Auto Body offers challenging and rewarding careers using both technical and artistic skills. Earn your auto body repair certificate in sheet metal repair and replacement from Minnesota State College Southeast to begin your auto repair career path.
The auto body sheet metal collision repair certificate from MSC Southeast will prepare you with the skills you need to succeed in the automotive industry. This diploma includes vehicle bodywork training with hands-on experience taught by industry-experienced instructors.
Major Details
In the 29-credit Auto Body Sheet Metal Repair and Replacement Certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast, you will focus your attention on the technical side of Auto Body Collision Repair. You will be trained in the most advanced levels of sheet metal auto body repair, including:
- Auto body disassembly/reassembly
- Preparing vehicles for structural straightening and parts replacement
- MIG welding of structural parts and full frame welding procedures
- Plastics and composites repair
- Contour correction, body filler materials, and paintless dent repair
- Body panel replacement procedures
With the collision repair certificate in sheet metal repair and replacement at MSC Southeast in Winona, students develop strong problem-solving skills through hands-on learning and classroom instruction. You will learn how to access and interpret product data sheets, service information, and estimating guides. Students have the opportunity to take the vehicle sheet metal repair coursework to earn I-CAR industry accreditation. Most importantly, you will work on real vehicles in our state-of-the art facility.
Auto Body Collision Technology is certified by the ASE Education Foundation (formerly NATEF). This makes Minnesota State College Southeast one of only a handful of auto body repair schools in the United States certified in the four major areas of Auto Body: refinishing, structural, non-structural, and mechanical/electrical.
Count on vehicle restoration job opportunities in several different specialties when you graduate with an auto body sheet metal repair and replacement certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast – our placement rate is 100%!
Apply now for admission to MSC Southeast
Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
ABCT1115
Introduction to Transportation Careers
Intro to Transportation Careers covers departmental procedures and practices as well expectations of the students in the programs. Safety, environmental concerns, and simulated Right to Know training are a significant part of the course. Basic tools, tool usage, basic power tools, and care of them are included. Threaded fasteners, drive types, torquing, thread compounds, cutting methods, gluing, and adhesives are covered from a generic point and not vehicle specific. (Prerequisites: none) (1 credits: 1 lecture/0 lab)
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1 cr
ABCT1125
Auto Body Welding 1
Auto Body Welding 1 focuses on welding of thin gauge sheet metal utilized for the outer body panels of vehicles. Welding will be performed in the flat, vertical, and overhead the purpose of heating and cutting operations. (Prerequisite or concurrent: ABCT1115) (2 credits: 0 lecture/2 lab)
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2 cr
ABCT1145
Auto Body Disassembly/Reassembly
Vehicle repairs require correct disassembly, damage assessment, and reassembly procedures to complement structural, body, and refinishing procedures. The need to document conditions prior to repair as well as at the completion of repairs is required as part of vehicle work files. Vehicles that have repairs performed need to be cleaned and detailed prior to delivery to the owner at the completion of repairs and the skills and techniques to do this are included in the course. (Prerequisite or concurrent: ABCT1115) (2 credits: 0 lecture/2 lab)
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2 cr
ABCT1155
Refinishing 1
Introductions to refinishing products, equipment, terminology, safety, corrosion protection, and product application are part of this course. The main focus will be the stages of refinishing that deal with repaired areas, bare metal, and the back side of these areas or panels. Primer surfacer work will focus on getting repaired areas leveled and free of imperfections through block sanding techniques. This course will prepare panels and build knowledge needed for Refinishing 2 which is top coat applications. This course is highly suggested prior to taking refinishing 2 but is not required. (Prerequisite or concurrent: ABCT1115) (2 credits: 1 lecture/1 lab)
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2 cr
ABCT1165
Sheet Metal Repair and Replacement
Outer body panel repairs and replacement procedures will be included in this course. Straightening techniques will focus on contour correction for use of body filler materials which are also part of the course. Paintless dent removal will be covered in theory and participants will be able to attempt to use the techniques. Body fillers will be completed so as to be prepared for application of primer surfacers. Body panel replacement procedures will be introduced and practice opportunities provided for adjustable sheet metal including doors, hoods, deck lids, hatches, slider doors and fenders. Welded on body panels including roof skins, quarter panels, and door skins will also be included. (Prerequisite or concurrent: ABCT1115, ABCT1125) (5 credits: 1 lecture/4 lab)
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5 cr
ABCT1245
Plastics and Composites Repair
The plastics and composites repair course provides opportunity to learn the identification of plastic and composite types and locations used on late model vehicles. Once identified repair methods available for each are presented with hands-on assignments using a variety of methods and materials available in the collision repair industry. Repairs are completed to the point of refinishing readiness. This course utilizes many resources located at various web based sights so that knowledge of future plastics and repair methods can be learned after completion of the course. (Prerequisite or concurrent: ABCT1115) (2 credits: 1 lecture/1 lab)
