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JALC.EDU

Auto Collision Technology – AAS Degree

Programs

Auto Collision Technology

Associate in Applied Science

The Automotive Collision AAS degree program will provide you with all the fundamentals you will need to enter a career in the auto collision industry. Using ICAR curriculum, you will learn the latest procedures for repairing late-model vehicles, while also picking up many techniques for performing restoration and custom repairs in this hands-on program. Through classroom instruction and hands-on training, you will learn foundational knowledge in the collision repair industry; basic structural damage repair; analyze damage on vehicles post-accident and return vehicles to pre-accident condition. Students will also work on live collision repair projects that will fully prepare them for the auto collision industry.

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What You Can Do

Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.

Jobs

  • Body Technician
  • Frame Technician
  • Automotive Painter
  • Detailer
  • Wrap/PPF/ Tint Installer
  • Body Shop Manager
  • PDR Technician
  • Paint Representative
  • Custom Car Painter
  • Restoration Specialist
  • Airplane Painter
  • Product Representative
  • Industrial Painter
  • Boat Repairer/Painter
  • Prepper
  • Disassembly/Assembly Technician
  • Product Trainer
  • Estimator
  • Insurance Adjuster

Earning Potential

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Automotive Body and Glass Repairers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-body-and-glass-repairers.htm (visited July 23, 2023)

Modes of Instruction
Learn more about the modes of instruction offered at John A. Logan College.

Program Details

ACT 2004

FIRST YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

ORI 100College 1011
MAT 100Math for Applied Tech3
ACT 101Introduction to Collision Repair7
ACT 111Welding for Collision Repair2
ACT 121Plastic and Composite Repair2
AST 282Automotive HVAC3
18

FIRST YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

ACT 151Structural Damage Repair9
ACT 161Damage Analysis1
ACT 180Detailing2
ACT 181Paint Protective Film2
ELECTIVEIAI Social and Behavioral Science Elective3
17

SECOND YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

ACT 201Non-Structural Repair2
ACT 211Refinishing2
ACT 221Advanced Collision Repair Lab I4
AST 283Brakes, Steering, & Suspension II3
AST 180Electrical I3
ENG 113Professional Technical Writing 13
17

SECOND YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

ACT 251Advanced Collision Repair4
ACT 261Advanced Collision Repair Lab II5
COM 115Speech3
ELECTIVEIAI Physical/Life Science3
15
Total Hours for Degree67

Earn your Hybrid/EV Credential

With these two additional courses you can earn a short-term certificate:

AST 201Hybrid Safety (Online) 22
AST 202Hybrid/EV (Summer) 25

The Auto Collision Technology Program is a minimum of 67 credit hours. Please use our Tuition and Fees page to calculate your approximate cost.

*Students will be responsible for additional classroom materials and tools.

Official John A. Logan Bookstore Apparel, Merchandise & Gifts

Additional Costs for This Program

Required Tool List:

JOHN A. LOGAN AUTO BODY SHOP BASIC TOOL LIST

TOOLS & SUPPLIESAPPROXIMATE COST
Safety glasses!!! – CLEAR NOT TINTED$5.00
Good half mask Charcoal Respirator (ex. SAS PN 2661-50)$25.00 – 60.00
2 Sets nitrile reusable gloves (ex. SAS PN 6534)$6.00 each
3 Boxes of disposable nitrile gloves$15.00 each
Disposable N95 particle respirators – 5 pack$6.00
Sanding block kit (ex. Dura-Block AF44A)$50.00-85.00
Hand sanding pads, (2)soft and (2)firm (ex. 3M 5526 & 5530)$5.00 each
1 Filler mixing board-tear-off sheets$15.00-20.00
1 Set filler spreaders$5.00
1 Air blow gun$7.00
Welding gloves$10.00
Small tool box$40.00 – 80.00
6-Piece combination screwdriver set$15.00 – 30.00
3/8 Drive ratchet set with metric 5 – 19 &
standard sockets 1/4 – 3/4		$40.00 – 100.00
Plier 10″ slip joint, needle nose & wire cutter$15.00 – 25.00
Combination wrenches standard and metric$15.00 – 50.00
Hammer & dollies – starter set$20.00 – 35.00
Razor blade holder and putty knife$10.00
5 Pack of Sharpies$5.00
Tape measure, 60”, thin with metric and standard$5.00
Scissors & exacto knife$8.00
1 Spray gun kit with different sizes of tips, 1.3 & 1.6 or 1.8
*Stick to Name Brand spray guns*		$200.00 and up
Welding helmet, auto-darkening$50.00
These items should not be purchased until you have met with instructor for specific description.
We use Industrial Interchange air couplings in the shop and High-Flow couplings in the booths. You will need one for your blow gun and a high flow for your spray gun.

The ACT program uses ICAR certified curriculum. Upon program completion, students that have met ICAR standards can take the ICAR Non-Structural and Refinish Level 1 tests in order to obtain their first ICAR credentials. Students are also encouraged to take the ASE Student Certification Tests for Collision Repair. Neither are required.

  1. Students will display safe working practices while working in the auto collision lab. This includes wearing proper PPE while using tools, operating equipment, using collision related products, and performing tasks needed to repair vehicles.
  2. Students will demonstrate proper welder set-up while performing various welding techniques used in the collision repair field.
  3. Students will be able to analyze damage found on a vehicle after an accident and be able to develop a plan for repair.
  4. Students will perform various repairs on a variety of materials found on today’s automobiles, including: plastic, composite, steel, aluminum, and various other materials.
  5. Students will display skills needed to identify and inspect paint damage, as well as, perform the operations to repair and/or remove the damage on modern automotive paint surfaces.
  6. Students will understand the importance of following OEM recommended procedures, as well as, being able to locate the procedures for proper repair of the vehicle and the calibration procedures for ADAS and related systems.
  7. Students will demonstrate proper techniques in preparation for, and application of various undercoats and topcoats of automotive refinishing products.
  8. Students will perform the necessary steps to detail the interior and exterior of a vehicle.
  9. Students will practice the skills needed to prepare, install, and care for an automotive wrap, PPF, and window tint.
  10. Students will display the skills needed to perform basic mechanical operations of a vehicle’s HVAC, steering, brakes, and electrical systems.

Automotive Faculty Contact

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Jason McFarland

Associate Professor – Auto Collision Technology
Associate Professor – Automotive Service Technology

Email: jasonmcfarland@jalc.edu
Phone: (618) 985-2828 Ext. 8375
Office: V30A

  1. Requires a grade of “C” or higher. ↩︎
  2. Although this class is recommended, it is not required for graduation from this program and therefore is ineligible for Title IV financial aid funding. ↩︎