Program Details Page Autobody Repair and Refinishing Certificate & AAS

Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Autobody Repair and Refinishing Certificate & AAS program! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information is subject to change, please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September) and Spring (April)

How long is the program?

4 quarters (14 months) with 72 credits for the certificate
6 quarters (up to 22 months) with 92 credits for the AAS degree

When do classes meet? 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays

Are summer classes required? Yes. You cannot complete the certificate or degree without attending classes during summer quarter (July and early August).

You will learn the skills needed in the automotive collision repair industry: damage repair, mechanical components, electrical systems, plastics, adhesives, painting, and refinishing. You use state-of-the-art tools and equipment within one of the most modern training facilities in the nation. This program articulates with TechPrep programs through the Puget Sound Dual Credit Career Consortium.

All classes follow recommendations of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) at ProLevel 1.

What does an autobody repair technician do?

What is the average salary?

$59,940 annually in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most autobody repair technicians earn at least $40,930; there is a wide salary range.

Who can I contact for questions?

New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Autobody Repair & Refinishing.

(Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

Personal protective equipment ($410 for professional safety glasses, ear protection, face shield, welding helmet, and gloves)
Shop tools (download the autobody tool list)

You can expect to spend between $2,500 and $3,000 for quality, professional equipment. You may be able to borrow some tools while you are a student at RTC.

Minimum class grades

You must pass each class with a grade of 1.0 or higher, and you must have an overall or cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Materials Warning

If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

Key Course Icons (learn more)

green means the class has expensive materials red means the class has lots of assignments purple means the class has a lot of technical vocabulary orange means the class has complex content blue means the class moves at a fast pace gold means that this is the most challenging quarter in the whole program

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Fall

Quarter 1

Fall Start

[Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $3,190**
**Description:** You will learn the fundamentals and foundations of autobody repair and refinishing, including safety procedures, painting, and tools.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
ABDY 100	Introduction to Collision Repair	YES	2
ABDY 102	Surface Preparation and Masking	YES	5
ABDY 105	Paint Application I	YES	5
ABDY 111	HAZMAT, Personal Safety, and Refinish Safety	YES	3
ABDY 243	Auto Detail	YES	3
INDS 101	First Aid/CPR & AED	NO	1

Quarter 2

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,981**
**Description:** You will apply welding to auto repair and prepare for an I-CAR certification. You will also take cars apart and put them back together, with a focus on aligning panels and understanding how collisions affect different auto systems. Your human relations class teaches you healthy relationships between professionals and clients.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
ABDY 112	Welding for Autobody Repair	YES	6
ABDY 114	Autobody Construction I	YES	9
ABDY 116	Autobody Plastics	TBD	5

Quarter 3 lots of assignments complex content fast pace

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,320**
**Description:** You will learn how to repair exterior damage with tools; hammer and dolly techniques; and body fillers. You also practice heat and cold shrinking for contouring. Finally, you learn to evaluate damages, review reports, and develop reasonable repair plans.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
ABDY 161	Math for Autobody Repair	NO	1
ABDY 101	Estimating	NO	1
ABDY 123	Straightening Metal	YES	5
ABDY 232	Impact Analysis and Repair	TBD	2
ABDY 234	Autobody Construction II	TBD	2
ABDY 235	Door and Quarter Panel Replacement	TBD	8

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,831**
**Description:** You will identify, and refinish plastics and composites used in late-model vehicles, and you replace an outer door and quarter panel. You continue building your skills to install and align autobody parts and glass. You also learn to communicate effectively with managers, customers, and other technicians.
**It's time to apply for your certificate!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
ABDY 128	Autobody Structure and Mechanics	NO	7
ABDY 129	Communication for Autobody Repair	NO	1
ABDY 280	Human Relations	NO	1
ABDY 250	Collision Related Mechanical Repair	NO	3

Estimated Cost for Your Certificate of Completion: $14,732
($11,732 for tuition, fees, and protective equipment, plus $3,000 for all tools)

You can continue with Quarter 5 and Quarter 6 to earn your AAS degree.

