. Students will also develop their abilities to achieve commercially acceptable speed and quality levels in auto collision repair.
Total Units:
5
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 19 units is required for the certificate.
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
AB 351 | Auto Body - Metal | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 353 | Auto Body Repair | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 356 | Automotive Painting Techniques | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 360 | Collision Repair | 5.000 - 0.000 |
AT 303 | Automotive Electricity | 5.000 - 0.000 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
This course is designed to give students a basic knowledge of auto body metal repair, which includes metal finishing and plastic filler application.
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of automotive painting techniques. Course work includes preparation of vehicle, types of equipment, characteristics of paints, and techniques of paint application.
Total Units:
6
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 351
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of frame; measurement, straightening, and alignment. Course work also includes panel service, and structural panel replacement.
Prerequisite: AB 356
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the application of preparing, masking, painting, and detailing techniques. Course work also includes restoring corrosion protection, plastic bumper repair, and custom air brush graphics.
Prerequisite: AB 356
Projects selected by the student and developed under the direct supervision and of instructional staff in the auto collision disciplines. Work is completed under the supervision of the responsible instructor in the auto body lab. The student must have the basic knowledge of painting techniques to complete the project.
Total Units:
7
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: AB 353
This course is designed to increase student’s skill and knowledge in the areas of major collision repair, including vehicle construction, estimating, MIG welding, door, roof, glass, chassis, and electrical service. Students will also develop their abilities to achieve commercially acceptable speed and quality levels in auto collision repair.
Total Units:
5
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 15 units is required for the certificate.
Required core courses (15 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
AB 351 | Auto Body - Metal | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 354 | Selected Auto Body Paint Projects | 1.000 - 0.000 |
AB 356 | Automotive Painting Techniques | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 358 | Automotive Refinishing | 3.000 - 0.000 |
AB 360 | Collision Repair | 5.000 - 0.000 |
Programs you may also be interested in exploring:
- Automotive Technology
- Electronic Technology
- Machining and Manufacturing Technology
- Welding Technology
Contact Information
Administrative Assistant II
805-922-6966 ext. 3335
Department Chair
Saad Sadig
805-922-6966 ext. 3488
ssadig@hancockcollege.edu
Dean, Academic Affairs
Thomas Lamica
805-922-6966 ext. 3261
thomas.lamica@hancockcollege.edu
LOCATION
Santa Maria Campus
Bldg. O, Room 101
805-922-6966 ext. 3335