Automotive Service Technology

The Automotive Service Technology program is designed to prepare students to enter the automotive field at an entry level, with a basic knowledge of automotive repair and diagnostic skills. The program holds a current certification from the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation (ASEEF), and classes cover Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification areas.

Classes are offered on a consecutive schedule. The basic program covers 9 ASE certification areas in two sixteen-week terms and a five-week summer term. The five-week summer term includes a three-week internship program where students apply program knowledge in a real workforce setting. The program’s mission is to provide students with the appropriate training to obtain a quality entry-level position in the automotive field. Its objectives are to give students a basic knowledge of automotive tools and equipment and of ASE automotive areas, to instruct them in proper troubleshooting techniques, to introduce them to the daily duties in the automotive shop, and to introduce the scientific principles involved in automotive systems.

• The program holds a current certification from the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation (ASEEF).
• The summer term includes a three-week internship in a real workforce setting.
• NWTI’s Automotive Service Technology diploma is part of an articulation agreement with Northwest Arkansas Community College, which accepts up to 30 hours of elective credit toward an associate degree.

There is a shortage of skilled auto technicians locally and nationally, which means plenty of opportunity to earn a living wage that competes with the wages of many college degrees. With experience and certifications, employment in the automotive service field is possible anywhere in the world.

Northwest Technical Institute is open to all persons who have completed high school or its equivalent and meet required entrance test scores. Enrollment is not complete until the following have been received and reviewed by the school:

• Completed Application for Enrollment
• $10.00 Application Fee
• Official transcripts of high school credit and graduation and/or GED scores, and official transcripts of previous post-secondary education
• Accuplacer® or ACT® exam scores (taken within the last three years). A $10.00 fee is assessed before taking the Accuplacer exam at NWTI.
• Immunization records

Federal Student Aid and Northwest Technical Institute reserve the right to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school diploma if the institution or FSA has reason to believe that the diploma is not valid or was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education. Due to limited space in certain programs, students may be required to complete an admissions interview as part of the selection process.

Minimum entrance scores. Students applying to Automotive Service Technology, Diesel Truck Technology, Electronics and Automation Technology, Information Systems, Industrial Maintenance and Ammonia Refrigeration Technology, and Welding Technology must submit minimum scores from one of the approved exams: ACT® Reading Comprehension 10 and Math 16, or Next Generation Accuplacer® Reading Comprehension 224 and Arithmetic 222 (or Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics 220).

Immunizations. Act 141 of 1987 requires that full-time students born on or after January 1, 1957 provide NWTI with two immunization records dated after the first birthday against measles and rubella, or an authorized waiver (religious or health reasons only) signed by the appropriate official.

Students who apply for Automotive Service Technology must have a valid driver’s license by the application deadline.

Selection process. Applicants must have a completed application packet and a valid driver’s license by the application deadline. Instructors will schedule an interview for each applicant. Once all applicants have been interviewed, notification letters are sent: acceptance letters explain the next steps to enroll; alternate letters notify applicants that they may be contacted should an accepted applicant be unable to attend; denial letters notify applicants of their denial for enrollment in the automotive program, and the NWTI admissions department will then contact these individuals to determine alternative educational opportunities.

Classes meet Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 3:00pm. The program runs two semesters and one summer term. The suggested schedule places Engine Performance I, Auto Electrical I, Engine Repair, Powertrain Systems, Technical Communications I and Technical Mathematics I in Semester I; Brake Systems, Steering & Suspension, Auto Electrical II and Engine Performance II in Semester II; and Heating & Air Conditioning and the Internship in the summer.

Application enrollment dates. Fall enrollment runs February 1 – May 31 and spring enrollment August 1 – November 1, with semester starts in fall 2026 and spring 2027.

2026-2027 calendar. New Student Orientation is August 10 and the fall semester begins August 17, 2026 (ending December 14). Spring orientation is January 12 and the spring semester begins January 19, 2027 (ending May 17). The summer semester runs May 19 – June 23, 2027, with graduation on June 24. For financial-aid purposes the academic year is two 16-week semesters and a 5-week summer term.

Estimated cost. The estimated cost of the program, including in-state tuition, fees, books and supplies, is $7,545. An entry-level toolset is required to be purchased by the student; prices on tools vary by manufacturer, and this cost is included in the published program cost.

Tuition. For 2026-2027, diploma-program tuition is $85.00 per credit hour in-state and $90.00 per credit hour out-of-state. Fees include a $10.00 application fee, and per-semester administrative ($75), facilities ($75), student support ($170) and technology ($140) fees for full-time students. Automotive program fees are a $200 textbook fee (fall), a $210 lab fee (fall and spring), a $75 uniform fee (fall and spring), and a $100 summer lab fee and $50 summer uniform fee.

Financial aid. The Financial Aid Office administers Title IV funding, the Pell Grant, as well as state aid programs; federal aid may cover school expenses, including tuition and fees, books, and supplies. To determine financial need, complete the FAFSA — NWTI’s school code is 014044. The Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be paid back. NWTI chooses not to take part in the Federal Direct Loan program; students interested in an alternative loan can apply for the Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan® for Career Training.

Paying your bill. Payments are due the first day of class each semester, but NWTI allows students up to the census date (11th day of class in fall and spring, 5th day in summer) to pay or arrange payment. In extenuating circumstances, a Tuition Installment Plan may be granted for fall and spring, with a 25% down payment. Arkansas citizens aged 60 or older are exempt from tuition for credit courses.

Refunds. Diploma tuition is refunded 100% before the first class meeting, 75% during the first week, 50% during the second week, and not after the second week.

An NWTI Automotive Service Technology graduate is qualified for a variety of job positions, including:

• Automotive Technician
• Brake Specialist
• Service Advisor
• Parts Counter Specialist
• Engine Performance Specialist

With experience and certifications, employment in the automotive service field is possible anywhere in the world.

Associate degree pathway. NWTI does not offer associate degrees, but Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) will accept up to 30 hours of elective credit toward an Associate of General Studies or an Associate of Applied Science from this NWTI diploma once the diploma is completed.

Students begin with engine performance, electrical systems, engine repair and powertrain work, then move on to brakes, suspension and steering, and computer-controlled electrical and engine-management systems. Course work covers 12-volt electrical systems including basic theory and service of hybrid vehicles, internal engine repair and rebuild with an introduction to high-performance and racing engines, antilock brakes and stability control, alignment, automatic climate control, fuel injection, emissions and On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II).

Internship. Students can fulfill the internship by participating in a cooperative work program in an automotive setting that allows supervised application of the theories taught in class.

Academic requirements. Students must maintain a 2.0 or greater grade in all classes; students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 may be placed on academic probation.