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
- develop occupational skills including teamwork, work habits, ethics, and communication skills
- identify estimating processes used in the collision industry
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.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the AHC graduation
requirement of area 4B: Communication and Analytical Thinking.
Recommended courses: MATH 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321; or select one course from
this list.
Choose one of the following courses:
- EMS 102, First Aid and Safety
- FSN 109, Basic Nutrition for Health
- HED 100, Health and Wellness
- HUSV 126, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Stress Reduction
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
12.5.-15
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:
ANTH 102, 103, 105; BUS 141; ECON 141; ENGL 105; GBST 141; GEOG 102, 103; LGBT 101, 102; POLS 104, 105; SOC 101, 102, 120, 122; SPCH 110
Or select one course from this list.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ES 1231, African American History
- HIST 107, U S History to 1877
- HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
- HIST 118, U S History to 1877
- HIST 119, History of California
- POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science
- POLS 103, American Government
Total Units:
16-18
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.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:
ART 101, 105, 109, 170; DANC 101p; DRMA 103; ENGL 130, 131, 139, 140, 148; ECS 116; FASH 104; FILM 101, 102, 103, 108, 109; HIST 101, 102, 103, 120; HUM 101, 102, 103; MUS 104, 106; PHIL 121; SPAN 102, 103, 104, 105, 112
Select one course from this list.
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.
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the AHC Math Competency requirement.
Recommended courses: MATH 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321
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:
15-16
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 |
| AB 353 | Auto Body Repair | 3 |
| AB 356 | Automotive Painting Techniques | 3 |
| AB 358 | Automotive Refinishing | 3 |
| AB 360 | Collision Repair | 5 |
Plus a minimum of 6 units from the following
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AB 300 | Shop Math and Measurement | 3 |
| AT 303 | Automotive Electricity | 5 |
| AB 370 | SkillsUSA | 3 |
| WLDT 106 | Beginning Welding | 3 |
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 |
| AB 353 | Auto Body Repair | 3 |
| AB 356 | Automotive Painting Techniques | 3 |
| AB 360 | Collision Repair | 5 |
| AT 303 | Automotive Electricity | 5 |
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 |
| AB 354 | Selected Auto Body Paint Projects | 1 |
| AB 356 | Automotive Painting Techniques | 3 |
| AB 358 | Automotive Refinishing | 3 |
| AB 360 | Collision Repair | 5 |
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Contact Information
Administrative Assistant II
Victoria 'Tori' Rivas
805-922-6966 ext. 3335
vrivas@hancockcollege.edu
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
