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

Associate of Applied Science Degree

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 certificate or diploma is a credential showing completion of a select group of courses that focus on job skills preparation in a 9– or 10–month format. These programs may be used toward completion of an AAS degree.

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

Sample Courses

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.