Ready to kick-start your career in the automotive industry? Our Automotive Technology
program offers hands-on training in all automotive maintenance and repair, including
engine work, electrical systems, brakes, the proper use of tools, diagnostic equipment,
and technical manuals. The program is based on Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
standards and prepares you for the ASE certification tests. After completing the program,
you can find a rewarding career as an entry-level Automotive Technician.
Program Details
Learn more about our Automotive Technology program and find course descriptions in
the WCJC Catalog.
Academic Map
Earn your A.A.S. degree in Automotive Technology in two years or your certificate
of completion in Auto Tech in 10 ½ months as a full-time student on our Wharton Campus.
To be successful in this program, you must enroll in all of the Automotive Technology
courses each semester according to the academic map and maintain a 2.0 GPA. Review
the courses for each semester in the Academic Map:
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be prepared for the Automobile
Service Excellence (ASE) certification, which will allow you to obtain an entry level
position as an Automotive Technician.
Find more information, including wages and education requirements, on Career Coach.
Program Requirements
Automotive Technology Certificate Tuition/Fees
Tuition/Fees In-District: $4848
Tuition/Fees Out-District: $7044
Automotive Technology A.A.S. Tuition/Fees
Tuition/Fees In-District: $8060
Tuition/Fees Out-District: $11,720
Estimated Additional Costs
Uniform Shirts: $20/each
Tools: $1000
Work Boots: $80
Textbook: $340
It is your responsibility to provide your own hand tools. You must have a sufficient
quantity and quality of tools to perform average vehicle repairs without regularly
borrowing from other students or faculty. Here is the list of tools you’ll need to
purchase for our program:
Safety glasses
Tool Box
Rechargeable Flashlight pocket size
12v electrical test light
Digital volt-ohm meter
Electrical test leads and/or jumper wires with quick connectors
½” square drive ratchet/socket set (3/8” – 1 1/8”)
½” drive metric socket set (10mm-28mm)
½” drive flexible hinge handle
Three ½” drive extensions: 2”, 6” and 10” in length
3/8” square drive ratchet/socket set (5/16” – 7/8”)
3/8” drive metric socket set (6mm-22mm)
Four 3/8” drive extensions: 2”, 4”, 6” and 10” in length
Our automotive technology students work on automotive projects - great and small.
Have a project for our students? Make an appointment by calling 979-532-6548 or emailing voulgarisd@wcjc.edu.
Get your hands dirty in our hands-on learning environment with our expert instructors.
Learn how to diagnose and correct problems with a variety of vehicles.
Take a look under the hood and discover the inner workings of automotive excellence
in our dynamic Automotive Technology program.
Meet the Faculty
David Voulgaris
Program Director and Instructor of Automotive Technology
Mr. Voulgaris has been an automotive instructor with Wharton County Junior College
since 2019 and became the director of the program in fall 2023. He holds an A.A.S.
in Automotive Technology from Texas State Technical College and is an A.S.E. Master
Certified Technician along with G1 and L1 Certifications.
Mr. Potila began instructing with the automotive program in 2023. He is a retired
U.S. Marine, having served 20 years in our armed forces, and holds both a Certificate
and an A.A.S. in Automotive Technology from Wharton County Junior College.
Thanks to our advisory committee, our students and curriculum are able to keep up
with the new (and old) trends that our clients expect.
Hannah Barbeau, MCV Services, Hungerford, TX
Jim Farrar El Campo ISD, El Campo, TX
Gary Gensler WCJC Faculty (retired), Wharton, TX
Larry Kuretsch El Campo High School Faculty (retired), El Campo, TX
Julie Leggett, Wharton Ford, Wharton, TX
Nick Pierce, Wharton Chevrolet, Wharton, TX
Mike Rodriguez Phillips 66, Sweeny, TX
Theresa Salley Retired, Wharton, TX
All career and technical education opportunities at Wharton County Junior College
follow policies of nondiscrimination offered without regard to race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, or disability including those with limited English proficiency.
For information, see the Public Notice Regarding Career and Technical Education Programs. *In addition to Wharton County Junior College Admission criteria, students must comply
with additional program specific admission criteria, where applicable.
Todas las oportunidades de formación profesional y técnica en Wharton County Junior
College se rigen por políticas de no discriminación y se ofrecen sin distinción de
raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad, incluyendo a personas
con dominio limitado del inglés. Para más información, consulte el Aviso Público sobre Programas de Formación Profesional y Técnica. *Además de los criterios de admisión de Wharton County Junior College, los estudiantes
deben cumplir con criterios de admisión adicionales específicos del programa, cuando
corresponda.
