About Collision Repair Technology

Students will be instructed in a series of I-CAR courses in Non-Structural ProLevel 1 and Refinishing ProLevel 1, the industry standard for collision repair training. Students graduate with a variety of nationally recognized Platinum certificates from I-CAR. This program aligns with collision repair businesses needing to hire employees to maintain or become I-CAR Gold Class Professionals. This program makes students proficient at entry-level tasks. Students also have the opportunity to become certified as ASE Master Technicians. The Collision Technology Repair program is dedicated to providing the most current and complete information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology provides you with comprehensive training and industry-recognized credentials for a successful career in collision repair.


What you’ll learn

  • Use collision repair tools and equipment safely and effectively.
  • Analyze the structural design of a vehicle and its reaction to an impact.
  • Repair damaged metal.
  • Refinish vehicles.
  • Install panels.
  • Repair frame damage. 

Sample Job Titles 

Auto Body Man, Auto Body Repair Technician (Auto Body Repair Tech), Auto Body Repairman, Automotive Body Technician (Auto Body Tech), Body Man, Body Technician (Body Tech), Collision Repair Technician (Collision Repair Tech), Collision Technician (Collision Tech), Frame Man, Refinish Technician (Refinish Tech)

Essential Skills Needed

This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.

Location
Thaddeus Sevens College Transportation Center

Type of program
Associate Degree

Job/Salary Outlook
See industry data

Length of program
2 years, 73 credits

Cost of program
$4,500/semester tuition
$3,105 – $3,623/semester housing
$1,915 – $2,417/semester meal plan

Tool List (PDF)

Program details

Courses

MODEL SCHEDULE FOR COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY

  • CORT 107 Details of Body Construction (4 credits)
  • CORT 111 Collision Repair Welding (4 credits)
  • CORT 116 Repairing Damaged Panels & Metalworking (4 credits)
  • MATH 126 Technical Math I or Higher (3 credits)
  • General Education Elective (3 credits)
  • CORT 156 Introduction to Refinishing Procedures (4 credits)
  • CORT 162 Panel Replacement, Adjustment, Corr. Protection (4 credits)
  • CORT 166 Introduction to Frame Alignment and Repair (4 credits)
  • ENG 106 English Composition (3 credits)
  • CIS 111 Intro to Computer Applications (3 credits)
  • CORT 212 Estimating Technology (4 credits)
  • CORT 222 Aluminum Technology (4 credits)
  • CORT 232 Non-Structural Technology (4 credits)
  • MATH 111 Business Math (3 credits)
  • ENG 216 Technical Writing (3 credits)
  • CORT 252 Steel Structural Technology (4 credits)
  • CORT 262 Refinishing Technology (4 credits)
  • CORT 272 Mechanical Technology (4 credits)
  • Science Elective (3 credits)
  • Humanities Elective (3 credits)

Additional General Education Requirements

  • Health/PE Elective (1 credit)

Total Credits 73

Faculty
Manny Ortiz, Instructor, Collision Repair Technology, headshot

Edwin Ortiz

Instructor, Collision Repair Technology, Second-Year Students, ’04
Jason Weiler, Assistant Professor, Collision Repair Technology, headshot

Jason Weiler

Assistant Professor, Collision Repair Technology, First-Year Students, ’04
Occupational Advisory Committee

The Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as a vital link between the Program of study and industry, ensuring that the program remains aligned with current workforce needs, technological advancements, and best practices in the field. Composed of employers, educators, and other community members, the committee provides guidance, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the curriculum, instructional methods, and student learning experiences.

Purpose and Responsibilities:

  • Curriculum & Industry Alignment
  • Workforce Readiness
  • Student & Faculty Support
  • Internship & Employment Connections
  • Accreditation & Program Evaluation
  • Facilities & Equipment Recommendations

By fostering a strong relationship between academia and industry, the OAC helps ensure that Thaddeus Stevens College programs maintain the highest standards in CTE (career and technical education). 

