To enter the AHM program, a student must have an associate degree in an automotive or heavy equipment related technical area or equivalent. Graduates must also complete all Ferris general education requirements as outlined in the General Education section of the University catalog. Highly skilled, automotive body technicians restore cars damaged by accident and corrosion. They straighten bent frames and uni-bodies, align body panels, weld torn metal, remove dents and fill them, repair fiberglass panels, replace badly damaged parts and refinish restored surfaces. As the number of cars on the road increases, so does the need for auto body technicians.
Graduates find jobs in car dealerships, independent body shops and fleet operations.
Students learn to do all tasks safely and with respect for the environment. Many graduates continue for a bachelors degree in automotive and heavy equipment management, which prepares students for advanced jobs in service, management and sales. Students are required to buy hand tools and protective eye devices and to have work uniforms. A high school diploma or its equivalent is needed to enroll. Graduates must complete all Ferris general education requirements as outlined in the General Education section of the University catalog.