Meeting a high benchmark…Del Mar College’s Automotive Applied Technology Program receives ASE Training Program Accreditation
Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation’s endorsement acknowledges quality training that area employers expect, gives students advantage by completing college’s ASE accredited program
Article by Melinda Eddleman
On July 24, De Mar College (DMC) Automotive Applied Technology majors demonstrated why the college recently received the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation’s Training Program Accreditation. The accreditation runs through May 1, 2030.
Enrolled in the Engine Repair and Automotive Engine Performance Analysis class this summer, the 10 students showed off their hands-on skills using Consulab trainers to practice diagnostics system testing in a controlled lab setting as well as applied other skills on actual fleet vehicles for assessment to ensure they can perform real-world automotive service and repair tasks that meet ASE standards.
The need for skilled automotive technicians and mechanics continues to grow and will exceed 60,000 nationally by 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Locally, the Coastal Bend region shows high demand among employers to fill these positions in part due to a growing population generating increased vehicle registrations, along with a growing number of experienced technicians retiring from the field, according to Paul Creacy, Del Mar College (DMC) Interim Chair of the Architecture, Aviation and Automotive Department.
These trends make workforce-ready training programs like Del Mar College’s Automotive Applied Technology Program critical to regional economic development. One key factor that industry employers across the country and in the Coastal Bend region look for when hiring is ASE certification.
ASE accreditation acknowledges that a training program meets industry-recognized standards for quality and prepares students for successful careers in the automotive service field. The accreditation ensures students’ training aligns with the skills needed for ASE certification testing.
In a letter from the ASE Education Foundation, President Mike Coley stated, “We compliment you for attaining the level of excellence recognized by the ASE Education Foundation. Both the educational and automotive communities should be proud of your commitment to [offering a] quality automotive training program.” The foundation also sent a plaque.
“Employers recognize ASE accreditation as a mark of quality and consistency, increasing the employability and earning potential of our graduates,” said Creacy. “It confirms that our students are trained on up-to-date vehicles, technologies and diagnostics and have been taught by instructors with real-world expertise.”
Creacy also noted, “Our students are employed across a wide range of dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet services and government agencies.” Examples include AutoNation, General Motors, Hicks Automotive and Mike Shaw dealerships; the City of Corpus Christi’s Fleet Services; the Nueces County Maintenance Department and the Corpus Christi Independent School District’s Transportation Department, among others.
To become ASE certified, individuals must meet certain qualifications and pass a series of online tests, including those covering brakes, steering/suspension, engine repair, electrical systems, heating/air conditioning and automatic transmissions. The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE for short, conducts testing at Prometric Testing Centers across the country in a controlled environment with a certified proctor, and ASE certification is directly awarded to applicants who successfully complete each test. The Corpus Christi Prometric Testing Center is located at 6001 S. Staples.
DMC Automotive Instructor Duane Beadle said, “We encourage our students to take exams at the appropriate time as they complete relevant courses.”
On average, the DMC Automotive Applied Technology Program serves 20 to 30 students per semester with approximately 5 to 10 graduating annually, earning either Level 1 or 2 Certificates or their Associate of Applied Science degree. Creacy says these numbers are steadily increasing as the program continues to expand its dual credit offerings to high school students and engages in outreach and recruiting events at their schools.
In the Corpus Christi area, the typical starting pay for entry-level automotive technicians is between $16 and $20 per hour. Experienced ASE certified technicians earn $25 to $35-plus per hour depending on their specialization.
t’s not easy to achieve and requires meeting over 100 strict criteria, staying current with evolving automotive technology and maintaining a clean, safe and effective learning environment. However, our students benefit directly from this level of excellence, and we’re proud to set the standard for hands-on technician training in South Texas.
To become an ASE accredited program, the process is rigorous and comprehensive. Over several months, DMC faculty and staff compiled and submitted documentation covering the following:
- Curriculum alignment with ASE standards,
- Instructor credentials and ASE certifications,
- Advisory committee feedback and industry input,
- Facility, tool and equipment inventory,
- Student learning outcomes and job placement rates, and
- Classroom safety procedures and lab practices.
Additionally, an on-site evaluation was conducted by a team of industry professionals who verified that the program met national benchmarks in all required areas.
This process not only validates the quality of our instruction but also helps us maintain a cycle of continuous improvement and industry alignment. Earning ASE accreditation places Del Mar College’s Automotive Applied Technology Program among a distinguished group of institutions nationwide and reflects the dedication of our faculty and the strong relationships we’ve built with industry partners. Most importantly, this accreditation gives our students a competitive edge and lets employers know they’re job-ready from day one.
To learn more about DMC’s Automotive Applied Technology Program, learn more by visiting www.delmar.edu/degrees/automotive-applied-technology/index.html or contacting the Architecture, Aviation and Automotive Department at 361-698-1725 or pcreacy@delmar.edu.
Fall 2025 registration is currently underway with classes beginning Monday, Aug. 25. Learn more by visiting www.delmar.edu/registration or contacting the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
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