Automotive Technology

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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: 

Career Opportunities

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 
  • ¼” square drive ratchet/socket set 
  • Two universal drives (1/2” and 3/8”) 
  • 5/8” spark plug socket 
  • 13/16” spark plug socket 
  • Combination wrench set (1/4” – 1 1/8”) 
  • Metric wrench combination set (6mm-22mm) 
  • Feeler gauge set 
  • Common screwdriver set 
  • Phillips screwdriver set 
  • Torx driver set 
  • Chisel set 
  • Punch set 
  • Ball peen hammer set 
  • Five pliers: common, wire cutter, needle nose, vise grip, slip joint 
  • Air blow gun 
  • Standard Allen wrench set 
  • Metric Allen wrench set 
  • Combination snap ring pliers 
  • Lock-ring pliers 
  • Gasket scraper 
  • Tire air pressure gauge 
  • Tire air chuck

You are required to provide your own work uniforms. You can order your uniform for our program here:

Order Form

Helping the Community

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. Learn more about our automotive technology program.
Man pointing under a car
Get your hands dirty in our hands-on learning environment with our expert instructors.
Man sitting in a car
Learn how to diagnose and correct problems with a variety of vehicles.
Car with open hood
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.

Office: Wharton Campus, LaDieu Building 101F
Phone: (979) 532-6548
Email: voulgarisd@wcjc.edu

Ronald "Bay" Potila

Instructor of Automotive Technology
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. 

Office: Wharton Campus, LaDieu Building 101F
Phone: (979) 532-6549
Email: potilab@wcjc.edu

Additional Program Information

SCANS Matrix 

 Thanks to our advisory committee, our students and curriculum are able to keep up with the new (and old) trends that our clients expect. 

  • Keith Cline Jeff Haas Mazda, Houston, TX
  • Tim Dufner Southwest Kia, Rosenberg, TX
  • Jim Farrar El Campo ISD, El Campo, TX
  • Gary Gensler WCJC Faculty (retired), Wharton, TX
  • Kyle Krempel Christian Brothers Automotive, Katy, TX
  • Larry Kuretsch El Campo High School Faculty (retired), El Campo, TX
  • Mike Rodriguez Phillips 66, Sweeny, TX
  • Theresa Salley Retired, Wharton, TX
  • Trey Viktorin Owner – Caney Auto, Wharton, TX
  • Mike Watson Owner – Boling Equipment, Boling, TX

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