About the Program

The Automotive Body Technician Diploma program is designed to expose students to all facets of the auto body industry: unibody and frame, computer estimating, damage analysis, refinishing and major structure repair. This diploma prepares students to meet the collision industry’s expectations of a quality entry-level technician. In addition to these core concepts, the general education courses required will help ensure that students have the necessary oral, written, and critical thinking skills to help with their professional responsibilities. They will:

  • Create custom modifications using modern welding, sanding, masking, and creative painting techniques
  • Assess, estimate, repair, and refinish a wide range of vehicles
  • Operate the same advanced metal fabrication and collision repair equipment as automotive professionals

Interested in a career in Auto Body Technology? Sign up for a shop tour.

Program Orientation

All new students to the ABOD program are required to attend a Program Orientation. The dates and times for this are provided below. You must attend a College Orientation and be registered for the program prior to attending a Program Orientation.

If you have questions regarding the program or any of the information listed, please contact a program instructor.

Please attend a Program Orientation at your earliest convenience. The program orientation is a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of the program (e.g. program policies and procedures, tool requirements, textbook, online learning, etc.).

Dates:

  • Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 3:00 pm
  • Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 3:00 pm
  • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 3:00 pm
  • Friday, August 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Program Orientation Location:

East Campus, Room E1621

Important Information:

Please check your e‐mail on a regular basis for important communications. The program orientation will take approximately 1.5 – 2.0 hours to complete.

Instructor Contact Information:

Mark Larson (mark.larson@century.edu)

Planning for Your Program

Cost & Financial Aid

  • Graphic showing the cost per credit of college courses in Minnesota. Century College is significantly less.

    As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

    Financial Aid

    Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs quality for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College's Federal School Code is 010546.

    Scholarship Opportunities

    Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Ready to get started?
Apply today

Transfer

Image of student working with a hammer.

Potential Job Titles

Student sanding the exterior of a vehicle.
  • Automotive Body Repairers
  • Vehicle Painters

Salary Data

Automotive Body Repairers
Average Wage: $27.55/hour
Top Earners: $43.70/hour

Vehicle Painters
Average Wage: $27.08/hour
Top Earners: $43.07/hour

Information gathered pertains to seven county metro area - careerwise.minnstate.edu