Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance: CS
Certificate of Specialization | 12 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial Occupations, and Transportation
Program Description:
Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance Certificate of Specialization teaches students the essential skills needed to gain entry-level employment in the automotive industry. Students will gain a deep understanding of safety procedures used in the automotive industry as well as learn how to perform a comprehensive vehicle inspection. Students will begin to learn how to perform light maintenance on vehicle fluids, steering and suspension components, and alignments.
Locations. This program is offered in its entirety at Forest Park.
Related Programs. The Automotive Technology Department offers an associate and a certificate in the following areas:
Automotive Service, Certificate of Specialization
Automotive Technology, Associate in Applied Science
Automotive Technology, Certificate of Proficiency
Financial Aid. This Certificate of Specialization is not eligible for financial aid.
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- demonstrate how to properly lift and support a vehicle using a drive-on and two-post style lift.
- demonstrate proper waste handling practices and clean shop practices.
- inspect different automotive fluid types and their condition.
- inspect suspension, chassis, and brake components using Missouri Safety Inspection guidelines.
- service a tire and wheel assembly to include replacing or repairing the tire, balancing the assembly, and reprogramming the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
- remove and replace worn steering and suspension components.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | ||
| AUT 101 | Automotive Fundamentals and Service Information | 3 |
| AUT 103 | Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance | 3 |
| AUT 105 | Automotive Maintenance and Service | 3 |
| AUT 107 | Automotive Steering and Suspension Service | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Full-Time Academic Plan (Day Program)
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2025, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| AUT 101 | Automotive Fundamentals and Service Information | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Exploratory Course, Gateway Course, Critical Course |
| AUT 103 | Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in AUT 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| AUT 105 | Automotive Maintenance and Service | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in AUT 101 and AUT 103 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| AUT 107 | Automotive Steering and Suspension Service | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in AUT 101, AUT 103, AUT 105 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Apply for graduation. |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |||
Critical Courses: Critical courses are most important to a student's declared major and most strongly predict later success in the major. A critical course requires a minimal grade to progress to higher-level courses.
Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses are first-semester courses that introduce the program and career field.
Gateway Courses: Gateway courses are courses in many career pathways that must be completed before progression in higher-level courses. These may be the same as critical and/or exploratory courses.
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.
Part-Time Academic Plan (Evening Program)
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2025, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| AUT 101 | Automotive Fundamentals and Service Information | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Exploratory Course, Gateway Course, Critical Course |
| AUT 103 | Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in AUT 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| AUT 105 | Automotive Maintenance and Service | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in AUT 101 and AUT 103 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| AUT 107 | Automotive Steering and Suspension Service | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in AUT 101, AUT 103, AUT 105 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Apply for graduation. |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |||
Critical Courses: Critical courses are most important to a student's declared major and most strongly predict later success in the major. A critical course requires a minimal grade to progress to higher-level courses.
Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses are first-semester courses that introduce the program and career field.
Gateway Courses: Gateway courses are courses in many career pathways that must be completed before progression in higher-level courses. These may be the same as critical and/or exploratory courses.
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.