Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Automotive Mechanics
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at LSCS, TCC, HCC, and Central Texas College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Laredo Community College, South Texas College, El Paso Community College, and Southwest Texas Junior College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Lee College, Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, and Eastfield.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Central Texas College, Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, Texarkana College, and HCC.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, TSTC Harlingen, Kilgore College, and TSTC West Texas.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at TSTC West Texas, Lamar State Port Arthur, TSTC Waco, and Del Mar College.
Working as a Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic in Texas
Automotive service technicians and mechanics use their knowledge of electronic, mechanical, computer, and fuel systems of vehicles to repair engines. They depend on their experience and computerized testing techniques to discover problems while repairing vehicles. The areas in which automotive service technicians and mechanics may specialize include engine repair, and suspension and steering. Read a detailed Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic job description and schools overview.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics may join the Texas Independent Automotive Association. The organization provides training to aspiring professionals.
State Requirements
There are no specific certificates or licenses that automotive service technicians and mechanics have to obtain to work in Texas.
To increase employability, automotive service technicians and mechanics may obtain voluntary certification from National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Brookhaven Community College • Farmers Branch, TX
Studying Automotive Technician (completion in 1983)
• 9/25/2011
"At the time it was about the only technician program around. I have been able to use the skills I learned there for my entire adult life and make a career from the knowledge I took from the college."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I am not sure the program is still in existence. I would definitely recommend it to anyone if it is still available. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | At the time it was a well-known facility. Many of my high school friends went there as well. |
| Program Quality | 10 | This local school was known for its training program. I do not know how well known it is now or if it still has the program. |
| Instruction | 8 | I do not remember the trainers well. I am sure it was an adequate training program. I have been able to use the skills I learned in the program for 25 years. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I worked and went to school, so the program was not very intensive with homework, etc. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I thought there was an appropriate blend of hands-on training and book work. The instructors were very knowledgeable and were able to instill in me enough information to obtain full-time employment with a car dealership. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I do not think it offers anything more than normal colleges. I was able to work and attend classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | At the time I'm sure it was an average school for what it was. There were not any "media" resources. |
| Social Life | 5 | I'm sure they had a great social program. I was married at the time and did not attend anything. |
| Placement Services | 1 | The placement program did not help me locate employment. I have never had contact with the placement program. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I do not have contact with the alumni program, nor have I ever had contact with them for a job placement program. |
Amarillo College • Amarillo, TX
Studying Automotive Performance And Troubleshooting (completion in 2005)
• 1/18/2012
"The only dissatisfaction I have is that I couldn't go four years, as it is a two-year school. Other than that, I am satisfied with Amarillo College."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Depends whether they are looking for local or nationwide career opportunities. I would recommend them for anyone seeking a local career. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | It is just a community college in a small city of 150,000 people, so I'm guessing it was more for local career opportunities. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The classes were very informative. The instructors were very informative as well. |
| Instruction | 9 | The teachers were very clear in their instruction. They also had a vast knowledge in the field they taught. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The difficulty was above average, as in fast-paced. But if you could keep up, then there was nothing to it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I would say for every 4 hours of book time, we had a 3-hour lab. The labs were very hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There are plenty of options on times for scheduling. I believe they even offer summer classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Included in your tuition is a tools fee, and the tools are high class. The shop has plenty of room and the computer training was excellent. |
| Social Life | I was not a part of any of the extracurricular activities. I was just there for class and then gone. | |
| Placement Services | When I was attending, there was no job placement, but I managed to do just fine on my own. |
Texas State Technical College • Waco, TX
Studying Automotive Technology (completion in 1995)
• 1/27/2012
"I felt it was a great value and a fantastic experience. The school provided great training."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The cost is lower than the corporate schools and the training is just as good, if not better. I think the slower pace is better for learning what you need to know. |
| Program Reputation | I have been out of school for a long time, so I do not know the current reputation. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | TSTC offered me excellent training at an extremely affordable price. They also had very affordable housing that allowed me to concentrate on school and live on campus with my family. |
| Instruction | 9 | Most of the instructors were experienced in their areas and in teaching nontraditional students. I was impressed by the knowledge of many of the instructors and what they offered me. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I did find it challenging. I was driven to do well there. Workload was more than manageable for the degree plan I chose. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We talked theory and did classroom assignments. 70% or more was hands on in the lab, working on cars. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | The class schedule fit my schedule, but what I was majoring in did not have distance learning available, nor do I believe that they could have done it that way, due to the hands-on nature of the learning. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I had plenty of access to various resources and facilities and I found them more than accommodating. |
| Social Life | 7 | It wasn't well organized at the time and I didn't have many options for social activities. |
| Placement Services | I did not use the college's job placement service. I had a goal for a particular place I wanted to work after graduating and was immediately hired by that company. | |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I did not receive much information regarding the alumni network. I also did not receive support, but I did receive requests for money. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.