DEGREE OVERVIEW

The Collision Repair and Insurance Management emphasis listed here is totally new degree option for the Automotive Technology Bachelor of Science degree.  This new option is a result of input from our National Advisory Committee and potential employers of our graduates.  The collision repair industry and the automobile insurance industry are experiencing a severe shortage of qualified technicians, estimators, adjustors, collision repair center managers, sales professionals, customer service professionals, etc. 

This degree option is intended for students who have a strong background in collision repair from their A.A.S. degree and from work experience.  We are predicting that students who will do well in this emphasis area will also possess interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.  Graduates with this degree option will be preparing for a career as collision center damage estimators, collision repair center managers, parts sales professionals, customer service professionals, insurance claims adjustors, insurance customer service professionals, etc. 

Although there are employment opportunities in your own home state, new or prospective students need to realize that some jobs require them to move to another state for employment.

Students in this program will be recruited for customer service and managerial training internship positions between their junior and senior years with a possibility of being hired upon graduation by the following industries:

• Automobile Insurance companies such as American Family, Farmers, State Farm, etc.
• National chain and independent collision repair centers such as Sterling Collision Centers, mega-dealership collision repair centers, etc.
• Heavy Duty Truck dealerships such as MHC Kenworth, etc.
• Automobile Auction Centers such as Manheim's Auto Auctions in their vehicle reconditioning programs.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) dealerships such as Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, etc.
• Government, state, county, city, and private vehicle fleets.
• Private and public schools or industries for technical training positions.

A double major or a minor in Technical Sales is also available and highly recommended for those seeking automotive technical sales and/or managerial positions for a career.  

• Minor requires 16 additional credit hours of school work
• Double major requires 23 additional credit hours of school work.

ONLINE CLASSES AVAILABLE

Several classes required for this degree are available online.