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.

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

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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

In May 2021, the median annual wages for automotive body and related repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair	$47,450
Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance	46,910
Automobile dealers	46,720

In May 2021, the median annual wages for automotive glass installers and repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair	$38,000
Construction	37,940

For more information please visit the link below.

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)

Program Details

ACT 2004

FIRST YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

Dept.	No.		Hrs.
ORI	100	College 101	1
MAT	100	Math for Applied Tech	3
ACT	101	Introduction to Collision Repair	7
ACT	111	Welding for Collision Repair	2
ACT	121	Plastic and Composite Repair	2
AST	282	Automotive HVAC	3
			18

FIRST YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

Dept.	No.		Hrs.
ACT	151	Structural Damage Repair	9
ACT	161	Damage Analysis	1
ACT	180	Detailing	2
ACT	181	Paint Protective Film	2
		IAI Social and Behavioral Science Elective	3
			17

SECOND YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

Dept.	No.		Hrs.
ACT	201	Non-Structural Repair	2
ACT	211	Refinishing	2
ACT	221	Advanced Collision Repair Lab I	4
AST	283	Brakes, Steering, & Suspension II	3
AST	180	Electrical I	3
ENG	113	Professional Technical Writing¹	3
			17

SECOND YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

Dept.	No.		Hrs.
ACT	251	Advanced Collision Repair	4
ACT	261	Advanced Collision Repair Lab II	5
COM	115	Speech	3
		IAI Physical/Life Science	3
			15

OPTIONAL

Dept.	No.		Hrs.
AST	201	Hybrid Safety (Online)	2
AST	202	Hybrid/EV (Summer)	3

Total Hours for Degree – 67

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 & SUPPLIES	APPROXIMATE 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.

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.
Students will demonstrate proper welder set-up while performing various welding techniques used in the collision repair field.
Students will be able to analyze damage found on a vehicle after an accident and be able to develop a plan for repair.
Students will perform various repairs on a variety of materials found on today’s automobiles, including: plastic, composite, steel, aluminum, and various other materials.
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.
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.
Students will demonstrate proper techniques in preparation for, and application of various undercoats and topcoats of automotive refinishing products.
Students will perform the necessary steps to detail the interior and exterior of a vehicle.
Students will practice the skills needed to prepare, install, and care for an automotive wrap, PPF, and window tint.
Students will display the skills needed to perform basic mechanical operations of a vehicle’s HVAC, steering, brakes, and electrical systems.

Automotive Faculty

Jason McFarland
Associate Professor – Auto Collision Technology
Associate Professor – Automotive Service Technology
Over 30 years in the automotive industry
ICAR Certified
ASE Master Collision Repair Technician
ASE Auto Service Technician

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