Skills USA is a nationwide organization; it is also a club at College of Western Idaho. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to enhance their technical and leadership skills. In Skills USA, college students can...
CWI Automotive Technology
Program Exploration Event
Interested in a career in Automotive Technology? Join us on April 24 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center in room 139A/B to:
- Learn more about this program, and meet the faculty.
- Meet industry leaders, and hear about career opportunities.
- Understand how education in this career field benefits you.
- Get tips on how to prepare for a successful start.
- Take a tour of the lab space and technology.
Overview
If the sound of an engine makes your heart race, CWI’s Automotive Technician program is calling you. Technicians will tell you the best education gives you a wealth of experience. This is what makes our program so unique. In the first year, you will learn all auto systems, including brakes, fuel injection, electronic controls, automatic transmissions, scanning equipment, and onboard diagnostics, as well as the latest computer systems. Your second year is all about experience. You will learn on the job.
MANUFACTURER AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS:
Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Automotive Service Excellence
New Students
In addition to the New Student Orientation, you participate in as part of the college application process, you must attend a program orientation prior to registering for the Automotive Technology courses.
Sign up to receive information about upcoming program orientation dates. Program Orientation Dates
If you have questions about the program, please contact JohnD Thompson at johndthompson@cwi.edu.
Mission
The Automotive program has teamed up with NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation) (MAST) and the Ford Motor Company. In the first year of the program, a student may become a Ford Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) Certified Technician. In the first year, students will learn about maintenance and light repair, electrical/electronic systems, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, brakes, suspension and steering, and the tools and techniques to diagnose and repair the modern vehicle. The second year covers engine performance, automatic transmissions/transaxles, heating and air conditioning, the use of scan tools, lab scopes, and other state- of-the-art diagnostic tools.
Finally, the Internship is where students may have the opportunity to work in an industry repair shop—making their dream a reality.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Maintenance and Light Repair
- Electrical/Electronic Systems
- Engine Repair
- Manual Drivetrain and Axles
- Brakes
- Suspension and Steering
- Engine Performance
- Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
- Heating and Air Conditioning
Clubs
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Automotive Technology - Associate of Applied Science Degree
2
YEARSAAS
Automotive Technology - Intermediate Technical Certificate
1
YEARITC
Maintenance and Light Repair - Basic Technical Certificate
1
YEARBTC
Explore the resources below for information, dates, and deadlines related to admissions, financial aid, registration, and next steps.
Dates & Deadlines for Credit Programs | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins 1 | N/A | Apr 10 | Nov 13 (2023) |
Open Registration Begins | Feb 27 | Apr 17 | Nov 20 (2023) |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | Jul 29 | Dec 16 (2023) |
Admission Deadline 2 | May 27 | Aug 12 | Jan 6 |
Last Day to Register for Classes | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Tuition and Fees Due | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Classes Begin 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 21 | Jan 16 |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time.
2 The Admission Deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines.
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the specific class session sections beneath the full Academic Calendar for more information.
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Mechanical aptitude
- Manual dexterity
- Computer Literacy Skills
- Good reading, writing, and math skills
- Willingness to work in a dirty, greasy, and potentially hazardous environment
- Ability to lift heavy objects
- Ability to evaluate and make decisions
- Ability to work accurately
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
If you have questions about any of this information, please contact One Stop Student Services or your Advisor.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
The automotive industry has undergone massive changes in recent years. Computers now control most automotive systems and the aspiring technician is taught to effectively identify, test, and repair these high-tech systems. The influx of technology is what makes an automotive career today more interesting, challenging, and rewarding than ever.
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Are you interested in learning more about careers and programs to help you get the job you want? If so, plan to attend one of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Program Exploration Events!

Congratulations to Automotive Technology program Shop Assistant, Dean Taylor, named CWI’s Staff of the Month for October 2021.

The Nagel Foundation scholarship empowers second-year career and technical education students to complete their education.

Thank you to all who attended CWI Night Feb. 28. Group ticket sales raised $925 for the SCORE Big Scholarship fund!

Congratulations to Bradley Dougal, a 2019-2020 Nagel Foundation scholarship recipient.

CWI swept away the competition with 37 medals at this year's SkillsUSA State Conference.
Career & Technical Education
- Administrative Specialist
- Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Cisco Networking and Security Technologies
- Collision Repair Technology
- Computer Support Specialist
- Cybersecurity
- Dental Assisting
- Drafting Technology
- Education, Early Childhood
- Fire Service Management
- Fire Service Technology
- Heavy Duty Truck Technician
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Horticulture Technology
- Law Enforcement
- Machine Tool Technology
- Marketing Communications
- Medical Administrative Support
- Medical Assistant - Credit
- Network and System Administration
- Nursing, Practical
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology
- Software Development
- Surgical Technology
- Swift Programming
- Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Welding and Metals Fabrication
- Wildland Fire Management