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,600**
**Description:** You will take two General Education classes. One must be in mathematics; the other can be any General Education class you choose. Recommendations are included below.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
AMATH 175	Financial Math (recommended)	NO	5
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business (recommended) or another General Education class	varies by class	5

Quarter 6

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,600**
**Description:** You will take two more General Education classes in your last quarter. One must come from the Communication or Humanities distribution area, and the other must be a social science class. Recommendations are included below.
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COMP 100 or CMST& 220	Applied Composition or Public Speaking or other communications or humanities class	varies by class	5
ANTH& 106	American Mosaic or other social science class	varies by class	5

Estimated Cost for Your AAS Degree: $17,932
($14,932 for tuition, fees, and protective equipment, plus $3,000 for all tools)

Spring

Quarter 1

Spring Start

[Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,518**
**Description:** You will learn how to repair exterior damage with tools; hammer and dolly techniques; and body fillers. You also practice heat and cold shrinking for contouring. Finally, you learn to evaluate damages, review reports, and develop reasonable repair plans.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
ABDY 101	Estimating	NO	1
ABDY 123	Straightening Metal	YES	5
ABDY 232	Impact Analysis and Repair	NO	2
ABDY 161	Math for Autobody Repair	NO	1
ABDY 234	Autobody Construction II	NO	2
ABDY 235	Door and Quarter Panel Replacement	NO	8

Quarter 2

[Summer] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,831**
**Description:** You learn how to identify, and refinish plastics and composites used in late-model vehicles, and you replace an outer door and quarter panel. You continue building your skills to install and align autobody parts and glass. You also study ways to communicate effectively with managers, customers, and other technicians.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
ABDY 128	Autobody Structure and Mechanics	YES	7
ABDY 129	Communication for Autobody Repair	NO	1
ABDY 250	Collision Related Mechanical Repair	NO	3
ABDY 280	Human Relations	NO	1

Quarter 3

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,886**
**Description:** You will learn safety procedures, auto painting, and industry tools.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
ABDY 100	Introduction to Collision Repair	YES	2
ABDY 102	Surface Preparation and Masking	YES	5
ABDY 105	Paint Application I	YES	5
ABDY 111	HAZMAT, Personal Safety, and Refinish Safety	YES	3
ABDY 243	Auto Detail	YES	3
INDS 101	First Aid/CPR & AED	NO	1

Quarter 4

[Winter] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,981**
**Description:** You will apply welding to auto repair and prepare for an I-CAR certification. You will also take cars apart and put them back together, with a focus on aligning panels and understanding how collisions affect different auto systems. Your human relations class teaches you healthy relationships between professionals and clients.
**Note: Completion of this quarter guarantees a certificate of completion**
**It's time to apply for your certificate!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
ABDY 112	Welding for Autobody Repair	YES	6
ABDY 114	Autobody Construction I	YES	9
ABDY 116	Autobody Plastics	TBD	5

Estimated Cost for Your Certificate of Completion: $14,626
($11,626 for tuition and fees plus $3,000 for full equipment and tools)

You can continue with Quarter 5 and Quarter 6 to earn your AAS degree.

Quarter 5

[Spring] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,600**
**Description:** You will take two General Education classes. One must be in mathematics; the other can be any General Education class you choose. Recommendations are included below.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
AMATH 175	Financial Math (recommended)	NO	5
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business (recommended) or another General Education class	varies by class	5

Quarter 6

[Summer] Quarter 6 Course Information
**Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,600**
**Description:** You will take two more General Education classes in your last quarter. One must come from the Communication or Humanities distribution area, and the other must be a social science class. Recommendations are included below.
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COMP 100 or CMST& 220	Applied Composition or Public Speaking or other communications or humanities class	varies by class	5
ANTH& 106	American Mosaic or other social science class	varies by class	5

Estimated Cost for Your AAS Degree: $17,825
($14,825 for tuition, fees, and protective equipment, plus $3,000 for all tools)

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