Student working under a car hood

Auto Collision Repair/Refinish

If you're looking for a rewarding career in the auto industry, SWCC's auto collision repair/refinish program is an excellent place to get started. SWCC's esteemed auto collision repair/refinish program is one of two programs in Iowa to have the ASE (The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)/NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) certification.  SWCC is the only program in the state to have the I-CAR PROLEVEL 1 & 2 certifications.  

SWCC's auto collision repair/refinish program is based on the I-CAR Enhanced Delivery curriculum with valuable hands-on experiences in the classroom.  Courses are taught by ASE-certified instructors who have platinum level I-CAR designations and an intense pride in their program. 

Students are trained in areas of panel straightening, refinishing, structural and non-structural repair, plastics repair, welding, mechanical repairs, and estimating.  Quality workmanship is the focus of SWCC's auto collision repair program.  The training allows students to become both ASE certified--refinish, non-structural, structural, and mechanical/electrical; as well as earn the I-CAR designations.

In addition, first year students may earn the following:

  • I-CAR Non-Structural Platinum ProLevel 1
  • I-CAR Refinish Platinum ProLevel 1

Second year students may earn:

  • I-CAR Non-Structural Platinum ProLevel 2
  • I-CAR Refinish Platinum Pro Level 2

A unique feature of the program--after two years of collision repair training you can return for one additional year of mechanical training and obtain a second AAS degree in automotive repair.  

SWCC students have placed extremely high in Iowa Skills USA and National Skills USA competition. In 2022, Lukas Moore, a May 2022 SWCC auto collision repair/refinish graduate, placed second nationally, receiving the silver medal in collision repair technology (post-secondary division); and in 2017, SWCC student Joel Hartstack of Corning, finished as a National Skills USA collision repair champion.

NOTE: This program is located on the Creston campus.

Awards Available

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a specialized degree that can be used for immediate entry into the workplace.  Emphasis is placed on competence of applying basic principles, theories, and occupational skills.  These are two-year programs.

A diploma is awarded upon successful completion of all courses in a career and technical education program of less than two years.

Certificate Icon Certificate 

A certificate is awarded following successful completion of a select group of career courses in a four- to six-month format.

Potential Careers

  • Collision repair technician
  • Refinish technician
  • Painters apprentice
  • Physical damage appraiser in the insurance industry
  • Manufacturer's sales/service representative
  • Body shop estimator

 
Want to find out more about the Auto Collision Repair/Refinish program? Get Information

  • CRR 301 Introduction to Collision Repair
  • CRR 101 Sheet Metal Welding
  • CRR 324 Sheet Metal Fundamentals
  • CRR 420 Non-Structural Repair
  • CRR 804 Introduction to Refinishing
  • COM 724 Employment Communications
  • CRR 743 Estimating
  • CRR 201 Plastic Repair
  • CRR 504 Frame and Unibody Damage Analysis
  • CRR 833 Refinishing II
  • CRR 361 Collision Lab I
  • CRR 835 Refinishing III
  • CRR 508 Structural Parts Replacement
  • CRR 362 Collision Lab II
  • ECN 115 Personal Finance
  • CRR 363 Collision Lab III
  • AUT 104 Introduction to Automotive Technology
  • AUT 404 Automotive Suspension and Steering
  • AUT 603 Basic Automotive Electricity
  • PHS 125 Physical Science (with lab)
  • CRR 364 Collision Lab IV
  • AUT 503 Automotive Brake Systems
  • AUT 652 Advanced Automotive Electricity
  • AUT 704 Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning

Click on the course number in the list above to view the course description. This may not be a complete list of courses that may be included for the Auto Collision Repair/Refinish program. To see all courses in a semester-by-semester plan, view the Auto Collision Repair/Refinish program course outline.

Download the program outline 

Degree requirement advising sheet

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • repair damaged vehicles to pre-accident condition.
  • comprehend the processes involved in auto collision repair and refinishing industry.
  • operate auto collision repair and refinish equipment.
  • possess an appropriate work ethic associated with the auto collision repair industry.
  • develop a repair plan for various auto collision damages.
  • exhibit appropriate customer/interpersonal relations.

Program Designations/Certifications

I-CAR Platinum-Level Designation - Instructor

I-CAR Gold Class Designation - Program 

ASE Certification

  • Refinishing
  • Non-Structural
  • Structural
  • Mechanical/Electrical
  • Estimating

Skills USA logoSkills USA Professional Member  

 

US Dept of Labor Occupational Profile for Collision Repair/Refinish Diploma - 49-3021

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