4 Best Auto Mechanic Schools in St. Louis, MO

St. Louis Community College is a public community college in St. Louis, MO, founded in 1962.

It stands as the largest educational institution in the region and the second-largest in Missouri, catering to the needs of over 1.3 million students.

STLCC has four campuses with two education centers and two workforce training centers accessible for St. Louis City and St. Louis County, including Franklin and Jefferson counties.

For over 50 years, it has continuously provided degrees meeting employers and public demand for a four-year university.

The school offers 80 career-focused programs preparing students for skills and high-wage, in-demand careers in the real world with 15 college transfer options.

Today, STLCC provides various options, including associate degrees, certificates, college transfer programs, and workforce training.

Its commitment to empowering students for improved careers, pursuing four-year degrees, and enhancing lives contributes to St. Louis’s progress, impacting one student at a time.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools continuously provides high-quality education for all.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

STLCC offers four automotive programs with one AAS degree in Automotive Technology and three certificates in the following areas:

• Automotive Service, Certificate of Specialization
• Automotive Technology, Certificate of Proficiency
• Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance, Certificate of Specialization

The AAS degree combines automotive training and general courses with eight Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) areas of specialization.

Automotive Service Certificate of Specialization covers essential skills needed in services in Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

It includes brakes, electrical, mechanical, and engine performance for an entry-level position.

Automotive Technology Certificate of Proficiency focuses on automotive training in the services and repair industry.

Students are trained in eight specialized Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) areas.

Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance Certificate of Specialization will focus on the safety procedures in the automotive industry.

It also performs comprehensive vehicle inspection and light vehicle maintenance in alignments, steering & suspension components, and vehicle fluids.

Ranken Technical College at St. Louis campus has operated in the exact location for over a century.

The campus facilities reflect its history and commitment to continuously offering superior training in automotive with advanced equipment.

Over the years, its campus has expanded, including Ranken-West in Wentzville, the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, Ranken-Southeast in Perryville, Ranken-West campus, the Mary Ann Lee Technology Center, and Troy, MO.

The school prepares students for success in the real world through its blended education.

It combines classroom instruction, lab, and shop settings to ensure students are highly skilled to excel in their careers.

Students will spend 15 hours a week with hands-on work guided by expert instructors. Ranken focuses on preparing students to succeed at entry level.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, it continuously provides hands-on training and in-demand careers.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Ranken Technical College offers an Automotive Maintenance Technology (AMT) program spanning four semesters.

It imparts extensive knowledge and skills essential for today’s leading automotive manufacturers and service facilities.

Here are the following topics covered in the program:

• Engine Repair
• Engine performance
• Suspension and steering
• Manual drivetrain and axles
• Brakes
• Automatic transmission/transaxle
• Heating and air conditioning
• Electrical/electronic systems

Ranken also offers brand-specific programs for Certified Dealership Technician tracks for students interested in the region’s auto manufacturers.

• Automotive Import Technology: Combines Toyota’s Technical
• Education Network (T-TEN) and Honda Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT)
• General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (GM ASEP)
• Nissan Technician Training Academy (NTTA)
• Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET)

Students will also gain real-world experience within the last 40 days of the program with its on-site automotive practicum serving and repairing customers’ vehicles.

South Technical High School, in Saint Louis, Missouri, is a public school in the St. Louis County Special School District.

It provides real-world skills and experiences with hands-on learning to prepare students for college and careers.

The school offers tuition-free career and technical education (CTE) majors.

It allows students to explore career interests while earning industry certifications, college and high school credits, and lifelong skills before graduating.

The school collaborates with business and industry partners to provide students mentorship, apprenticeships, internships, scholarships, part-time and full-time employment after high school.

Its partial-day schedule is convenient to keep students engaged in their academics and activities while learning at Tech’s elective courses.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

South Technical High School offers an Automotive Technology program driven by four main vehicle operation systems.

It includes suspension, steering, brakes, engine performance, and electrical/electronics.

Students will learn how to diagnose, service, and repair various vehicles guided by an ASE-certified Master Technician instructor.

They will also have the opportunity to earn valuable credits and certifications, enhancing their educational and career prospects.

High school credits include 3 CTE units for Year One and Year Two.

College credit options are also available through partnerships with Ranken Technical College and State Technical College, recognizing students’ prior learning and assessments.

Certifications earned cover a range of essential skills, including Automobile Service Excellence (ASE) Student Certification in Brakes, Electrical, Engine Performance, and Suspension.

The program also offers S/P2 Safety Certification and Snap-On Certification, providing students with a comprehensive skill set for success in the automotive industry.

Jefferson College started with Senate Bill Number Seven by Senator Earl Blackwell of Hillsboro, MO, in 1961.

In 1963, the citizens recognized the community’s need for public junior colleges.

The citizens organized and voted to petition the State Board of Education to form a junior College District.

The school was the second junior college district in Missouri that was approved.

Its first-class offerings were in 1964, which were college transfer courses.

New programs were added when enrollment rose, and the Vocational-Technical Division was created.

In 1965, it was the first community college in Missouri designated as a vocational school.

Today, the school is expanding and has opened several campuses, including JC Online, as a virtual campus.

Jefferson College keeps thriving, making higher education more accessible, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

About The Auto Mechanic Program

Jefferson College Automotive Technology program will train students to prepare for employment in the automotive services industry.

The program blends the study of college-level general education courses with extensive coursework in automotive theory and lab classes.

Here are the courses included in the program:

• Automotive Shop Safety
• Automotive Brake Systems
• Automotive Industry Management Fundamentals
• Automotive Brake Systems Lab
• Automotive Steering and Suspension Systems & Lab
• Automotive Engine Repair & Lab
• Introduction to Engine Performance & Lab
• Basic Electrical/Electronics Systems & Lab
• Advanced Engine Performance & Lab
• Advanced Electrical/Electronics Systems & Lab
• Driveline Diagnosis and Service & Lab
• Automotive Heating/AC Systems & Lab

To graduate, students must complete 15 credit hours at Jefferson College as a residency requirement for graduation.