What is ASEP?
Weber State University is one of 80 schools in the United States with a General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) partnership. Weber State University was one of the first schools in the country to partner with General Motors Corporation in 1987 to offer the (ASEP) program to our automotive students.
The ASEP program is a two-year associate degree program with an emphasis in General Motors service technology. Students who complete this degree will work as service technicians in General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC) dealership or ACDelco TSS Service Center.
The GM ASEP process streamlines the path to becoming a certified service technician within a two-year period, where students alternate between formal classroom training and hands-on work experience in a General Motors Dealership Classroom instructors are trained by General Motors, and are in-tune with the latest trends in technology. GM provides new vehicles, training components, and aids for students to work on and learn from in a closely supervised and structured environment.
The GM ASEP program supports the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES). The GM ASEP program provides continued education and sponsorship opportunities to AYES students who choose to become ASEP college students.
Where and When Will I Work?
Students working on this degree will work as paid service technicians in one of the General Motors Dealerships or in one of the ACDelco TSS Service Centers in our assigned geographical area of Utah. Each student is required to complete at least 640 hours of supervised work experience (internship) at a dealership during their education at Weber State University.
- The first 320 hours of supervised work experience takes place during the last eight weeks of freshmen spring semester. The students will have already received training and hands-on lab experience in electrical/electronics, brakes, steering and suspension, and climate control systems before beginning their first internship. Most students begin work in a dealership as a lube rack technician, then after proving they are ready and qualified, move to other areas of automotive service working under an experienced General Motors technician mentor.
- During the summer break the students will work at the dealership until school starts again at the end of August.
- The last 320 hours of supervised work experience takes place during the last eight weeks of sophomore fall semester. The students will have already received training and hands-on lab experience in engine repair and engine control systems before beginning their second internship.
- During the sophomore spring semester, the students will receive training and hands-on lab experience in automatic transmissions and manual drivetrain systems. After graduation, the technician should be prepared to work on his/her own.
What Will I Learn?
General theory and basic information are given practical applications. Students learn how to identify problems, analyze them and apply solutions. Theory and practical application come together as students spend their work terms in an actual dealership, working on real vehicles for real customers. GM ASEP offers not only challenges, but also rewards!
Your primary instructor instructor is Joe Grundvig, a General Motors World-Class Master Technician and a Master ASE Technician. Other GM certified instructors will be utilized in the areas of automatic transmissions, manual drivetrain, steering and suspension, climate control systems, and brakes.
Your instructors will help you will prepare for a career as a General Motors service technician by providing training and hands-on experience in the following areas:
- Shop safety, and S/P2 hazardous waste handling, and pollution prevention practices curriculum.
- Electronic service information usage - GM Electronic Service Information.
- Theory, diagnosis, and operation in all eight NATEF automotive areas on a vehicle.
- A1 - Engine Repair - Sophomore Fall Semester
- A2 - Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles - Sophomore Spring Semester
- A3 - Manual Drivetrain and Axles - Sophomore Spring Semester
- A4 - Steering and Suspension - Freshmen Spring Semester
- A5 - Brake Systems - Freshmen Spring Semester
- A6 - Electrical / Electronic Systems - Freshmen Fall Semester
- A7 - Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning - Freshmen Spring Semester
- A8 - Engine Performance - Sophomore Fall Semester
- 900 hours of hands-on lab work on late model GM vehicles to practice and develop skills.
- Scan tool usage - GM Tech-2 and MDI.
- Developing diagnostic and trouble shooting skills with an emphasis on GM's common diagnostic process.
What Certifications Will I Prepare For?
- Every new student is now required to pass four of eight ASE exams to qualify for graduation. The ASE exams are given at WSU at the end of each of the four semesters.
- ASE Master Technician certification. ASE Test preparation guides are available on the ASE website.
- EPA clean air act amendment of 1990 (Section 609) Air-Conditioning Certification.
- Emissions inspection and maintenance certification where applicable.
- Utah safety inspection certification for Utah based students.