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2 cr
ABCT1275
Production Lab 1
This lab allows student to work with skills learned in earlier courses dealing with body repairs on customer vehicle projects. Skill development and refinement is focused on with the idea of moving toward decision making on repair methods and quality control of one's own body repairs. This includes disassembly/reassembly, metal straightening and finishing, body panel adjustments, and detailing of vehicles for customer delivery. Students will utilize references and Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.'s) to make decisions and confirm with instructor(s) so as to gain confidence with processes. (Prerequisite: ABCT1115 and 10 additional ABCT credits) (4 credits: 0 lecture/4 Lab)
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4 cr
ABCT1325
Auto Body Welding 2
The second welding course in the auto body program delivers information and hands-on practice of advanced welding methods for collision repairs. The MIG welding procedures will focus on structural parts and full frame welding procedures. Resistance spot welding techniques for late model collision repair are covered as well as silicon bronze welding using wire feed welders. Plasma arc cutting and induction heating procedures are included in the course. (Prerequisites: ABCT1115, ABCT1125, ABCT1165 (Prerequisite or concurrent: ABCT1345) (2 credits: 0 lecture/2 lab)
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2 cr
ABCT1345
Structural Repair
This structural course focuses on preparing vehicles for structural straightening and parts replacement. Vehicle anchoring systems are used to hold the vehicle for pulling procedures and are set-up following specifications and measuring system data. Measuring is a major emphasis in structural repairs and developing of repair plans as well as documentation of the repair process. With pulling and parts replacement completed corrosion protection and restoration is applied. Wheel alignment is a final step in the structural repair process to ensure drivability. Structural glass replacement concerns are addressed during the course as well. (Prerequisites or concurrent: ABCT1115, ABCT1125, ABCT1145, ABCT1165, ABCT1325) (3 credits: 0 lecture/3 lab)
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3 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 29 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $6,824 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | $2,050 |
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| Books/Supplies: | N/A |
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| Estimated Total: | $8,874 |
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Career Opportunities
- Auto Body Repair
- Damage Claims Writer
- Shop Manager/Owner
- Parts and Supply Industry
- Related Manufacturing
Career Information
Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, And much more in this career field.
Outcomes
Auto Body Collision Technology Program graduates will be able to:
- Perform body panel and minor structural repairs and parts replacement.
- Perform vehicle refinishing preparation, application, and paint detailing.
- Dismantle and reassemble vehicle body parts, trim, interior components, and non-structural glass.
- Demonstrate safe and professional work habits.
- Perform minor mechanical and electrical collision-related procedures.
- Assess a vehicle's damage and develop a repair plan utilizing service information.
- Using the written damage report, interpret the procedures for the repairs and check all replacement parts for correct matches to the vehicle and the damage report.
Highlights
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National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) certified program.
- Instructors are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.
- The program follows Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) recommended guidelines and offers the students the opportunity to gain I-CAR course credits.
- The program is continually upgraded to maintain the latest technology used in industry.
- 70% of coursework is hands-on in a lab setting.
- You will enjoy the opportunity of a broad career range within the auto body/collision repair and related fields.
Instructors
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Brandon Boynton
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Auto Body Collision Repair instructor Brandon Boynton is ASE Master Certified in Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing and holds multiple certifications through various vehicle manufacturers as well as through I-CAR, the industry standard in continued education. As a successful technician coming out of the industry, he brings a wealth of fresh ideas to the classroom and lab, bringing out the best in his students and pushing them to create a work ethic that partners with the skills they develop in the program. He hopes to share his passion for the Auto Body industry with his students, knowing that they will be able to take pride and satisfaction from performing repairs that align with vehicle manufacturer standards.
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Thomas Brandt
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Tom Brandt is ASE Master Certified in Auto Collision Repair as well as Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collison Repair (I-CAR) trained. He has worked in the auto collision industry for several years and has continually upgraded his training since he started teaching for Minnesota State College Southeast. Tom feels the best way to learn the trade is to be provided the opportunity to get involved in repairs. His students gain skills thorough hands-on experience and quality coaching from the instructor.