  • Gene Barton, Jr., Barton’s Body Shop
  • April Lausch, Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster
  • Michael Wright, Cox Automotive
A student in the paint lab of the collision repair technology program.

The outcomes speak for themselves

Graduates of this program work in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry and can also transfer into programs in nationally accredited universities.


Performance Measures

Internal Key Performance Indicators (Sources: Internal data collections, and Post-Graduate Surveys)

A bar graph showing retention rates for this program cohort from 2018-2021. 
2018: 83.3% 2019: 57.1% 2020: 88.9% 2021: 73.7%

Retention Rate

This rate reflects the continuous term-to-term persistence rate for certificate programs and the fall-to-fall retention rate for associate degree programs.

A bar chart showing graduation rates for this program for the following years.
2018: 79.2% 2019: 52.4% 2020: 55.6% 2021: 63.2%

Graduation Rate

This rate reflects the number of freshmen who were officially enrolled in the fall semester and earned a certificate or degree within the expected timeframe.


Post Graduate Survey Response Rate

The post graduate survey is an annual on-line post graduate survey utilized by the college to gather vital information regarding career placement, starting salary, and level of satisfaction.

A graph showing post graduate survey response rate for this program cohort from 2018 to 2022. 
2018: 100% 2019: 83.3% 2020: 72.2% 2021: 58.3% 2022: 100%
A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education from the following years. 
2018: 100% employed in major 
2019: 90% employed in major 10% unemployed 
2020: 84.6% employed in major 7.7% continued education 7.7% unemployed 
2021: 28.6% employed in major 28.6% employed non-major 14.3% continued education 28.6% unemployed 
2022: 66.7% employed in major 16.7% employed non-major 16.7% unemployed

Employed Full Time Outside of Major

Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time outside their field of study.

A chart showing graduate satisfaction for this program for the following years.
2018: 40% 2019: 71.4% 2020: 57% 2021: 100% 2022: 67%

Graduate Satisfaction

This is the median graduate survey response evaluating the level of preparation for workforce entry (based on a 5-Item Likert Scale).

A bar chart showing graduates who are employed full time outside of for this program for the following years.
2018: 100% 2019: 90% 2020: 92.3% 2021: 71.4% 2022: 83.3%
2018: 100% employed in major 
2019: 90% employed in major 10% unemployed 
2020: 84.6% employed in major 7.7% continued education 7.7% unemployed 
2021: 28.6% employed in major 28.6% employed non-major 14.3% continued education 28.6% unemployed 
2022: 66.7% employed in major 16.7% employed non-major 16.7% unemployed

Placement Rate

This is the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education on a full-time basis.

A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed full time within field of study from the following years. 
2018: 100% 2019: 90% 2020: 92.3% 2021: 42.9% 2022: 66.7%

Employed Full Time Within Major

Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time within their field of study.

A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents median annual salary from the following years. 
2018: $32,499.5 2019: $34,999.5 2020: $27,499.5 2021: $37,499.5 2022: $42,499.5

Annual Median Starting Salary

This number is based on the graduate survey response to the request to identify a starting salary from a range of options. This graph shows the median first-year annual salary. All calculations are based on the respondent’s self-reported first-year annual income.

A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents median hourly rate from the following years. 
2018: $15.62 2019: $16.83 2020: $13.22 2021: $18.03 2022: $20.43

Reported Hourly Rate

This number is determined by dividing the reported median salary by the number of hours in a traditional full-time work week (40), then the number of weeks in a year (52).

TSCT Collision Repair Technology student buffing out car with a mask on

Our graduates work with the industry’s best

Bush Collision Center logo
Keystone Volvo logo
Manheim Imports logo
Solar Innovations logo

Soar Agreement

This program enables students to apply certain credits earned in high school to the credits needed for a degree or certificate through Thaddeus Stevens College. The Collision Repair Technology degree qualifies for this program – see our SOAR program page for details!