3 Best Auto Mechanic Schools in Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College was formerly a Columbus Area Technician’s School founded in 1963.

It was renamed to  Columbus Technical Institute in 1965 and renamed to its current name in 1987.

It is now a public community college in Columbus, OH, growing its initial enrollment from 67 students in 1963 to 45,000 full- and part-time students on its two campuses.

The school offers various types of degrees, including:

• Associate of Arts and Associate of Science (Degree-to-Degree Transfer Programs)
• Associate of Applied Science (Career Programs, including certificates)
• Associate of Technical Studies (Career Programs with individualized degrees).

It offers more than 200 transfer opportunities with transfer agreements with many institutions to transition to a four-year university.

The school provides comprehensive two-year career programs across over 50 areas, including business, health, public service, human service, engineering technologies, and facility maintenance.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Columbus State’s Automotive Technology offers two degree programs and an alternative training certificate.

Here are the programs offered:

• Automotive Technology – Ford ASSET Program (Degree)
  Automotive Technology AAS (Degree)
  Master Automotive Service Technician (MAST) Certificate
• Automotive Service Technician (AST) Certificate
• Alternative Energy Automotive Technician
• FORD Maintenance and Light Repair (FORD-MLR) Certificate
• Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) Certificate
• The program combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences.

It readies graduates for diverse opportunities in new car dealerships, independent repair shops, and fleet repair facilities.

It also helps students prepare for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exams.

Students can pursue an associate’s degree, complete certificates, or take individual courses to align with their educational and career objectives.

Ricart Automotive Group is a premier dealership offering new and used cars founded in 1953 by the late Paul F. Ricart.

It started after Ricart bought a small Ford dealership in Canal Winchester and expanded it to Route 33 at Bowen Road.

He established his business catering to residents and the U.S. Airmen from Lockbourne Air Force Base.

Under his leadership, it gained recognition as Central Ohio’s low-price dealer and expanded its vision in the 60s.

He built the third Ricart Ford at the present site of Ricart Mega Mall on Route 33 and Hamilton Road.

Ricart Automotive provides a one-stop shopping experience with various vehicles from Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC.

Additionally, The Used Car Factory features a selection of pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs.

It is committed to enhancing customer service with its cutting-edge heavy-duty and diesel repair facilities at the Ricart Super Duty Center.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Ricart Automotive offers Tech Career Path in Automotive with various programs to help individuals interested in furthering their automotive technician careers.

It offers the Ford Automotive Student Service Education Training (ASSET) program if you’re keen on servicing Ford vehicles.

Graduates will get 100% of the necessary Ford technical training certifications for warranty repairs.

Ricart also provides training in Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Genesis, or the Ricart Used Car Factory following a distinct development plan.

Students will engage in classroom study twice a week in the dealership for 3 to 4 days and training and mentorship from a master-level technician for 40 hours per week.

Columbus City Schools is the largest school district in Ohio. Established in 1945, it serves 46,000 students across 113 schools.

The school aims to highly educate each student, preparing them for leadership and service in a global community under Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman and a seven-member Board of Education guidance.

With a diverse student population, Columbus City Schools serve students from nearly one million people in Columbus.

Students in approximately 30,000 households speak 95 languages from 104 countries, with the top non-English languages being Spanish, Somali, Nepali, Arabic, and French.

Special needs students constitute 18%, and gifted students make up 7% of the population.

Columbus City Schools’ Strategic Priorities focus on Whole-student trust and support and Strong Learning Communities in Every Region.

Also, Authentic Engagement seeks the active involvement of all stakeholders to build student trust and support.

It also participates in the federal complimentary breakfast and lunch program, providing over 7.7 million meals annually and 45,000 daily to PreK-12 students.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Columbus City Schools collaborates with Fort Hayes Career Center to offer Automotive programs under its Career-Technical Education department.

It provides two Automotive programs: the Automotive Collision Repair Program and the Automotive Technology Program.

The Automotive Collision Repair Program studies vehicle design, manufacturing, and fundamental collision repair and refinishing technologies. Students will learn the correct utilization of tools, equipment, and materials.

Courses:

• Collision Electrical & Mechanical Systems
• Collision Structural Inspection & Repair
• Collision Nonstructural Inspection & Repair
• Collision Painting & Refinishing

The Automotive Technology Program provides essential skills for an entry-level role in auto mechanics, covering alignment, steering, braking systems, and electronics.

Courses:

• Ground Transportation Maintenance
• Ground Transportation Electrical Electronic
• Automotive Braking, Suspension
• Steering Systems (Undercarriage Systems)
• Automotive Engine Performance

Upon completing each program, students will receive industry certification and the option for college credit.