Automotive Collision Repair - Program Overview

Your journey to becoming an auto body repair technician

Cars look great in showrooms, and they look even better on that first drive. Yet suddenly you have dings, scratches, dents, rust, cracks, crumples and shears.

You were made for this moment. Bring the damaged car into our state-of-the-art facility and let our expert instructors teach you how to analyze the problem, develop a repair plan and help you follow it through with your auto body repair skill and artistry. Under your care, an accident becomes just another chapter in the car’s on-going story.

Why study Automotive Collision Repair with us?

CLC offers precise pathways to the certificates and degrees you need to excel in your career working on cars. Choose to master the art and science of paint, the thinnest, most flexible layer of protection and expression. Or, analyze non-structural damage and carry out your plan of repair, working with the various metals, plastics and systems to restore the car.

Your instructors know you by name—not by number. They dedicate their careers to helping you learn and understand the daily work and standards of excellence for auto body work.

Highlights

  • Internships Available

    Learn and earn through structured on-the-job training.

  • I-CAR Credentials

    Qualify to earn industry-leading Inter-Industry Conference for Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) credentials.

  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn college credits and learn as you go with stackable credentials.

  • Career Certificate

    Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning a certificate in less than 1 year.

  • Career Degree

    Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning an associate degree in 2 years.

Career Degrees & Certificates

For degree-seeking students who want to start a new career or advance their current career.

Full-time students can earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science (A.A.S.) at CLC in two years. Gain job-ready skills from experienced instructors and work-based experience from apprenticeships and internships. Some of the courses can even earn college credits, which can transfer to a 4-year college or university to apply toward a bachelor's degree.

For certificate-seeking students who want to earn job skills for entry-level occupations or increase their career opportunities.

You can complete a certificate in less than two years. Many certificate programs include career degree courses, allowing you to stack certificates toward an A.A.S. degree.

Need help getting started?

Ask us for help. Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) will help you:

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

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*Estimated cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours for full-time students for academic year 2025-2026. This includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees, before financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials, and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about the Cost of Attendance.

Courses in the program

Build your foundation with core automotive collision repair courses. Then, mix in some electives that match your interests and goals.

Assess, assemble, repair, refinish

Discover the skills you'll learn in the automotive collision repair program at CLC. Picture yourself here:

Path to a satisfying career and secure future

Meet Joe, a CLC graduate who followed his heart into a satisfying career and a secure future for his family. "Going to the College of Lake County is still the best decision I ever made." Watch the video:

Meet our instructors

Experience the benefit of small class sizes and personalized instruction from your CLC instructors.

Department chairs


Faculty




What students say about CLC


  • Photo of Olivia Peterson refinishing a vehicle

    Olivia Peterson

    Graduate

    “I’m having so much fun now – and I’m finally in a situation where I can say, ‘I just want to be at work.’”

    Olivia studied Automotive Collision Repair at CLC. She holds master’s degrees in music and library science, but attended CLC to improve her job prospects. Her internship at an auto body repair shop led to a full-time career after graduating.

    Read Olivia's story

    Photo of Olivia Peterson refinishing a vehicle

Take the next step...


Be debt-free at CLC

CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.

Paying for college

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