The Automotive Collision Repair Technology Program at College of Marin prepares students for entry as collision repair technicians and for numerous other related areas of the automotive and transportation industries.
College of Marin has over $9 million training environment for Auto Collision Repair, providing hands-on learning using the latest state-of-the-art shop equipment to prepare students for high profile employment opportunities in the automotive repair field.
Automotive collision includes instruction in dent repair, panel replacement and adjustment, window replacement and head light adjustments, rust removal and repair, paint, and estimating.
Automotive Collision Repair Options – What does COM Offer?
CLICK on the program award to view costs and required classes for each certificate and degree
Master Collision Repair Certificate of Achievement (42.0 units)
| Time to Completion (minimum): | 5 semesters |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees*: | $2175.00 |
| Estimated Books & Supplies*: | $0.00 |
Required Courses (42.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACRT 100 | Career Math/Resumes/Customer Service | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 101 | Basic Sheet Metal Operations for Auto Collision Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 102 | Introduction to Automotive Collision Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 103 | Nonstructural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 104 | Structural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 105 | Advanced Structural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 160 | Automotive Painting and Refinishing Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 161 | Automotive Dent and Damage Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 162 | Automotive Structural Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 163 | Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 201 | Automotive Paint: Waterborne, Clear Coat, and Detailing | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 202 | Automotive Paint: Three-Stage and Custom Painting | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 279 | Frame Straightening and Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MACH 106 | Metal Fabrication | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MACH 107 | MIG Welding for ACRT | ◻ | 2.0 |
Electric Vehicle Specialist Certificate of Achievement (25.0 units)
| Time to Completion (minimum): | 2 semesters |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees*: | $1303.00 |
| Estimated Books & Supplies*: | $0.00 |
Required Courses (25.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACRT 100 | Career Math/Resumes/Customer Service | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 101 | Basic Sheet Metal Operations for Auto Collision Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 102 | Introduction to Automotive Collision Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 103 | Nonstructural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 162 | Automotive Structural Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 163 | Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| MACH 106 | Metal Fabrication | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MACH 107 | MIG Welding for ACRT | ◻ | 2.0 |
| AUTO 111 | Automotive Maintenance - Intermediate | ◻ | 3.0 |
| AUTO 113 | Specialized Electronic Training | ◻ | 5.0 |
Master Collision Repair Associates Degree (60.0 units)
| Time to Completion (minimum): | 6 semesters |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees*: | $3096.00 |
| Estimated Books & Supplies*: | $1000.00 |
Required Courses (42.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACRT 100 | Career Math/Resumes/Customer Service | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 101 | Basic Sheet Metal Operations for Auto Collision Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 102 | Introduction to Automotive Collision Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 103 | Nonstructural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 104 | Structural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 105 | Advanced Structural Analysis and Damage Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| ACRT 160 | Automotive Painting and Refinishing Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 161 | Automotive Dent and Damage Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 162 | Automotive Structural Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 163 | Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair | ◻ | 1.5 |
| ACRT 201 | Automotive Paint: Waterborne, Clear Coat, and Detailing | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 202 | Automotive Paint: Three-Stage and Custom Painting | ◻ | 4.0 |
| ACRT 279 | Frame Straightening and Repair | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MACH 106 | Metal Fabrication | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MACH 107 | MIG Welding for ACRT | ◻ | 2.0 |
General Education (18.0 units)
See a Counselor.
* These expenses may not reflect your actual cost to attend College of Marin.
-Tuition cost is for in-state tuition, which is currently $46/unit plus additional fees. For out-of-state tuition, see marin.edu/paying-college.
-For information about opportunities for financial aid, please visit marin.edu/financial-aid
-For financial aid and enrollment questions, contact Enrollment Services at (415) 457-8811 Ext. 8822 or admissions@marin.edu.
Some classes may have prerequisites. Please meet with a College of Marin Counselor to plan your education path and determine which classes are necessary for you.
Career Outlook
What work can I get and how much can I earn?
JOB TITLE: Automotive Body Repairer
- Annual Earnings: $26,180 to $83,580
- What They Do: Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
JOB TITLE: Painter, Transportation
- Annual Earnings: 29,910 to $72,880
- What They Do: Operate or tend painting machines to paint surfaces of transportation equipment, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, boats, and airplanes. Includes painters in auto body repair facilities.
JOB TITLE: Automotive Glass Installer / Repairer
- Annual Earnings: $25,110 to $58,520
- What They Do: Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
To explore these professions in more detail or find out about other growing professions, visit onetonline.org.
Salary ranges reflect 10% to 90% of annual earnings per data sourced from Economic Modeling Specialists International (www.economicmodeling.com); data includes the North Bay Region (Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma) and San Francisco County.
Key Contacts
Who do I contact if I have questions?
PLAN: Call the Counseling Office at (415) 485-9432
OTHER QUESTIONS: Call COM's Career Programs Dept at (415) 457-8811 x8200
PROGRAM QUESTIONS: Call the Automotive Dept.
- Auto Collision Repair – Ron Palmer (415) 457-8811 x8532
- Auto Technology – Nick Fara (415) 457-8811 x8531
READY TO GET STARTED?
Why College of Marin for Auto Collision Repair?
- State-of-the-Art Automotive Facility: College of Marin has over $9 million invested in providing the most up-to-date training environment.
- Agency ASE Certification for technicians is included as part of the program, an important industry certification.
- Affordable: College of Marin classes are open to all and cost only $46 per unit for California residents. Financial aid and student support services are available to those who qualify.
- High-Quality Instruction for High Wage Industries: Career programs at College of Marin prepare students for high-wage and high-demand careers at a fraction of the expense of private programs. Our graduates enter the workforce having the ability to be innovative critical thinkers along with the comprehensive work skills needed to be connected directly to real-world needs. Our instructors are highly experienced industry professionals recognized as experts in their respective fields who understand their industry’s needs and trends.
- Small Class Size: Most classes have 10-22 students. This low student-to-teacher ratio allows instructors to work individually with students as needed while covering material in-depth.
- Accessible: Class meeting times and locations are convenient to the working student’s schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What else should I know?
Are there any pre-requisites?
No, there are no requirements or prerequisites. However, good working English is essential.
Can I take classes in the evening?
Yes, classes are available in the evenings, great for working students.
How do I get a high paying job in auto repair and technology?
- Going through the program and flourishing is what gets you a high paid job.
- The range varies greatly, typically $15-$30/hr for entry-level, can go up and is often commission-based. A top technician in a dealership will make over $100K/year plus benefits. Mid-level jobs typically earn $23-24/hr.
Can I work on my friends or (if I’m already working) a customer’s car?
No. Students are only allowed to work on school cars or their own car. COM has a very strict policy about this, due to liability concerns.
How do I get started?
To get started, you need to enroll at College of Marin and should meet with a career counselor (who can help you with planning your education, direct you to financial alternatives, and more!)
- See College of Marin Enrollment Services or Apply Online
- Contact a Counselor today at
- (415) 485-9432
- (415) 485-9430